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Just like anywhere or anything in life, living in Indiana sure has its pros and cons. 

One of these pros is that in Indiana, owning a gun is easy. In fact, it is so easy that all you need do is:

  1. Walk into your firearms dealer’s shop,
  2. Say to them “I need a gun.” 
  3. Show them an ID confirming you are at least 18 years old.
  4. Tender cash
  5. Congratulations!

You should know that this doesn’t give you the right to go about firing your new weapon anywhere. There are certain laws and regulations that you need to respect..

Indiana Gun laws

Indiana is known for having one of the least restrictive gun laws in the U.S.

The Indiana gun laws will allow an Indiana CCW permit to be issued to residents and Non-residents alike for:

  • Concealed carry Indiana
  • Open carry, and 
  • Transport within a vehicle…

…as long as the individual enrolling for Indiana concealed carry permit application satisfies all the stated minimum requirements.

In essence, you do not need a license to own a gun. What you need is an Indiana concealed carry permit to carry a handgun in public.

Also, Indiana gun laws have something called the “red flag” laws. This allows an officer to seize an individual’s gun as long as there is an impending violence threat.

Indiana CCW Reciprocity

Indiana is a “shall issue” state. The state will issue a license to residents and Non-residents of Indiana.

The individual applying for an Indiana concealed carry permit has to be at least 18 years old.

If the individual has a verdict as a delinquent child for an offense that otherwise would be a felony if committed by an adult.

The CCW reciprocity in Indiana is somewhat accommodating as it honors the concealed carry permits of all other states.

However, In contrast, not every other state honors the handgun license of Indiana.

The Indiana CCW reciprocity recognizes and honors the CCW permits of all states. Only 32 states return that favor. 

How Does Indiana CCW Reciprocity work?

Indiana is a “shall issue” state. It issues licenses to state residents and Non-residents for an Indiana concealed carry.

It is no surprise that Indiana CCW reciprocity honors permits of every other state.

Their gun laws are lax, allowing any individual (who is at 18 years of age) the right to own a gun.

This means that an individual with a handgun license of another city does not need to go for a new Indiana concealed carry permit application when they visit Indiana.

This isn’t the same for individuals with concealed carry permits of Indiana. Certain states’ CCW reciprocity does not honor Indiana concealed carry permits.

It is important to know the states that honor the Indiana CCW reciprocity and those that don’t is important.  

Who Can Own an Indiana Concealed Carry Permit?

The state of Indiana will issue an Indiana concealed carry permit to residents and non-residents who satisfy all the minimum Indiana concealed carry requirements as stipulated by the laws of the state.

There are two types of licenses that the state of Indiana issues:

  1. The four-year license, and 
  2. The lifetime license

Indiana issues the four-year licenses to non-residents. This happens provided they have regular employment or a place of business in Indiana.

Kansas issues the lifetime licenses to Residents of the states.

As long as you are an 18-year-old in Indiana, you can own a gun and need no permit whatsoever to do so.

The need to go for an Indiana concealed carry permit application process arises when you wish to carry your gun along with you in public.

It is also worth mentioning that you do not need a license to carry a rifle or shotgun in public in Indiana.

Any Interested individual that satisfies Indiana concealed carry requirements can go for the Indiana CCW application.

What Are The Requirements For Indiana Concealed Carry Permit?

The state of Indiana will issue an Indiana concealed carry permits to residents and non-residents who have gone through the Indiana concealed carry permit application process and meet the following requirements:

  • They must be at least 18 years old.
  • The individual must be at least 23 years old if they have an adjudication as an offending child for an offense that would be a felony if committed by an adult.
  • They must be citizens of the U.S.
  • For the lifetime license, they must be a resident of Indiana.
  • They must be mentally competent.
  • They do not have a record of being a drug abuser or alcoholic.
  • The individual is not prohibited from possessing a handgun by court order.
  • The individual is a “Proper person” as defined under IC35-47-1-7.

What Is The Age Limit For Indiana CCW Application?

The age limit or an Indiana CCW application is 18 years old.

This age limit changes to 23 years if the applicant has an adjudication as an offending child for an offense that would be a felony if committed by an adult.

What Places Are Off Limits For Concealed Carry Indiana

Kansas prohibits Individuals with Indiana concealed carry permits from carrying their handguns in the following places:

  • School: Guns are not carry-able either in or on school property in Indiana. You can bring your gun along with you as long as you leave it locked inside a vehicle.
  • On a school bus
  • In the controlled-access areas of an airport
  • On a commercial or charter plane
  • Shipping ports, especially the ones controlled by the Indiana Port commission
  • A riverboat casino
  • Any other places prohibited by Federal law

What Places Are You Permitted For Concealed Carry Indiana

Congratulations! You have completed the Indiana CCW application process. The following are the places where you can carry your handguns to without penalty:

  • Roadside rest areas
  • State parks
  • State and national forests
  • In a vehicle

Indiana allows you to go along with your Indiana concealed carry to all areas of the state except those listed as off-limits.

