Kentucky Statutes 527.100 – Possession of handgun by minor
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(1) A person is guilty of possession of a handgun by a minor when, being under the age of eighteen (18) years, he possesses, manufactures, or transports a handgun as defined by KRS § 527.010, except when the person is:
(a) In attendance at a hunter’s safety course or a firearms safety course;
For details, see § 532.060 and § 532.090
(b) Engaging in practice in the use of a firearm, or target shooting at an established firing range, or any other area where the discharge of a firearm is not prohibited;
(c) Engaging in an organized competition involving the use of a firearm, or participating in or practicing for a performance by a group organized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or any successor thereto which uses firearms as a part of the performance;
(d) Hunting or trapping pursuant to a valid license issued to him pursuant to the statutes or administrative regulations of this Commonwealth;
(e) Traveling to or from any activity described in paragraphs (a) to (d) of this subsection with any unloaded handgun in his possession;
(f) On real property which is under the control of an adult and has the permission of that adult and his parent or legal guardian to possess a handgun; or
(g) At his residence and with the permission of his parent or legal guardian possesses a handgun and is justified under the principles of justification set forth in KRS Chapter 503 in using physical force or deadly physical force.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section, a handgun is “loaded” if: (a) There is a cartridge in the chamber of the handgun; or
(b) There is a cartridge in the cylinder of the handgun, if the handgun is a revolver; or
(c) There is a cartridge in the magazine of a semiautomatic handgun, if the magazine is attached to the handgun; or
(d) The handgun and the ammunition for the handgun, are carried on the person of one under the age of eighteen (18) years or are in such close proximity to him that he could readily gain access to the handgun and the ammunition and load the handgun.
(3) Possession of a handgun by a minor is a Class A misdemeanor for the first offense and a Class D felony for each subsequent offense.
Effective: July 15, 1994
History: Created 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 30, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1994.
(a) In attendance at a hunter’s safety course or a firearms safety course;
Attorney's Note
Under the Kentucky Statutes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class D felony | between 1 and 5 years | between $1,000 and $10,000 |
| Class A misdemeanor | up to 12 months | up to $500 |
Terms Used In Kentucky Statutes 527.100
- Firearm: means any weapon which will expel a projectile by the action of an explosive. See Kentucky Statutes 527.010
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- Handgun: means any pistol or revolver originally designed to be fired by the use of a single hand, or any other firearm originally designed to be fired by the use of a single hand. See Kentucky Statutes 527.010
- Real property: Land, and all immovable fixtures erected on, growing on, or affixed to the land.
(b) Engaging in practice in the use of a firearm, or target shooting at an established firing range, or any other area where the discharge of a firearm is not prohibited;
(c) Engaging in an organized competition involving the use of a firearm, or participating in or practicing for a performance by a group organized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or any successor thereto which uses firearms as a part of the performance;
(d) Hunting or trapping pursuant to a valid license issued to him pursuant to the statutes or administrative regulations of this Commonwealth;
(e) Traveling to or from any activity described in paragraphs (a) to (d) of this subsection with any unloaded handgun in his possession;
(f) On real property which is under the control of an adult and has the permission of that adult and his parent or legal guardian to possess a handgun; or
(g) At his residence and with the permission of his parent or legal guardian possesses a handgun and is justified under the principles of justification set forth in KRS Chapter 503 in using physical force or deadly physical force.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section, a handgun is “loaded” if: (a) There is a cartridge in the chamber of the handgun; or
(b) There is a cartridge in the cylinder of the handgun, if the handgun is a revolver; or
(c) There is a cartridge in the magazine of a semiautomatic handgun, if the magazine is attached to the handgun; or
(d) The handgun and the ammunition for the handgun, are carried on the person of one under the age of eighteen (18) years or are in such close proximity to him that he could readily gain access to the handgun and the ammunition and load the handgun.
(3) Possession of a handgun by a minor is a Class A misdemeanor for the first offense and a Class D felony for each subsequent offense.
Effective: July 15, 1994
History: Created 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 30, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1994.