OFFENSES RELATING TO FIREARMS AND WEAPONS

KRS tit. L, ch. 527

in effect

KRS 527.010 Definitions for chapter

527.010. Definitions for chapter The following definitions apply in this chapter unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Booby trap device" shall have the same meaning as set forth in KRS 237.030. (2) "Deface" means to remove, deface, cover, alter, or destroy the manufacturer's serial number or any other distinguishing number or identification mark. (3) "Destructive device" shall have the same meaning as set forth in KRS 237.030. (4) "Firearm" means any weapon which will expel a projectile by the action of an explosive. (5) "Handgun" means any pistol or revolver originally designed to be fired by the use of a single hand, or any other firearm originally designed to be fired by the use of a single hand. Effective: July 15, 1994 History: Amended 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 391, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1994. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 406, sec. 234, effective January 1, 1975.

KRS 527.020 Carrying concealed deadly weapon

527.020. Carrying concealed deadly weapon (1) A person is guilty of carrying a concealed weapon when he or she carries concealed a firearm or other deadly weapon on or about his or her person in violation of this section. (2) Peace officers and certified court security officers, when necessary for their protection in the discharge of their official duties; United States mail carriers when actually engaged in their duties; and agents and messengers of express companies, when necessary for their protection in the discharge of their official duties, may carry concealed weapons on or about their person. (3) The director of the Division of Law Enforcement in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, game wardens of the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, and policemen directly employed by state, county, city, or urban-county governments may carry concealed deadly weapons on or about their person at all times within the Commonwealth of Kentucky, when expressly authorized to do so by law or by the government employing the officer. (4) Persons carrying concealed weapons in accordance with KRS 237.109 or licensed to carry a concealed deadly weapon pursuant to KRS 237.110 may carry a concealed firearm or other concealed deadly weapon on or about their persons at all times within the Commonwealth of Kentucky, if the firearm or concealed deadly weapon is carried in conformity with the requirements of KRS 237.109 or 237.110. Unless otherwise specifically provided by the Kentucky Revised Statutes or applicable federal law, no criminal penalty shall attach to carrying a concealed firearm or other deadly weapon at any location at which an unconcealed firearm or other deadly weapon may be constitutionally carried. No person or organization, public or private, shall prohibit a person from possessing a firearm, ammunition, or both, or other deadly weapon in his or her vehicle in compliance with the provisions of KRS 237.109, 237.110, and 237.115. Any attempt by a person or organization, public or private, to violate the provisions of this subsection may be the subject of an action for appropriate relief or for damages in a Circuit Court or District Court of competent jurisdiction. (5) (a) The following persons, if they hold a license to carry a concealed deadly weapon pursuant to KRS 237.110 or 237.138 to 237.142, may carry a firearm or other concealed deadly weapon on or about their persons at all times and at all locations within the Commonwealth of Kentucky, without any limitation other than as provided in this subsection: 1. A Commonwealth's attorney or assistant Commonwealth's attorney; 2. A retired Commonwealth's attorney or retired assistant Commonwealth's attorney; 3. A county attorney or assistant county attorney; 4. A retired county attorney or retired assistant county attorney; 5. A justice or judge of the Court of Justice; 6. A retired or senior status justice or judge of the Court of Justice; and 7. A retired peace officer who holds a concealed deadly weapon license issued pursuant to the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act, 18 U.S.C. sec. 926C, and KRS 237.138 to 237.142. (b) The provisions of this subsection shall not authorize a person specified in this subsection to carry a concealed deadly weapon in a detention facility as defined in KRS 520.010 or on the premises of a detention facility without the permission of the warden, jailer, or other person in charge of the facility, or the permission of a person authorized by the warden, jailer, or other person in charge of the detention facility to give such permission. As used in this section, "detention facility" does not include courtrooms, facilities, or other premises used by the Court of Justice or administered by the Administrative Office of the Courts. (c) A person specified in this section who is issued a concealed deadly weapon license shall be issued a license which bears on its face the statement that it is valid at all locations within the Commonwealth of Kentucky and may have such other identifying characteristics as determined by the Department of Kentucky State Police. (6) (a) Except as provided in this subsection, the following persons may carry concealed deadly weapons on or about their person at all times and at all locations within the Commonwealth of Kentucky: 1. An elected sheriff and full -time and part-time deputy sheriffs certified pursuant to KRS 15.380 to 15.404 when expressly authorized to do so by the unit of government employing the officer; 2. An elected jailer and a deputy jailer who has successfully