Indiana is one of the least restrictive states when it comes to gun laws. With some exceptions, Indiana prohibits a person under the age of 18 from knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly possessing a firearm, except when supervised and in their residence or on property owned by a parent or guardian, or for the purpose of hunting, target shooting, or safety training. It is also illegal to sell to anyone who is a convicted felon, to drug users, to anyone who is intoxicated during the purchase, to a mental patient, and to anyone else who is unfit to handle a firearm safely. The Indiana Constitution guarantees the right of citizens to bear arms for their defense and that of the State.
However, municipalities can regulate the discharge of firearms and it may be illegal to fire a weapon within city limits. In March 1989, city councils in Gary and East Chicago passed ordinances prohibiting the sale and possession of assault weapons. Both ordinances were overturned by virtue of state preference. Gun owners must understand that carrying weapons without permission is not a “get out of jail” card. There are still consequences if you commit a crime with a firearm.
To take advantage of Indiana's constitutional firearm carrying permits, a person must first be eligible under the law to purchase a firearm. Qualifying for gun possession and carrying a gun without a permit in Indiana gives you the right to own and carry a gun. If you want to carry a gun with you or in your vehicle, you will need a license to carry a gun. In addition, if you want to buy a firearm, you will need to pass a background check. Grounds for disqualification include a conviction for a felony or for a misdemeanor domestic assault offense.
A license can also be denied if the applicant has been arrested for a violent crime and a court has found good reason to believe that the person committed the crime charged. Documented substance abuse within a given period of time is also a disqualifying factor. Indiana residents, or non-residents with a regular place of business in Indiana, can obtain an Indiana license. The license request must be made to the local police department or, failing that, to the county police department. Five-year and lifetime licenses are issued to Indiana residents.
Residents of other states can only be issued five-year licenses, except for active duty military personnel who become stationed in Indiana. Some counties have adopted resolutions on Second Amendment sanctuaries. All weapons and devices regulated by the NFA are legal in Indiana. While Indiana law reflects federal law for the most part, it does not prohibit those who commit nonviolent crimes from possessing firearms. Therefore, if you plan to travel with your firearm outside of Indiana, contact an Indiana gun licensing lawyer for a consultation on whether this law can provide you with protection. If you have a loaded gun, even if it's secured in a case and in the trunk of your vehicle, you can still be arrested and charged with carrying a gun without a license.
While you are not required to have a carrying permit, you can still be charged with a crime if you carry a concealed weapon but are not eligible to carry it without a permit in Indiana. Second, your journey must begin in a state where possession of the firearm is legal and must end in another legal state. For people who are prohibited from possession because of a conviction for domestic assault, Indiana Code § 35-47-4-7 allows asking the court to reinstate the right after 5 years from the date of conviction. Suppressors are legal in the state of Indiana with the right provisions and tax stamps for the right federal entities and can be used for hunting. In addition to limitations on who is allowed to carry a gun without a permit in Indiana, the state also restricts where you can carry firearms. With Indiana's gun laws, you would need a concealed carry permit so you can carry them without having to worry about getting into legal trouble.
