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Airgun law · United States

Are Airguns Legal in Kentucky?

Yes. Airguns are legal here for adults.

No meaningful state or national barrier for adult buyers, though local rules can still apply.

Tier 4: Permissive

No meaningful state-level barrier for adult buyers. Local rules may still apply.

KY

The picture at a glance

Each measure below scores how restrictive Kentucky is on that part of owning or transferring an airgun, from permissive (green) to firearm-level (red).

ClassificationNot a firearm
Age ruleNo state rule
PossessionFree for adults
Transfer / saleNo state process
TransportNo state rule
PreemptionPartial preemption

The rules in detail

Classification
Not a firearm
Not a firearm under state law.
Age rule
No state rule
No specific state-level airgun age rule.
Possession
Free for adults
Lawful for adults.
Transfer / sale
No state process
No state-imposed transfer process.
Transport
No state rule
No state-specific transport rules.
Preemption
Partial preemption
Standard firearms preemption.

Hunting with an airgun

Deer, small game and furbearer allowances verified (301 KAR 2:172, 2:122, 2:251)

Deer
Allowed with conditions
Allowed during modern gun season: ≥ .35 caliber, charged by an external tank, expanding single projectile (301 KAR 2:172)
Turkey
Not allowed / prohibited
Not allowed (turkey limited to archery, crossbow, or a .410 to 10-gauge shotgun with No. 4 or smaller shot, 301 KAR 2:140)
Small game
Explicitly allowed
Allowed for rabbit and squirrel
Predators
Allowed with conditions
Allowed with air guns using pellets at least .22 caliber (301 KAR 2:251)
Other big game
Not allowed / prohibited
Not allowed for bear or elk (air guns not in 301 KAR 2:300 or 2:132 equipment lists)
Caliber / FPE minimums
Deer: ≥ .35 caliber, external tank, expanding single projectile. Small game: pellets from .177, .20, .22, or .25 caliber air guns. Furbearers: pellets ≥ .22 caliber
Power source rules
Deer: charged by an external tank (PCP)
Notes
Kentucky regulations allow air guns for deer in modern gun season (≥ .35 cal, external tank, expanding bullet, 301 KAR 2:172), for rabbit and squirrel with .177–.25 pellets (301 KAR 2:122), and for furbearers with ≥ .22 pellets (301 KAR 2:251). Not listed for turkey, bear or elk.

Keep exploring

Open the interactive mapSee how this compares across the map and switch between legal and hunting views.→Find a place to shootAirgun-friendly ranges, flagged where confirmed.→Ballistics toolkitCheck energy, velocity, and range for any airgun and load.→Ammo databaseBrowse 600+ pellets and slugs by caliber and weight.→

This is a plain-language summary compiled from primary statutes and official guidance. It isn't legal advice. Laws change and local rules vary, so verify the current rules with the relevant authority before buying, selling, or hunting.