Indiana Gun Laws - NRA-ILA

News Get the Facts Gun Laws Hunting Legal & Legislation Take Action Grassroots About Grassroots Alerts Candidate Grades & Endorsements Sign Up For Alerts Donate Leave a Legacy Why Gun Control Doesn’t Work What Is The Second Amendment And How Is It Defined Become an NRA-ILA Campaign Field Rep Today! NRA Media Inquiries Contact NRA-ILA

News

Articles In the News Press Releases From the Director Armed Citizen®

Get the Facts

Ammunition "Assault Weapons" | "Large" Magazines Background Checks | NICS What is the Charleston "Loophole" BATFE/Federal Firearms Law Reform Crime | Criminal Justice Emergency Powers Law Waiting Periods Gun Safety Firearm Transportation Gun Shows Handguns International & United Nations Gun Control Micro-Stamping | Ballistic "Fingerprinting" National Firearms Act (NFA) Firearm Preemption Laws Gun Registration | Gun Licensing Concealed Carry | Right-to-Carry Second Amendment & Right to Keep and Bear Arms "Smart" Guns | Personalized Firearms Public Health Care Bias Terrorist Watchlist | No-Fly List

Gun Laws

Armed Citizen® State Gun Laws LEOSA

Hunting

Alerts Articles News

Legal & Legislation

Federal Legislation State Legislation Legal Articles Current Litigation

Grassroots

Donate Contact Your FrontLines Activist Leader Promote NRA-ILA Register to Vote Sign-Up for Alerts Write Your Lawmakers Find an Event Second Amendment Activist Center NRA on Campus Campaign Field Rep Application

About

Election Center Privacy Policy Join | Renew | Donate | |

Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

CLOSE

Quick Links

• NRA.ORG
• Manage Your Membership
• NRA Near You
• Friends of NRA
• State and Federal Gun Laws
• NRA Online Training
• Politics, Policy and Legislation

• Clubs and Associations
  • Affiliated Clubs, Ranges and Businesses
• Competitive Shooting
  • NRA Day
  • Competitive Shooting Programs
  • Collegiate Shooting Programs
  • America's Rifle Challenge
  • Competitor Classification Lookup
  • Shooting Sports USA
  • Adaptive Shooting
  • Great American Outdoor Show
  • NRA Whittington Center
• Events and Entertainment
  • Women's Wilderness Escape
  • NRA Whittington Center
  • Friends of NRA
  • Great American Outdoor Show
  • NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits
  • NRA Day
  • NRA Country
  • Competitive Shooting Programs
  • NRA Gun Gurus
• Firearms Training
  • NRA Gun Safety Rules
  • Firearm Training
  • Become An NRA Instructor
  • Become A Training Counselor
  • NRA Range Safety Officers
  • Shooting Sports Coach Development
  • Adaptive Shooting
  • NRA Gunsmithing Schools
  • NRA Online Training
  • NRA Program Materials Center
  • NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program
  • Find A Course
  • NRA CCW
  • NRA Training Course Catalog
• Giving
  • The NRA Foundation
  • Friends of NRA
  • Ring of Freedom
  • Institute for Legislative Action
  • NRA Whittington Center
  • NRA Firearms For Freedom
• History
  • History Of The NRA
  • NRA Museums
  • I Have This Old Gun
  • NRA Gun Gurus
• Hunting
  • Hunter Education
  • Youth Hunter Education Challenge
  • NRA Whittington Center
  • NRA Hunters' Leadership Forum
  • Great American Outdoor Show
  • Hunters for the Hungry
  • American Hunter
  • Hunting Legislation Issues
  • State Hunting Resources
  • NRA Institute for Legislative Action
  • American Rifleman
  • Adaptive Hunting Database
  • Outdoor Adventure Partner of the NRA
• Law Enforcement, Military, Security
  • Law Enforcement, Military, Security
• Media and Publications
  • NRA Blog
  • American Rifleman
  • America's 1st Freedom
  • American Hunter
  • Shooting Illustrated
  • NRA Family
  • Shooting Sports USA
  • NRA All Access
  • NRA Gun Gurus
  • NRA Hunters' Leadership Forum