completed Department of Corrections basic training and maintains his or her current in-service training when expressly authorized to do so by the jailer; and 3. The department head or any employee of a corrections department in any jurisdiction where the office of elected jailer has been merged with the office of sheriff who has successfully completed Department of Corrections basic training and maintains his or her current in -service training when expressly authorized to do so by the unit of government by which he or she is employed. (b) The provisions of this subsection shall not authorize a person specified in this subsection to carry a concealed deadly weapon in a detention facility as defined in KRS 520.010 or on the premises of a deten tion facility without the permission of the warden, jailer, or other person in charge of the facility, or the permission of a person authorized by the warden, jailer, or other person in charge of the detention facility to give such permission. As used in t his section, "detention facility" does not include courtrooms, facilities, or other premises used by the Court of Justice or administered by the Administrative Office of the Courts. (7) (a) A full-time paid peace officer of a government agency from another state or territory of the United States or an elected sheriff from another territory of the United States may carry a concealed deadly weapon in Kentucky, on or off duty, if the other state or territory accords a Kentucky full -time paid peace officer and a Kentucky elected sheriff the same rights by law. If the other state or territory limits a Kentucky full-time paid peace officer or elected sheriff to carrying a concealed deadly weapon while on duty, then that same restriction shall apply to a full-time paid peace officer or elected sheriff from that state or territory. (b) The provisions of this subsection shall not authorize a person specified in this subsection to carry a concealed deadly weapon in a detention facility as defined in KRS 520.010 or on the premises of a detention facility without the permission of the warden, jailer, or other person in charge of the facility, or the permission of a person authorized by the warden, jailer, or other person in charge of the detention facility to give such permission. As used in this section, "detention facility" does not include courtrooms, facilities, or other premises used by the Court of Justice or administered by the Administrative Office of the Courts. (8) A loaded or unloaded firearm or other deadly weapon shall not be deemed concealed on or about the person if it is located in any enclosed container, compartment, or storage space installed as original equipment in a motor vehicle by its manufacturer, including but not limited to a glove compartment, center console, or seat pocket, regardless of whether said enclosed container, storage space, or compartment is locked, unlocked, or does not have a locking mechanism. No person or organization, public or private, shall prohibit a person from keeping a loaded or unloaded firearm or ammunition, or both, or other deadly weapon in a vehicle in accordance with the provisions of this subsection. Any attempt by a person or organization, public or private, to violate the provisions of this subsection may be the subject of an action for appropriate relief or for damages in a Circuit Court or District Court of competent jurisdiction. This subsection shall not apply to any person prohibited from possessing a firearm pursuant to KRS 527.040. (9) The provisions of this section shall not apply to a person who carries a concealed deadly weapon on or about his or her person: (a) If he or she is the owner of the property or has the permission of the owner of the property, on real property which he or she or his or her spouse, parent, grandparent, or child owns; (b) If he or she is the lessee of the property or has the permission of the lessee of the property, on real property which he or she or his or her spouse, parent, grandparent, or child occupies pursuant to a lease; or (c) If he or she is the sole proprietor of the business, on real property owned or leased by the business. (10) Carrying a concealed weapon is a Class A misdemeanor, unless the defendant has been previously convicted of a felony in which a deadly weapon was possessed, used, or displayed, in which case it is a Class D felony. Effective: July 15, 2024 History: Amended 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 159, sec. 24, effective July 15, 2024. -- Amended 2019 Ky. Acts ch. 10, sec. 2, effective June 27, 2019. -- Amended 2014 Ky. Acts ch. 120, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2014. -- Amended 2012 Ky. Acts ch. 62, sec. 1, effective July 12, 2012; and ch. 109, sec. 1, effective July 12, 2012. -- Amended 2011 Ky. Acts ch. 64, sec. 1, effective June 8, 2011. -- Amended 2007 Ky. Acts ch. 54, sec. 14, effective June 26, 2007; and ch. 85, sec. 329, effective June 26, 2007. -- Amended 2005 Ky. Acts ch. 182, sec. 17, effective March 31, 2005. -- Amended 2002 Ky. Acts ch. 368, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2002. -- Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 119, sec. 3, effective October 1, 1996. -- Amended 1978 Ky. Acts ch. 342, sec. 2, effective June 17, 1978. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 406, sec. 235, effective January 1, 1975.

KRS 527.030 Defacing a firearm

527.030. Defacing a firearm (1) A person is guilty of defacing a firearm when he intentionally defaces a firearm. (2) Defacing a firearm is a Class A misdemeanor. Effective: January 1, 1975 History: Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 406, sec. 236, effective January 1, 1975.

