Kentucky requires a license to carry a firearm concealed on or about one's 
person.  The State Police issue such permits through the local sheriff of the 
applicant's home county for a five year term.  Kentucky does not grant permits to 
nonresidents but will recognize any permit issued by another state.  Kentucky 
licenses allow the concealed carry of any deadly weapon by the permittee.

            A traveler without a permit may carry loaded firearms in a vehicle if the 
weapons are in plain view.  Kentucky allows anyone to carry a loaded handgun in a 
visible belt holster or on the dashboard or passenger seat of one's car.  Glove 
compartment carry is also considered legitimate as long the compartment is of the 
factory-installed variety on the passenger's side.  Console boxes and seat pockets 
are not legitimate areas for unlicensed carry.  Carrying a handgun in one of these 
areas is the same as placing the weapon under the seat.  Both modes of carry are 
limited to persons possessing carry licenses.  Rifles and shotguns may be carried 
loaded and in plain view.  The weapons may be secured in gun racks, gun slings, or 
commercial gun cases located anywhere in the vehicle except concealed about the person.

            Travelers may carry loaded firearms in plain view while on foot in virtually any 
public area of the state.  Such carry is best limited to visible belt holsters secured on 
one's hip.  Kentucky's strong preemption law prevents this activity, as well as most 
others involving firearms, from being locally regulated.  Recently, employers were
further prohibited from preventing employees from carrying firearms in their vehicles
while the vehicles are parked on company property.