{"id":373241,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:14","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/indiana-law\/indiana-gun-control-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-10-30T11:49:00","modified_gmt":"2024-10-30T16:49:00","slug":"indiana-gun-control-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/indiana-law\/indiana-gun-control-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Indiana Gun Control Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Indiana Gun Control Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Gun control laws exist at both the federal and state levels in the U.S. With gun violence often in the news, legislators struggle with how to best balance the right to own firearms with the need for reasonable regulations that protect the public.<\/p>\r\n

Any discussion of gun laws begins with the right to bear arms. The U.S. Constitution and most state constitutions provide for some version of gun rights. In recent years, the U.S. Supreme Court<\/a> has stated that the right to own guns for self-defense and other purposes is an individual right. This has led to court fights over various state and federal statutes and their application. <\/p>\r\n

Most federal law regulating firearms came about in the 20th century. Through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF<\/a>), the federal government follows an integrated strategy of regulation and law enforcement to enhance public safety.<\/p>\r\n

Federal law requires the registration and use of certain dangerous firearms and the licensing of firearms dealers. It includes prohibitions on who can own, use, or gain possession of a firearm. Using the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), gun dealers and law enforcement can prevent the purchase or transfer of firearms into the wrong hands. <\/p>\r\n

State regulations can provide further restrictions, but they do not have to do so. In general, Indiana gun laws are less restrictive than those of many other states.<\/p>\r\n

Indiana Gun Laws<\/h2>\r\n

State gun control laws regulate the purchase and use of firearms and can vary from state to state. Certain weapons and ammunition, such as machine guns and armor-piercing bullets are prohibited under Indiana’s gun control laws. These laws contain limited exceptions, including those for active-duty military and law enforcement agencies. <\/p>\r\n

Indiana does not have an assault weapons ban or limit the sale of high-capacity magazines. Indiana also does not ban ghost guns<\/a>, firearms that can be assembled through a kit or created through the use of a 3D printer. <\/p>\r\n

Gun purchases that go through a federally licensed gun dealer will require a criminal background check prior to delivery. Gun purchases that occur through a private sale have no such requirement.<\/p>\r\n

Effective July 1, 2022, the State of Indiana adopted a permitless carry gun law. Often called constitutional carry, these laws allow a person who is not prohibited by law from possessing a gun to carry it either concealed or open without first obtaining a firearm license or permit. Indiana’s law applies to anyone who is 18 years old or older.<\/p>\r\n

Indiana maintains a system for issuing handgun licenses to meet the qualifications for reciprocity in other states. Residents of Indiana can apply for a license to carry handguns via their local chief of police or county sheriff. In contrast with other states, there is no fee for the Indiana license. <\/p>\r\n

Nonresidents can also apply for a handgun license if they have a regular place of business or employment in Indiana. They will apply to the sheriff of the county where the business is located. Applicants must also submit their fingerprints as a criminal background check will follow. <\/p>\r\n

Indiana does not require any specific firearms training before getting a license. It does provide general information on firearm safety rules at the time it issues a license. Indiana is a "shall issue" state, which means that if an applicant meets all objective criteria and passes a background check, a license will be issued. The Indiana State Police<\/a> (ISP) provides helpful information on the process on their website.<\/p>\r\n

Even with its more permissive approach in its public carry laws, Indiana prohibits bringing firearms into certain locations. These include:<\/p>\r\n