KRS 527.040 Possession of firearm by convicted felon -- Exceptions -- Applicability to youthful offenders

527.040. Possession of firearm by convicted felon -- Exceptions -- Applicability to youthful offenders (1) A person is guilty of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon when he possesses, manufactures, or transports a firearm when he has been convicted of a felony, as defined by the laws of the jurisdiction in which he was convicted, in any state or federal court and has not: (a) Been granted a full pardon by the Governor or by the President of the United States; or (b) Been granted relief by the United States Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to the Federal Gun Control Act of 1968, as amended. (2) (a) Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon is a Class D felony unless the firearm possessed is a handgun in which case it is a Class C felony. (b) If a felon is convicted of a criminal offense other than possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and he or she possessed a firearm in commission of that offense, then the felon shall be penalized for violating this section one (1) class more severely if it is a second or subsequent violation of this section. (3) The provisions of this section shall apply to any youthful offender convicted of a felony offense under the laws of this Commonwealth. The exceptions contained in KRS 527.100 prohibiting possession of a handgun by a minor shall not apply to this section. (4) The provisions of this section with respect to handguns, shall apply only to persons convicted after January 1, 1975, and with respect to other firearms, to persons convicted after July 15, 1994. Effective: July 14, 2018 History: Amended 2018 Ky. Acts ch. 123, sec. 1, effective July 14, 2018. -- Amended 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 30, sec. 3, effective July 15, 1994; and ch. 396, sec. 10, effective July 15, 1994. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 406, sec. 237, effective January 1, 1975.

KRS 527.050 Possession of defaced firearm

527.050. Possession of defaced firearm (1) A person is guilty of possession of a defaced firearm when he knowingly possesses a defaced firearm unless he makes a report to the police or other appropriate government agency of such possession prior to arrest or authorization of a warrant by a court. (2) Possession of a defaced firearm is a Class A misdemeanor. Effective: January 1, 1975 History: Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 406, sec. 238, effective January 1, 1975.

KRS 527.060 Forfeiture

527.060. Forfeiture Upon the conviction of any person for the violation of any law of this Commonwealth in which a deadly weapon was used, displayed or unlawfully possessed by such person the court shall order the weapon forfeited to the state and sold, destroyed or otherwise disposed of in accordance with KRS 500.090. History: Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 406, sec. 239.

KRS 527.070 Unlawful possession of a weapon on school property -- Posting of sign -- Exemptions

527.070. Unlawful possession of a weapon on school property -- Posting of sign -- Exemptions (1) A person is guilty of unlawful possession of a weapon on school property when he knowingly deposits, possesses, or carries, whether openly or concealed, for purposes other than instructional or school-sanctioned ceremonial purposes, or the purposes permitted in subsection (3) of this section, any firearm or other deadly weapon, destructive device, or booby trap device in any public or private school building or bus, on any public or private school campus, grounds, recreation area, athletic field, or any other property owned, used, or operated by any board of education, school, board of trustees, regents, or directors for the administration of any public or private educational institution. The provisions of this section shall not apply to institutions of postsecondary or higher education. (2) Each chief administrator of a public or private school shall display about the school in prominent locations, including, but not limited to, sports arenas, gymnasiums, stadiums, and cafeterias, a sign at least six (6) inches high and fourteen (14) inches wide stating: UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A WEAPON ON SCHOOL PROPERTY IN KENTUCKY IS A FELONY PUNISHABLE BY A MAXIMUM OF FIVE (5) YEARS IN PRISON AND A TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR ($10,000) FINE. Failure to post the sign shall not relieve any person of liability under this section. (3) The provisions of this section prohibiting the unlawful possession of a weapon on school property shall not apply to: (a) An adult who is not a pupil of any secondary school and who possesses a firearm, if the firearm is contained within a vehicle operated by the adult and is not removed from the vehicle, except for a purpose permitted herein, or brandished by the adult, or by any other person acting with expressed or implied consent of the adult, while the vehicle is on school property; (b) Any pupils who are members of the reserve officers training corps or pupils enrolled in a course of instruction or members of a school club or team, to the extent they are required to carry arms or weapons in the discharge of their official class or team duties; (c) Any peace officer or police officer authorized to carry a concealed weapon pursuant to KRS 527.020; (d) Persons employed by the Armed Forces of the United States or members of the National Guard or militia when required in the discharge of their official duties to carry arms or weapons; (e) Civil officers of the United States in the discharge of their official duties. Nothing in this section shall be construed as to allow any person to carry a concealed weapon into a public or private elementary or secondary school building; (f) Any other persons, including, but not limited to, exhibitors of historical displays, who have been authorized to carry a firearm by the board of education or board of trustees of the public or private institution; (g) A person hunting during the lawful hunting season on lands owned by any public or private educational institution and designated as open to hunting by the board of education or board of trustees of the educational institution; (h) A person possessing unloaded hunting weapons while traversing the grounds of any public or private educational institution for the purpose of gaining access to public or private lands open to hunting with the intent to hunt on the public or private lands, unless the lands of the educational institution are posted prohibiting the entry; or (i) A person possessing guns or knives when conducting or attending a "gun and knife show" when the program has been approved by the board of education or board of trustees of the educational institution. (4) Unlawful possession of a weapon on school property is a Class D felony. Effective: June 27, 2019 History: Amended 2019 Ky. Acts ch. 111, sec. 1, effective June 27, 2019. -- Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 119, sec. 4, effective October 1, 1996. -- Created 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 391, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1994.

