Order online, pick up at a licensed dealer in Jefferson County. Louisville sits at the Falls of the Ohio, home to the Derby and a large manufacturing and shipping base. Parts ship to the door; pistols ship to a Jefferson County dealer.
Pick an FFL dealer near you that accepts shipped transfers and name it at checkout. We confirm their license and ship the firearm to them. Ammunition, optics and parts ship straight to your door where Kentucky law allows.
Kentucky has no purchase permit, registration or waiting period. A dealer sale uses ATF Form 4473 and the federal NICS background check. Federal age rules apply at a dealer: 21 for handguns and 18 for long guns. When you buy online, the firearm ships to the Kentucky FFL you choose, who handles the check and the transfer. Bring a current government photo ID with your address.
Dealers in these communities all work for Louisville-area buyers:
Kentucky has allowed permitless concealed carry since 2019 for adults 21 and older who can legally own a firearm. The optional Concealed Carry Deadly Weapons (CCDW) license is still issued by the Kentucky State Police; you apply through the sheriff's office in your county, here the Jefferson County Sheriff. The license helps with carry in other states and in a few places Kentucky law treats differently. Posted private property and some government buildings remain off limits.
Kentucky's 2026-27 deer season opens with archery on September 5, 2026. The modern gun season runs from November 14 to 29, 2026, with muzzleloader dates in October and December. Rifles, handguns, shotguns and muzzleloaders are legal during modern gun season. Bag limits depend on the county's deer zone, so check the current Kentucky Fish and Wildlife hunting guide and telecheck every deer you harvest.
Louisville hunters use state WMAs to the south and east; check the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife guide for Jefferson County's deer zone and bag limits.
Fort Knox to the south adds a large military community that knows the Glock 17 well, and the Ohio River gives the city strong fishing and waterfowl traditions.
The public ranges below are run or officially listed by state wildlife agencies and state forests near the cities we cover. Most ask for a hunting or fishing license, an access permit or a small daily fee, and some close for the season, so check the agency page before you drive out.
Source: State wildlife agency public range lists (Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas), September 2026. Distances are approximate; call or check the agency site before you drive out.
Yes. Order here, name a licensed FFL dealer in Jeffersontown, St. Matthews, Shively, Louisville or anywhere in Jefferson County, and we ship the firearm to them. You fill out ATF Form 4473 at their counter and they run the background check.
No, not for eligible adults 21 and older. The CCDW license, applied for through the Jefferson County Sheriff, is optional.
November 14 to 29, 2026.
Yes. Since 2026 an annual shooting range permit or a one-day permit is required on department ranges.
The polymer frame does not care, but the slide, barrel and magazine springs will rust if left wet. Rinse salt off, dry the slide rails and striker channel, and oil lightly after every wet trip.
Each dealer sets its own fee, commonly $20 to $75. Call before you order to confirm the price and that they accept firearms shipped from an online store.
General information, not legal advice. Rules current as of September 2026. See our buying guide and check with Jefferson County Sheriff (CCDW license issued by Kentucky State Police) or a local attorney about your own situation.