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FRANKFORT, KY — A bill advancing through the Kentucky legislature would allow 18-year-olds to carry concealed firearms without a permit, lowering the current minimum age from 21. Senate Bill 75, sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, passed the Senate Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection Committee on March 6, 2025, and now moves to the full Senate for consideration.
The proposed legislation would amend Kentucky’s existing concealed carry law, which currently permits adults aged 21 or older to carry concealed deadly weapons without a license. Under SB 75, that age threshold would drop to 18, provided the individual is legally eligible to possess a firearm under both state and federal law.
Key Provisions of SB 75
- Lowers the minimum age for permitless concealed carry from 21 to 18.
- Allows 18-year-olds to carry concealed firearms in the same locations where those 21 and older may currently carry.
- Maintains prohibitions on concealed carry in certain locations, including schools, courthouses, and federal facilities.
Background and Rationale
Supporters of the bill, including Sen. Tichenor, argue that legal adults should have the right to defend themselves in the same way older adults do. “If an 18-year-old can vote, join the military, and get married, they should be able to protect themselves in public,” Tichenor stated during the committee hearing, according to WKYU Public Radio.
Currently, 18-year-olds in Kentucky can own firearms and openly carry them, but concealed carry—without a license—has been restricted to those 21 and older since Kentucky adopted permitless carry in 2019.
Opposition and Concerns
Critics of the bill, including gun control advocates and some law enforcement officials, express concern that younger adults lack the maturity and judgment to responsibly carry concealed firearms. Opponents have also raised concerns about potential risks on college campuses and in nightlife areas if the bill becomes law.
However, supporters counter that individuals under 21 who already qualify for concealed carry permits (such as members of the military) have shown they can responsibly carry firearms, and expanding this right to all legal adults is consistent with the Second Amendment.
National Context
Kentucky would not be the first state to lower the concealed carry age to 18. States like Missouri, Mississippi, and New Hampshire already allow permitless concealed carry for 18-year-olds. The trend is part of a broader push across conservative-led states to expand firearm rights, particularly for younger adults.
What Happens Next
SB 75 now heads to the full Kentucky Senate for a vote. If approved, it will proceed to the House. If ultimately passed and signed into law, Kentucky would become one of a growing number of states lowering the concealed carry age to 18.
In any state where permitless carry is allowed, responsible firearms ownership and training remain essential, regardless of age. For 18-year-olds who may soon be eligible to carry concealed, it’s highly recommended to pursue professional firearms training, understand Kentucky’s self-defense laws, and practice safe handling at all times. Knowing when the law allows you to use force—and when it doesn’t—is crucial for any armed citizen.