• Membership
  • Join The NRA
  • NRA Member Benefits
  • Manage Your Membership
  • NRA Store
  • NRA Whittington Center
  • NRA Endorsed Member Insurance
  • NRA Membership Recruiting
  • NRA State Associations
  • NRA Membership For Women
  • NRA Life Membership
  • Renew or Upgrade Your Membership
  • NRA Junior Membership
  • NRA Business Alliance
  • NRA Industry Ally Program
• Politics And Legislation
  • NRA Institute for Legislative Action
  • NRA-ILA Gun Laws
  • Register To Vote
  • Candidate Ratings
  • Write Your Lawmakers
  • America's 1st Freedom
  • NRA-ILA FrontLines
  • NRA Political Victory Fund
  • NRA State Associations
• Recreational Shooting
  • America's Rifle Challenge
  • NRA Whittington Center
  • Women's Wilderness Escape
  • NRA Day
  • The NRA Range
  • Home Air Gun Program
  • Adaptive Shooting
  • Range Services
  • NRA Member Benefits
  • Great American Outdoor Show
  • NRA Springfield M1A Match
  • Shooting Illustrated
  • Firearm Training
  • NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program
  • NRA Training Course Catalog
  • Women On Target® Instructional Shooting Clinics
• Safety and Education
  • NRA Gun Safety Rules
  • Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program
  • Eddie Eagle Treehouse
  • NRA School Shield
  • Whittington University
  • Firearm Training
  • NRA Online Training
  • Become An NRA Instructor
  • Hunter Education
  • NRA Gunsmithing Schools
  • Refuse To Be A Victim®
• Scholarships, Awards and Contests
  • Scholarships, Awards & Contests
• Shopping
  • NRA Store
  • NRA Country Gear
  • NRA Program Materials Center
  • NRA Member Benefits
  • NRA Whittington Center Store
• Volunteering
  • Volunteer For NRA
  • Get Involved Locally
  • Volunteer At The Great American Outdoor Show
  • Institute for Legislative Action
  • Volunteer at the NRA Whittington Center
• Women's Interests
  • NRA Membership For Women
  • Women's Wilderness Escape
  • NRA Women's Network
  • Women On Target® Instructional Shooting Clinics
  • Women's Programs Endowment
  • Sybil Ludington Women's Freedom Award
  • Women's Wildlife Management / Conservation Scholarship
  • Become An NRA Instructor
• Youth Interests
  • Eddie Eagle Treehouse
  • Scholarships, Awards & Contests
  • NRA Day
  • NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program
  • Youth Education Summit
  • Adventure Camp
  • Youth Hunter Education Challenge
  • National Junior Shooting Camps
  • Youth Wildlife Art Contest
  • Home Air Gun Program
  • NRA Junior Membership
  • NRA Family
  • Eddie Eagle GunSafe® Program
  • NRA Gun Safety Rules
  • Collegiate Shooting Programs
  • National Youth Shooting Sports Cooperative Program
  • Request for Eagle Scout Certificate

Menu ×

GUN LAWS

Last Updated: Monday, September 8, 2025

Indiana Gun Laws

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION - Article 1 Section 32.

“The people shall have a right to bear arms, for the defense of themselves and the State.”

Gun Laws Overview

RIFLES & SHOTGUNS	HANDGUNS
Permit to Purchase	No	No
Registration of Firearms	No	No
Licensing of Owners	No	No
Permit to Carry	No	No*
Indiana is a constitutional carry state allowing permitless carry of firearms for all individuals legally allowed to possess a firearm. Indiana permits to carry are available for purposes of concealed carry in other states that offer permit reciprocity. The list and map below are included as a tool to assist you in validating your information.  We have made every effort to report the information correctly, however reciprocity and recognition agreements are subject to frequent change.  The information is not intended as legal advice or a restatement of law and does not include:  restrictions that may be placed on non-resident permits, individuals under the age of 21, qualifying permit classes, and/or any other factor which may limit reciprocity and/or recognition.  For any particular situation, a licensed local attorney must be consulted for an accurate interpretation.  YOU MUST ABIDE WITH ALL LAWS: STATE, FEDERAL AND LOCAL.

