Skip to content
Concealed Carry Map

Resident permit · AZ → KY

Is a Arizona Resident Permit Valid in Kentucky?

Recognized — and permitless carry appliesVerified 2026-08-08

Legal, yes. Kentucky honors the permit, and permitless carry for adults 21+ applies there too. Either way, Kentucky's carry rules — not Arizona's — control while you're in the state.

Why

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.

The permit (Arizona)

Permit
Arizona Concealed Weapons Permit (CCW)
Issued by
Arizona Department of Public Safety (Concealed Weapons Permit Unit)
Issue policy
Shall-issue

The destination (Kentucky)

Recognition policy
Honors permits from all states
Permitless carry
Yes (21+)
Duty to inform
No (present permit on demand)
Magazine limit
No state limit

Carry rules in Kentucky

Whatever your permit status, Kentucky law governs how you carry inside the state. The rules below matter most on a short trip.

Off-limits places in Kentucky

See the full 50-state map for a Arizona resident permit →

Frequently asked questions

Is a Arizona resident permit valid in Kentucky?
Legal, yes. Kentucky honors the permit, and permitless carry for adults 21+ applies there too. Either way, Kentucky's carry rules — not Arizona's — control while you're in the 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.
Where does Kentucky publish its official reciprocity list?
Kentucky publishes its recognition policy on an official state page, linked in the sources on this page. That page is the authority — check it shortly before travel, because recognition lists change without much notice.

Official sources