KRS 527.080 Using restricted ammunition during the commission of a crime -- Exception

527.080. Using restricted ammunition during the commission of a crime -- Exception (1) A person is guilty of using restricted ammunition during the commission of a crime when he commits any felony offense under this code and is armed at the time of the commission of the offense or in the immediate flight therefrom with a firearm loaded, as defined in KRS 237.060, with armor-piercing ammunition as defined in KRS 237.060 or flanged ammunition as defined in KRS 237.060. (2) Using restricted ammunition during the commission of a crime is: (a) A Class D felony if no shot is fired; (b) A Class C felony if a shot is fired and no person is killed or wounded thereby; (c) A Class B felony if a shot is fired and a person other than the defendant or an accomplice of the defendant is wounded by the shot; and (d) A Class A felony if a shot is fired and a person other than the defendant or an accomplice of the defendant is killed by the shot. (3) The provisions of this section are intended to be a separate offense from the underlying crime, which shall be punished separately. If a person is convicted of this offense, his sentence shall be served consecutively to the sentence for the underlying offense. (4) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any person who is justified in acting pursuant to the provisions of KRS Chapter 503. Effective: July 15, 1996 History: Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 191, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1996. -- Created 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 396, sec. 15, effective July 15, 1994.

KRS 527.090 Fraudulent firearm transaction

527.090. Fraudulent firearm transaction (1) As used in this section: (a) "Licensed dealer" means a person who is licensed pursuant to 18 U.S.C. sec. 923 and pursuant to any laws of this Commonwealth and engages in the business of dealing in firearms; (b) "Materially false information" means information that portrays an illegal transaction as legal or a legal transaction as illegal; and (c) "Private seller" means a person who sells or offers for sale any firearm. (2) A person is guilty of fraudulent firearm transaction when he or she knowingly: (a) Solicits, persuades, encourages, or entices a licensed dealer or private seller of firearms to transfer a firearm under circumstances which the person knows would violate the laws of this Commonwealth or the United States; (b) Provides to a licensed dealer or private seller of firearms what the person knows to be materially false information with intent to deceive the dealer or seller about the legality of a transfer of a firearm; or (c) Procures another to engage in conduct prohibited by this section. (3) Fraudulent firearm transaction is a Class D felony. Effective: July 12, 2012 History: Created 2012 Ky. Acts ch. 121, sec. 1, effective July 12, 2012.

KRS 527.100 Possession of handgun by minor

527.100. Possession of handgun by minor (1) A person is guilty of possession of a handgun by a minor when, being under the age of eighteen (18) years, he possesses, manufactures, or transports a handgun as defined by KRS 527.010, except when the person is: (a) In attendance at a hunter's safety course or a firearms safety course; (b) Engaging in practice in the use of a firearm, or target shooting at an established firing range, or any other area where the discharge of a firearm is not prohibited; (c) Engaging in an organized competition involving the use of a firearm, or participating in or practicing for a performance by a group organized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or any successor thereto which uses firearms as a part of the performance; (d) Hunting or trapping pursuant to a valid license issued to him pursuant to the statutes or administrative regulations of this Commonwealth; (e) Traveling to or from any activity described in paragraphs (a) to (d) of this subsection with any unloaded handgun in his possession; (f) On real property which is under the control of an adult and has the permission of that adult and his parent or legal guardian to possess a handgun; or (g) At his residence and with the permission of his parent or legal guardian possesses a handgun and is justified under the principles of justification set forth in KRS Chapter 503 in using physical force or deadly physical force. (2) For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section, a handgun is "loaded" if: (a) There is a cartridge in the chamber of the handgun; or (b) There is a cartridge in the cylinder of the handgun, if the handgun is a revolver; or (c) There is a cartridge in the magazine of a semiautomatic handgun, if the magazine is attached to the handgun; or (d) The handgun and the ammunition for the handgun, are carried on the person of one under the age of eighteen (18) years or are in such close proximity to him that he could readily gain access to the handgun and the ammunition and load the handgun. (3) Possession of a handgun by a minor is a Class A misdemeanor for the first offense and a Class D felony for each subsequent offense. Effective: July 15, 1994 History: Created 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 30, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1994.