STATE STATUS
Castle Doctrine	Enacted
Right to Carry Confidentiality	Provisions Enacted
Right to Carry in Restaurants	Legal
Right To Carry Laws	Shall Issue
Right To Carry Reciprocity and Recognition	Outright Recognition

Concealed Carry Reciprocity Select Map These States recognize Indiana's permit Indiana recognizes these State's permits Click on a State to see the Gun Law Profile These States recognize Indiana's permit

• Permit-Issuing State

• Recognizing States

• Non-Recognizing States

Indiana recognizes these State's permits

• Current State

• Permits Indiana Recognizes

• Permits Indiana Does Not Recognize

Laws on Purchase, Possession and Carrying of Firearms

Hardware Bans and Equipment Restrictions Indiana has no laws regulating semi-automatic firearms or so-called "assault weapons," "large capacity magazines," "ghost guns," bump stocks, or similar items. Machine guns are legal as long as possessed under applicable federal statutes. MORE Indiana requires a state certification by state law enforcement if requested by an individual so the individual can obtain a machine gun or other federally regulated item. Ind. Code Ann. § 35-47-8.5. LESS

Ammunition Indiana does not generally regulate or restrict ammunition except for armor piercing ammunition. MORE Indiana does not require a license for the sale, purchase, or possession of ammunition nor have any age minimums for the purchase or possession of ammunition. Indiana generally prohibits people from knowingly or intentionally manufacturing, possessing, transferring or offering to transfer armor-piercing ammunition. Ind. Code Ann. § 35-47-5-11.5 LESS

Licensing/Permitting & Possession/Acquisition of Firearms No state permit is required for the possession of a rifle, shotgun, or handgun. MORE A person in possession of a valid Indiana License to Carry a Handgun is exempt from a federal NICS check when purchasing a firearm; see ATF Brady Chart (2025) at Brady Permit Chart | Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is unlawful for an adult to provide a firearm to a child or for a child to possess a firearm EXCEPT while the child is: attending a hunter safety or firearms safety course and an adult is supervising the child during the course; target shooting at an established range or in an area where the discharge of a firearm is not prohibited or supervised by a qualified firearms instructor or adult while at the range; engaging in an organized firearm competition or practicing for a performance by an organized group that uses firearms as a part of a performance; lawfully hunting or trapping with a license; traveling with an unloaded firearm to or from an activity described in this section; on real property that is under the control of the child’s parent, an adult family member, or legal guardian and has permission from the child’s parent or legal guardian to possess a firearm; at the child’s residence and has the permission of the child’s parent, an adult family member or legal guardian to possess a firearm. Indiana law does have possession limitations for the following: IC 35-47-4-5 Unlawful possession of firearm by serious violent felon IC 35-47-10-5 Dangerous possession of a firearm IC 35-47-4-6 Unlawful possession of firearm by domestic batterer LESS

Registration Indiana does not require the registration of firearms. MORE Indiana government entities are expressly prohibited from keeping any registry of privately owned firearms or the owners of privately owned firearms. Ind. Code Ann. § 24-5-27.5 LESS

Right to Carry Indiana is a permitless carry state. Anyone 18 years-of-age or older who is not prohibited from firearm possession by state or federal law may generally carry a concealed handgun in public.Open carry of firearms is legal. MORE People who are not prohibited under state or federal law are generally authorized to carry handguns as well as long guns without a license or permit. Ind. Code Ann. §§ 14-16-1-23, 35-47-2-3, effective July 1, 2022 A person must not be a prohibited person as defined by IC 35-47-2-1.5. See the following for more information: Permitless-Carry-Website-Messaging.pdf License to Carry a Handgun applications are available online at IN Application LESS

Prohibited Places No person, including a person with a license to carry a handgun, may possess a firearm in the following places: Commercial or charter aircraft; In an area of an airport where access is controlled by the inspection of persons and property; On board a riverboat gambling operation; On the fairgrounds during the annual state fair; In or on port areas or port property; or In a children’s home or child caring institution run or overseen by Child Welfare Services. Ind. Code Ann. § 35-47-6 MORE Indiana has no statutes prohibiting the possession of firearms in the following locations, although administrative regulations may apply in Parks; Hospitals; Places of worship; Bars or restaurants where alcohol is served; Sports arenas; or Polling places Indiana generally prohibits people, including those who have a license to carry a handgun, from knowingly or intentionally possessing a firearm in or on: School property (including private and public schools and preschools); or Property that is being used by a school for a school function or on a school bus. Indiana law includes exceptions to this general restriction, including for people who are not students at the school and are otherwise legally eligible to possess firearms, if they: Are specifically authorized by a school board or charter school administrative body to carry a concealed firearm in or on school property; Possess a firearm in a motor vehicle; Are school resource officers. Ind. Code Ann. § 35-47-9-2 LESS