How Can I Apply For An Indiana Concealed Permit?

The process of an Indiana concealed carry permit application isn’t stressful.

It is a common misconception that all you need to do is fill out an online application and voila! You have your permit.

The process of the Indiana CCW application begins before the stage of filling and submitting the form.

Meet All Necessary Requirements

Filling Indiana concealed carry application form without meeting the stated requirements can be likened to trying to fetch water with a basket – pointless and an absolute waste of time.

You should try to access yourself to determine if you meet the necessary requirements.

Have A Solid Grasp Of The Laws

As it is well said, “Ignorance is not an excuse.”

Owning an Indiana concealed carry permit without having a solid understanding of the laws governing it is a calamity waiting to happen.

You might end up carrying your Indiana CCW on you while visiting your daughter’s school and in the blink of an eye, you have your prints documented.

It is thus essential to read the various laws governing concealed carry Indiana.

Complete The Indiana Concealed Carry Online Course

Obtaining a CCW permit in Indiana doesn’t need applicants to undergo Indiana concealed carry classes. Yet, a little study does no harm to anyone right?

It would be in your best interest to enroll for an Indiana concealed carry class online to ground yourself in the proper use of your Indiana CCW.

Don’t be shy about making use of the internet. There are tons of Indiana concealed carry online classes you can partake in. To help sharpen up your knowledge of guns.

Proceed To Apply

Now is the time to take action. It’s time to start the Indiana concealed carry permit application process!

As mentioned earlier, the entire process is pretty much straightforward and easy. All you have to do is:

  • Complete the online application. During this, you will be required to state the reason why you feel the need to carry your Indiana CCW on you.  The answer to this can be a lot of things varying from ‘personal protection’ to ‘target shooting.’
  • Schedule electronic fingerprinting
  • Afterward, take the application number given to you to your local law enforcement. Proceed to pay the local fee.
  • Your completed application will then be transferred to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) for a final review.
  • Sit down, relax, and wait. You will receive a mail informing you of the success or otherwise of your application

Concealed Carry Indiana FAQs

How Long Is The Indiana CCW Permit Valid For?

Indiana issues a lifetime CCW permit to residents of the states. Residents who are successful in their Indiana concealed carry permit application that is.

Non-residents of the state of Indiana are only entitled to a CCW permit valid for 4 years.

What Is The Processing Time For A Indiana CCW Permit?

After applying for an Indiana CCW license, it takes the state 60 days to process the new Indiana concealed carry permit.

Is There A Non-resident Concealed Carry Permit?

Indiana is a ‘shall issue’ state that would issue permits to every individual as long as they meet the requirements.

This goes to say that as long as you are a resident of the U.S. and meet the necessary requirements, you can get an Indiana concealed carry permit.

As a Non-resident, however, you can only apply for a 4 year-long license rather than the lifetime license being issued to Indiana residents.

How Can I Go About A Change Of Name And Address On A Permit?

Did you recently get a change of name or address? Would you like it to take effect on your Indiana concealed carry permit? The process is easy.

All you need do is:

  • Fill out the name and address part of the Indiana concealed carry online application form.
  • Print it out with the new details.

This may attract new extra charges.

What Can I Do If My Permit Is Missing?

Like any means of identification, documents, and property, once your Indiana CCW permit gets stolen, immediately report to the nearest authorities.

How Soon Can I Apply For Indiana CCW Permit As A New Resident?

The Indiana concealed carry permit doesn’t have a stipulated time for applications.

As long as you are confident you meet all the necessary requirements, proceed to apply.

It is also important to remember that Indiana is a “shall issue” state. It would issue permits to Non-residents of the state.

So, you don’t even have to wait till you are an Indiana resident to get an Indiana concealed carry permit!

Is A Previous Permit From Another State Transferable?

CCW permits from one state aren’t transferable to another. They are only rendered invalid when they expire.

You can only hope the state you are currently in has a CCW reciprocity agreement with the state’s permit you have.

This is not something you have to worry about while in Florida though. The state honors and recognizes all states’ CCW permits.

Is A Concealed Carry Indiana Permit Valid In Another State?

An Indiana concealed carry permit is valid in another state only when the state has a CCW reciprocity that honors permits issued in Indiana.

What States Honor Reciprocity With Indiana?

Indiana CCW reciprocity honors CCW permits from all states in the U.S.

Only 32 of these states honor a permit from Indiana in return. These states include:

  • Illinois
  • Alabama
  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • Colorado
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Idaho
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Michigan
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • New Hampshire
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming.

What states have restricted reciprocity with Indiana?

The following are the states that do not honor permits issued in Indiana:

  • California
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • District of Columbia
  • Hawaii
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • New York City
  • Oregon
  • Rhode islands
  • South Carolina
  • Washington

Additional Resources

Indiana Gun Laws
Indiana Open Carry Laws
Indiana Gun Permit Laws

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