KRS 527.110 Unlawfully providing handgun to juvenile or permitting juvenile to possess handgun

527.110. Unlawfully providing handgun to juvenile or permitting juvenile to possess handgun (1) A person is guilty of unlawfully providing a handgun to a juvenile or permitting a juvenile to possesses a handgun when he: (a) Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly provides a handgun, with or without remuneration, in violation of KRS 527.040, 527.100, or 600.020 to any person he knows or has reason to believe is under the age of eighteen (18) years; or (b) Is the parent or legal guardian of a juvenile and intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly provides a handgun to the juvenile or permits the juvenile to possess a handgun knowing that there is a substantial risk that the juvenile will use a handgun to commit a felony offense; or, with knowledge that the juvenile has been convicted of a crime of violence as defined in KRS 439.3401 or has been adjudicated a public offender of an offense which would constitute a crime of violence as defined in KRS 439.3401, provides a handgun to that juvenile. (2) Unlawfully providing a hand gun to a juvenile or permitting a juvenile to possess a handgun is a Class D felony. Effective: July 15, 1994 History: Created 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 30, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1994.

KRS 527.200 Use of a weapon of mass destruction in the first degree

527.200. Use of a weapon of mass destruction in the first degree (1) A person is guilty of use of a weapon of mass destruction in the first degree when he or she intentionally, without lawful authority, places a weapon of mass destruction at any location in the Commonwealth and, as a result, any person other than the defendant is killed or receives serious physical injury. (2) A weapon of mass destruction is used with lawful authority if it is used with the written permission of an agency of the Commonwealth or of a city, county, charter county, or urban-county government having jurisdiction over the use of destructive devices as defined in KRS 237.030 or the use of explosives. (3) Use of a weapon of mass destruction in the first degree is a Class A felony unless a person other than the defendant is killed as a result, in which case it is a capital offense. Effective: June 21, 2001 History: Created 2001 Ky. Acts ch. 113, sec. 4, effective June 21, 2001.

KRS 527.205 Use of a weapon of mass destruction in the second degree

527.205. Use of a weapon of mass destruction in the second degree (1) A person is guilty of use of a weapon of mass destruction in the second degree when intentionally, without lawful authority, he or she: (a) Places a weapon of mass destruction at any location in the Commonwealth and, as a result, any person other than the defendant receives physical injury; or (b) Places a weapon of mass destruction on: 1. The real property or any building of any public or private elementary or secondary school, vocational school, or institution of postsecondary education; 2. A school bus or other vehicle owned, operated, or leased by a school; 3. The real property or any building, public or private, that is the site of an official school-sanctioned function; or 4. The real property or any building owned or leased by a government agency, and no person dies or receives any physical injury. (2) A weapon of mass destruction is used with lawful authority if it is used with the written permission of an agency of the Commonwealth or of a city, county, charter county, or urban-county government having jurisdiction over the use of destructive devices as defined in KRS 237.030 or the use of explosives. (3) Use of a weapon of mass destruction in the second degree is a Class B felony. Effective: June 21, 2001 History: Created 2001 Ky. Acts ch. 113, sec. 5, effective June 21, 2001.

KRS 527.210 Use of a weapon of mass destruction in the third degree

527.210. Use of a weapon of mass destruction in the third degree (1) Except as provided in KRS 527.205, a person is guilty of use of a weapon of mass destruction in the third degree when intentionally, without lawful authority, he or she places a weapon of mass destruction at any location in the Commonwealth. (2) A weapon of mass destruction is used with lawful authority if it is used with the written permission of an agency of the Commonwealth or of a city, county, charter county, or urban-county government having jurisdiction over the use of destructive devices as defined in KRS 237.030 or the use of explosives. (3) Use of a weapon of mass destruction in the third degree is a Class C felony. Effective: June 21, 2001 History: Created 2001 Ky. Acts ch. 113, sec. 6, effective June 21, 2001.

Source: Kentucky Legislative Research Commission (legislature.ky.gov)URL: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/chapter.aspx?id=39394Fetched: 10/20/2026