Unlicensed open carry has been guaranteed at least since the current KY constitution was adopted some 125 years ago and I have every reason to expect ihsv is accurate that it even extends back 200 years--I just haven't ever personally looked into how far back it goes.
Before the nose-dive in civility, open carry was considered gentlemanly and concealed carry was considered cowardly and treacherous. Of course the nature of the world is such these days that I fully agree with Mark 79 that the factors now overwhelmingly dictate concealed carry. But though the good judgment of OPSEC may dictate, the nanny state should certainly not dictate.
If somebody chooses to open carry, that's their business. And let them do it without paying nanny state to say it's ok--licenses are just a revenue gimmick--a tax. It's not like open carry is any sort of free pass for convicted felons and wife beaters. LE usually know their faces and names well and would be quick to hook them up with new criminal charges for possessing firearms if they observed them. And as quick as cops can get identities these days, it would be extremely risky even where they aren't known. Besides, most folks who carry illegally are carrying concealed and would be doing the same thing if all forms of carry were outlawed.
Open carry is not uncommon here. I frequently see it in stores and restaurants. I'm not talking about ARs swinging across their backs (I'm glad it's legal even though I think it's stupid to routinely do so unless there is some specific circuмstance making it prudent or perhaps for a political demonstration)--I have never seen any of that stupidity except on YouTube. What I see is simply holstered pistols--not Rambo/operator crap--simply normal non-tactical holsters such as I would use if I was to choose to open carry. Of the many folks I have seen open carrying, I have never observed one behaving erratically, being any sort of an ass, nor giving rise to any sort of concern.