Private Transfers Indiana has no law that requires a background check on the purchaser of a firearm when the seller is not a licensed firearms dealer.

State Firearms Preemption No unit of government may regulate in any manner firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories; the ownership, possession, carrying, transportation, registration, transfer, and storage of firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories; and commerce in and taxation of firearms, firearm ammunition, and firearm accessories. Ind. Code Ann. § 35-47-11.1-2 MORE Ind. Code 35-47-11.1-2: Regulation by political subdivisions prohibited Except as provided in section 4 of this chapter, a political subdivision may not regulate: (1) firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories; (2) the ownership, possession, carrying, transportation, registration, transfer, and storage of firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories; and (3) commerce in and taxation of firearms, firearm ammunition, and firearm accessories. LESS

Stand Your Ground Indiana has a stand your ground law that removes the duty to retreat before using force, including deadly force, in self-defense or in defense of another when in a place you have a legal right to be and force is necessary based on a reasonable belief of imminent serious bodily harm. Ind. Code Ann. § 35-41-3-2(c).

Red Flag Law Indiana has a "red flag" law that allows law enforcement to remove firearms from people who are deemed 'dangerous' under Ind. Code Ann. § 35-47-14-1. MORE Under Indiana law, a “dangerous individual” is defined to include a person who: Presents an imminent risk of personal injury to himself, herself or another person; or It is probable that the individual will present a risk of personal injury to himself, herself or another person in the future and he or she: – Has a mental illness that may be controlled by medication, and has not demonstrated a pattern of voluntarily and consistently taking the individual’s medication while not under supervision; or – Is the subject of documented evidence that would give rise to a reasonable belief that he or she has a propensity for violent or suicidal conduct. A circuit or superior court may issue a warrant to search for and seize a firearm in the possession of a “dangerous individual” if: A law enforcement officer provides the court a sworn affidavit describing the facts that have led the officer to believe the individual is dangerous and in possession of a firearm. The affidavit must also describe the officer’s interactions and conversations with: – The individual who is alleged to be dangerous; or – Another individual, if the law enforcement officer believes that information obtained from this individual is credible and reliable; The affidavit specifically describes the location of the firearm; and The circuit or superior court determines that probable cause exists to believe that the individual is dangerous and in possession of a firearm.2 Law enforcement officers may seize firearms from any individual whom the law enforcement officer believes to be dangerous without obtaining a warrant. In such an instance, the officer must submit to the court having jurisdiction over the individual an affidavit describing the basis for the officer’s belief that the individual is dangerous within 48-hours of the seizure. If the court finds that probable cause exists to believe the individual is dangerous, the court shall order the law enforcement agency having custody of the firearm to retain the firearm. Following the seizure of firearms with or without a warrant, a law enforcement agency must file a search warrant return with the court setting forth the quantity and type of each firearm seized. If the court finds that there is no such probable cause, the court shall order the law enforcement agency having custody of the firearm to return the firearm to the individual. After the filing of a search warrant return or an affidavit following a warrantless search, the court shall conduct a hearing as soon as possible but no later than 14 days following the filing of the return or affidavit.6 At the hearing, the state must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the individual is dangerous as defined. If the court determines that the state has met its burden of proof, the court shall issue a written order: ordering the law enforcement agency having custody of the seized firearm to retain the firearm; ordering the individual’s license to carry a handgun, if applicable, suspended; and prohibiting the individual from possessing, owning, purchasing, or receiving a firearm. The court must also determine whether the individual should be referred to further proceedings to consider whether the individual should be involuntarily detained or committed. If the court finds that the individual is dangerous, the clerk shall transmit the order to the office of judicial administration for transmission to NICS. If a court orders a law enforcement agency to retain individual’s firearm, the individual may petition the court for a determination that he or she is no longer dangerous at least 180 days after the initial ruling. The petitioner must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that he or she is not dangerous to obtain the firearm. Prior to one year from the date the order is issued, the state must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the individual is still dangerous and, if the court finds the state has met its burden of proof, the order will be continued and the respondent must wait 180 days to petition to terminate the order as described above. If the court has ordered the law enforcement agency to retain possession of the firearm, the respondent may petition the court to require the agency to transfer the firearm(s) to a “responsible third party” or a federally licensed gun dealer. A “responsible third party” is someone who: does not cohabitate with the person found to be dangerous in the hearing; is a proper person (as defined under section 35-47-1-7) who may lawfully possess a firearm; and is willing to enter into a written court agreement to accept the transfer of the firearm as a responsible third party Ind. Code Ann. § 35–47–14–1 to 35–47–14–13 LESS

