One year after opening on Worthington Road, Kuegel Whittaker Guns (KWG) is celebrating a successful first year in business, and the co-owners say they’re just getting started.
With more than 700 firearms in stock, steady foot traffic, and customers traveling from over 30 states, the store has quickly become a destination gun shop for sportsmen, collectors, and self-defense enthusiasts.
“It’s been a success beyond what we projected,” said co-owner Luke Kuegel. “The community has been really good to us.”
KWG was launched by Kuegel and Chris Whittaker, whose late father, Darrell, founded Whittaker Guns in 1988 and helped reshape the gun industry in Kentucky. Whittaker said his dad was known for his low-margin, high-volume approach, and that his legacy remains at the heart of the operation.
“My dad was real big about making a living, not a killing,” Whittaker said. “We treat people right, and people have responded.”
KWG operates out of a 7,200-square-foot building with a 3,600-square-foot showroom located just off KY 56 at 1324 Worthington Road in west Daviess County. Whittaker brings decades of experience to the business, while Kuegel contributes his own deep knowledge as a firearms collector.
The store carries both new and used firearms and offers trades, a free scope mounting and bore sighting service, and a wide array of accessories from hunting gear to self-defense items.
“We try to take care of the whole aspect,” Whittaker said. “Whether it’s hunting, shooting sports, or self-defense.”
KWG does not offer full gunsmithing but partners with trusted local experts for troubleshooting. And while many customers still prefer to handle firearms in person before purchasing, the business is planning to enter the online market in early 2026.
“I wanted to make sure the physical store was running well before jumping into anything else,” Kuegel said. “But we’re ready to grow.”
The owners emphasized that KWG, a licensed Federal Firearms License (FFL) dealer, is at the forefront of ensuring responsible gun sales.
“We are step one in gun control,” Kuegel said. “This is probably the most secure and checked purchase that can be made.”
All transactions require a federal background check, and the owners are vigilant against illegal “straw purchases,” where someone attempts to buy a firearm for another person who isn’t eligible.
“My biggest fear is getting a gun into the hands of a criminal,” Kuegel said. “We watch for that. We pay attention.”
One of the fastest-growing sectors for KWG is suppressors — also known as silencers — with over 100 currently in inventory. A federal tax requirement is set to expire in January 2026, which could further accelerate demand.
“We’ve already got people lining up for them,” Whittaker said.
KWG will also continue rotating its inventory by season and expanding its product lines. But at its core, the owners said the business remains committed to fairness, transparency, and strong relationships — values instilled by Whittaker’s father and embraced by both owners.
“We appreciate everyone who’s supported us,” Kuegel said. “It’s a great place to come visit. We’ve even got a little social club going most days.”
