Is a Hawaii Non-Resident Permit Valid in Kentucky?

Why

• Hawaii does not issue carry permits to non-residents (applicants must document that they currently live in hawaii (hrs 134-9(a)(5), per hawaii county pd 2025 rules); maui pd requires being 'a resident of the state of hawaii'; hawaii county requires county residency. citizen, us national, or lawful permanent resident required).

KSP: 'A person who is not a resident of Kentucky and who has a valid license issued by another state... may carry a concealed deadly weapon in Kentucky.' Recognition covers deadly weapons generally, not just handguns. New Kentucky residents' out-of-state licenses stay valid for 120 days if they file the KSP form within 60 days of moving.

Carry rules in Kentucky

Kentucky's rules control while you're there. These are the ones travelers trip over most.

• No Kentucky statute or KSP guidance imposes a proactive duty to inform an officer that you are carrying.
• Kentucky sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• Kentucky allows permitless concealed carry from age 21 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
• A firearm in any enclosed container, compartment or storage space installed as original equipment (e.g. glove box or console) is not considered concealed and is lawful for anyone who may possess it, loaded or not; persons 21+ may also carry on-body permitless.

Off-limits places in Kentucky

• Police stations and sheriff's offices
• Detention facilities, prisons and jails
• Courthouses and courtrooms
• Portions of establishments primarily devoted to selling alcoholic beverages
• Meetings of governing bodies of local governments and the General Assembly
• Elementary/secondary schools, child-care facilities and secured airport areas

Frequently asked questions

Is a Hawaii non-resident permit valid in Kentucky?

Hawaii has no non-resident permit program (applicants must document that they currently live in Hawaii (HRS 134-9(a)(5), per Hawaii County PD 2025 rules); Maui PD requires being 'a resident of the state of Hawaii'; Hawaii County requires county residency. Citizen, US national, or lawful permanent resident required). Travelers who want multi-state coverage usually pair their home-state permit with a widely honored non-resident permit from another state.

Do I have to tell police in Kentucky that I am carrying?

No Kentucky statute or KSP guidance imposes a proactive duty to inform an officer that you are carrying.

Does Kentucky limit magazine capacity?

Kentucky sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.

Can I carry in Kentucky without any permit?

Kentucky allows permitless concealed carry from age 21 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.

Does Hawaii issue non-resident carry permits?

No. Hawaii issues carry permits to residents only (applicants must document that they currently live in Hawaii (HRS 134-9(a)(5), per Hawaii County PD 2025 rules); Maui PD requires being 'a resident of the state of Hawaii'; Hawaii County requires county residency. Citizen, US national, or lawful permanent resident required). Non-residents who want multi-state coverage usually obtain a non-resident permit from a state that offers one, such as those listed in our non-resident permit guide.