KRS § 527.070 — KY Code / Title L / Chapter 527 / Section 527.070
527.070 Unlawful possession of a weapon on school property -- Posting of sign -- Exemptions
Status: in_force

527.070 Unlawful possession of a weapon on school property -- Posting of sign --

Exemptions.

(1) A person is guilty of unlawful possession of a weapon on school property when he

knowingly deposits, possesses, or carries, whether openly or concealed, for

purposes other than instructional or school-sanctioned ceremonial purposes, or the

purposes permitted in subsection (3) of this section, any firearm or other deadly

weapon, destructive device, or booby trap device in any public or private school

building or bus, on any public or private school campus, grounds, recreation area,

athletic field, or any other property owned, used, or operated by any board of

education, school, board of trustees, regents, or directors for the administration of

any public or private educational institution. The provisions of this section shall not

apply to institutions of postsecondary or higher education.

(2) Each chief administrator of a public or private school shall display about the school

in prominent locations, including, but not limited to, sports arenas, gymnasiums,

stadiums, and cafeterias, a sign at least six (6) inches high and fourteen (14) inches

wide stating:

UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A WEAPON ON SCHOOL

PROPERTY IN KENTUCKY IS A FELONY PUNISHABLE

BY A MAXIMUM OF FIVE (5) YEARS IN PRISON AND A

TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR ($10,000) FINE.

Failure to post the sign shall not relieve any person of liability under this section.

(3) The provisions of this section prohibiting the unlawful possession of a weapon on

school property shall not apply to:

(a) An adult who is not a pupil of any secondary school and who possesses a

firearm, if the firearm is contained within a vehicle operated by the adult and

is not removed from the vehicle, except for a purpose permitted herein, or

brandished by the adult, or by any other person acting with expressed or

implied consent of the adult, while the vehicle is on school property;

(b) Any pupils who are members of the reserve officers training corps or pupils

enrolled in a course of instruction or members of a school club or team, to the

extent they are required to carry arms or weapons in the discharge of their

official class or team duties;

(c) Any peace officer or police officer authorized to carry a concealed weapon

pursuant to KRS 527.020;

(d) Persons employed by the Armed Forces of the United States or members of

the National Guard or militia when required in the discharge of their official

duties to carry arms or weapons;

(e) Civil officers of the United States in the discharge of their official duties.

Nothing in this section shall be construed as to allow any person to carry a

concealed weapon into a public or private elementary or secondary school

building;

(f) Any other persons, including, but not limited to, exhibitors of historical

displays, who have been authorized to carry a firearm by the board of

education or board of trustees of the public or private institution;

(g) A person hunting during the lawful hunting season on lands owned by any

public or private educational institution and designated as open to hunting by

the board of education or board of trustees of the educational institution;

(h) A person possessing unloaded hunting weapons while traversing the grounds

of any public or private educational institution for the purpose of gaining

access to public or private lands open to hunting with the intent to hunt on the

public or private lands, unless the lands of the educational institution are

posted prohibiting the entry; or

(i) A person possessing guns or knives when conducting or attending a "gun and

knife show" when the program has been approved by the board of education

or board of trustees of the educational institution.

(4) Unlawful possession of a weapon on school property is a Class D felony.