Indiana NEWS

Legal & Legislation

Monday, February 2, 2026

Indiana: Firearm Preemption Enhancement Bill Advances to House Committee

The Indiana House Committee on Local Government is expected to take up Senate Bill 176 in the near ...

Legal & Legislation

Thursday, January 22, 2026

Indiana: Pro-Gun Bills Advance from Committee

Two pro-gun bills have advanced in the Indiana General Assembly. House Bill 1052 has passed the Indiana House ...

News

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Sole Remaining Municipal Gun-Industry Lawsuit Grinds to Final Defeat

In 1999, when the rest of the country was fretting over the potential Y2K disruption of worldwide computer ...

Legal & Legislation

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Indiana: Pro-Second Amendment Bills Referred to Committee

On Monday, Indiana lawmakers introduced four pro-Second Amendment bills that protect law-abiding gun owners, safeguard shooting ranges, and ...

Legal & Legislation

Tuesday, November 25, 2025

Indiana: 2026 Legislative Session Is Now Underway!

Today, December 1st, the Indiana House of Representatives begins its 2026 legislative session. The Indiana Senate will convene ...

Take Action

Monday, March 24, 2025

Grassroots Spotlight: IN Deer Turkey & Waterfowl Expo

The 27th Annual Indiana Deer, Turkey & Waterfowl Expo, held from February 21 to 23, 2025, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, was ...

Legal & Legislation

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Indiana: Legislation Requiring Courts to Expunge Unwarranted Records To Be Heard in Senate

Today, March 4th, the Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law passed House Bill 1137.

Legal & Legislation

Friday, January 24, 2025

Indiana: Pro-Gun Bills Starting to Move in Hoosier State!

The Indiana state legislature is starting to ramp up. Next week, House Bill 1074 legislation protecting firearm retailers from financial ...

Legal & Legislation

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Indiana: 2025 Legislative Session Convenes Today

Today, January 8th, the Indiana General Assembly begins the 2025 legislative session. As in 2024, the General Assembly can expect to see both pro and ...

Take Action

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Grassroots Spotlight: Indiana Grassroots

The NRA-ILA Grassroots Team recently set-up at the Indiana Deer, Turkey, and Waterfowl Expo—a fantastic opportunity to talk ...

1

2345...58NEXT RELATED New Mexico: Senate Committee to Passes Sweeping Gun Control Bill Pennsylvania: House Passes Trojan Gun Control Bill Indiana: Firearm Preemption Enhancement Bill Advances to House Committee Indiana: Pro-Gun Bills Advance from Committee Sole Remaining Municipal Gun-Industry Lawsuit Grinds to Final Defeat

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

EXPLORE NRA-ILA

• News
• Gun Laws
• Hunting
• Legal & Legislation
• Take Action
• Grassroots
• About
• Donate
• Corporate Ethics
• Leave a Legacy
• Privacy Policy

FOLLOW NRA-ILA STAY INFORMED

Receive important and timely information in defense of your second amendment rights.

SIGN UP FOR UPDATES

© 2025 National Rifle Association of America, Institute for Legislative Action. This may be reproduced. This may not be reproduced for commercial purposes. 11250 Waples Mill Rd. Fairfax, VA 22030     1-800-392-8683(VOTE)