

Federal law requires firearms dealers to obtain a license from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), although resource limitations prevent the ATF from properly overseeing all its licensees.

Kentucky has no law requiring firearms dealers to obtain a state license or permit. Kentucky also has no law requiring dealers to conduct a background check on prospective firearm purchasers, although the federal background check requirement applies. The only substantive state law restriction Kentucky places on firearm dealers is its prohibition on knowingly transferring a firearm to a convicted felon.1

For information about Kentucky law:
