# KRS § 237.025: 237.025 Requirements for local gun buy-back programs

> Kentucky · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TXIX_C237_S237.025

## Section

- **Citation:** KRS § 237.025
- **Heading:** 237.025 Requirements for local gun buy-back programs
- **Jurisdiction:** Kentucky
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** KY Code / Title XIX / Chapter 237 / Section 237.025

## Text

237.025 Requirements for local gun buy-back programs.

(1) Each law enforcement agency of state, county, urban-county, charter county, or city

government or any other law enforcement agency that participates in a "gun buy-

back program" or other program in which firearms or ammunition are purchased or

surrendered for the purpose of destruction shall assure that:

(a) The serial number of each firearm that is purchased or surrendered to the

program is checked against local, state, and federal records of stolen firearms

and, if it is found that the firearm is a stolen firearm, that the firearm is not

destroyed without the written permission of the lawful owner thereof and that

if the lawful owner of the firearm does not give written permission for the

firearm to be destroyed, that the firearm is returned to its lawful owner;

(b) If it is determined that a firearm that is purchased by, or surrendered to the

"gun buy-back program" is stolen, that the law enforcement makes an effort to

arrest the thief or any person who possessed the firearm knowing it was

stolen; and

(c) Prior to the destruction of any firearm that is purchased or surrendered, that a

written determination is made as to whether the firearm may have been used

in a crime, and that if it is determined that the firearm probably was used in a

crime, that it is retained for evidence, and if it is determined that the firearm

probably was not used in a crime, if the firearm is a rifled firearm, that a fired

bullet and fired cartridge case is retained for possible use as evidence and that

if the firearm is a smooth bore firearm, that a fired cartridge case is retained

for possible use as evidence.

(2) Prior to returning a stolen firearm to a lawful owner, the law enforcement agency

shall determine whether or not the lawful owner is eligible to possess a firearm

under federal law. If the lawful owner of the firearm is ineligible to possess a

firearm under federal law, the law enforcement agency may destroy the firearm after

compliance with subsection (1)(c) of this section.

## Nearby sections

- [KRS § 237.020 237.020 Right of Kentucky residents, out-of-state residents, and residents of other countries to buy firearms](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TXIX_C237_S237.020.md)
- [KRS § 237.025 237.025 Requirements for local gun buy-back programs](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TXIX_C237_S237.025.md)
- [KRS § 237.030 237.030 Definitions for KRS 237.040 and 237.050](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TXIX_C237_S237.030.md)
- [KRS § 237.040 237.040 Criminal possession of destructive device or booby trap device](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TXIX_C237_S237.040.md)
- [KRS § 237.050 237.050 Exemptions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TXIX_C237_S237.050.md)
- [KRS § 237.060 237.060 Definitions for KRS 237.060 to 237.090 and certain other sections](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TXIX_C237_S237.060.md)
- [KRS § 237.070 237.070 Prohibition against sale or transfer of firearm to convicted felon](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TXIX_C237_S237.070.md)
- [KRS § 237.075 237.075 Chief law enforcement officer's certification for transfer or making of a firearm -- Immunity from liability -- Appeal of denial of certification request](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TXIX_C237_S237.075.md)
- [KRS § 237.080 237.080 Prohibition against manufacture, sale, delivery, transfer, or importation of armor-piercing ammunition -- Exceptions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TXIX_C237_S237.080.md)
- [KRS § 237.090 237.090 Disposition of forfeited firearm or ammunition](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TXIX_C237_S237.090.md)
- [KRS § 237.095 237.095 Persons barred by federal law from purchase of firearms -- Duty to notify courts and law enforcement agencies of purchase or attempt to purchase -- Protocol for providing notice -- Duty to notify petitioner -- Immunity from liability](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TXIX_C237_S237.095.md)
- [KRS § 237.100 237.100 Notification of purchase of firearm or attempt to purchase firearm -- Immunity](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TXIX_C237_S237.100.md)
- [KRS § 237.102 237.102 Suspension, revocation, limitation, or impairment of concealed deadly weapon license permitted only in accordance with KRS 237.110 and 237.138 to 237.142](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TXIX_C237_S237.102.md)
- [KRS § 237.104 237.104 Rights to acquire, carry, and use deadly weapons not to be impaired -- Seizure of deadly weapons prohibited -- Application of section](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TXIX_C237_S237.104.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_KY_TXIX_C237_S237.025. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.
