A Kentucky Firearm Bill of Sale documents a gun’s sale and ownership transfer. It legally records a new owner and helps mitigate risk for both the seller and buyer.
Proper procedures must be followed if you plan to sell a firearm in Kentucky. This is true even if you are a private party selling a gun to a friend or family member.
Kentucky has no waiting period between purchasing the firearm and the actual transfer.
You can purchase a firearm and take it home the same day.
No law requires a record of firearm sales to be sent to any state or local agency in Kentucky.
No background checks or records are necessary.
Firearm laws: K.R.S. 237.104, 18 U.S.C. sec 922(g)(8), KY Rev. Stat. § 237.109
Restrictions: Yes
State permit to purchase: No
Registration of firearm: No
License to own: No
Assault weapon law: No
Magazine capacity restriction: No
Permit for concealed carry: No
Permit for open carry: No
How to Sell a Firearm Privately
Per K.R.S. 237.104 you may sell a firearm privately in the state as long as you are legally able to own one.
Requirements
According to Kentucky law, private individuals are allowed to own firearms and sell them privately. You do not need a formal dealer’s license if you want to sell an old firearm.
You also do not have to require the buyer to register the firearm to make the purchase, and no background checks are needed.
Restrictions
Convicted felons, as well as those convicted of violent misdemeanors, are prohibited from purchasing a firearm per 18 U.S.C. sec 922(g)(8).
In addition, people with domestic violence restraining orders out on them or those with substance abuse disorders cannot purchase a firearm.
Firearm Inheritance Laws
Kentucky has few laws and restrictions regarding transferring firearm ownership or firearm inheritance.
One of the only statutes is that a firearm may not be sold or bequeathed to someone prohibited by federal or state law from owning a gun – usually due to a past criminal record.
If you plan to bequeath a firearm as part of your estate, ensure you have an alternate recipient in case the intended recipient cannot own firearms or consider setting up a gun trust.
Registration
There are no Kentucky laws that require you to register a firearm.
Concealed Carry Permit
Kentucky allows any individual, age 21 or older and otherwise legally able to possess a firearm, to carry concealed firearms without a license (KY Rev. Stat. § 237.109).
In addition, open carry is legal and permissible in Kentucky for those aged 18 or older (KY Rev. Stat. § 527.100).
How to Apply
Even though a concealed carry license is not required in Kentucky, you might still want to apply for a Concealed Carry Deadly Weapon (CCDW) license for use when out of state.
Step 1 – Apply
To apply for concealed carry in Kentucky, you must submit an application with a county sheriff’s office.
Step 2 – Pay Application Fee
You will need to pay a $20 application fee at the time and make a check or money order for $40, payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer.
Your application will need to include the following:
- Your name, address, date of birth, gender, and social security number
- An original color photograph compliant with Kentucky regulations
- A photocopy of a certification of your completion of firearm training courses
Step 3 – Get Approved or Denied
Your sheriff’s office will approve or deny the license within 60 days of receiving your application.
Gun Reciprocity
Kentucky recognizes concealed carry permits from all valid US jurisdictions.
If you have a permit for concealed carry in another state, this will also apply in Kentucky. Likewise, a Kentucky concealed carry permit is reciprocal in all states and jurisdictions except for:
- California
- Connecticut
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York (including New York City)
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Washington
- Washington DC.
The following states recognize a concealed carry permit from Kentucky, with certain restrictions:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Florida
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Maine
- Michigan
- Missouri
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Kentucky Firearm Bill of Sale Sample
Below is an example of a Kentucky firearm bill of sale.
