Kentucky Laws & Penal Code

Selling or trading goods and/or services for pistols, hunting rifles, or low-capacity shotguns without a permit is prohibited unless conducted with a permitted notary performing due process.

Up to $700 Fine + 6 Months in Jail

Any person selling or trading goods and/or services for high capacity or automatic firearms without a permit shall be guilty of a felony.

Up to $4,000 Fine + 12 Months in Jail

A handgun is any firearm designed to be held by one hand and does not have the ability to sustain fire through the holding of the trigger, using small caliber ammunition. A handgun must be regulated or registered regardless of capacity.

Up to $300 Fine + 12 Months Jail

A non-automatic rifle is any firearm designed to be held with two hands that does not possess the capability to sustain fire through holding down the trigger. A non-automatic rifle is not to be regulated unless it has a capacity over 1 round.

$300 Fine + 12 Months Jail

An automatic rifle is any firearm that has the ability to load another round into the chamber without a manual action and sustain fire through holding down the trigger, designed to be held by two hands.

$700 Fine + 20 Months Jail

A shotgun is any firearm with a smoothbore barrel, without the ability to sustain fire without a manual action, designed to be held by two hands, capable of firing a cartridge with multiple projectiles. A shotgun must be regulated or registered regardless of capacity.

$300 Fine + 12 Months Jail

A self-loading shotgun is any smoothbore-barrel firearm that has the ability to sustain fire without a manual action, designed to be held by two hands, capable of firing multiple projectiles. Must be regulated or registered.

$700 Fine + 20 Months Jail

An automatic handgun is any pistol designed to sustain fire through holding down the trigger, allowing for continuous discharge. Prohibited unless owner is permitted by the state and has the firearm registered.

$500 Fine + 12 Months Jail

A submachine gun is any firearm that would be classified as an automatic handgun but is designed to be held with two hands. Prohibited unless owner is permitted by the state and has the firearm registered.

$500 Fine + 12 Months Jail

A machine gun is any firearm designed to fire continuously and not to be carried. Any firearm capable of being carried that can sustain fire and is designed not to be carried is still a machine gun. Prohibited by Kentucky State Law.

$1,500 Fine + 30 Months Jail

An explosive launcher is any firearm designed to discharge or expel an explosive device. Prohibited by Kentucky Law.

$1,500 Fine + 30 Months Jail

Any firearm used or possessed in violation of state law may be immediately confiscated by law enforcement. Confiscated weapons may be destroyed, auctioned, or held as evidence, depending on the case outcome.

Repeat offenders may face escalating fines and jail sentences. Multiple violations of firearms regulations may result in permanent bans on owning firearms and additional penalties, including extended jail time of up to 5 years for severe infractions.

All firearms that require registration must be reported to local authorities within 30 days of acquisition. Failure to do so will result in increased fines and potential criminal charges for continued non-compliance.

Kentucky requires all individuals purchasing or owning firearms to undergo a thorough background check, including screening for prior criminal records, mental health issues, and history of violence. Failure to comply may result in firearm confiscation and fines up to $1,500.

Using any firearm (whether registered or not) in the commission of a crime will result in automatic weapon confiscation, a minimum fine of $2,000, and jail sentences starting at 24 months. Penalties will increase based on the severity of the crime committed.