Indiana is an open carry and concealed carry state as long as you meet the requirements to do so.

The state has lenient laws for the possession of firearms in its territories, and it also accepts permits from other states in the country.

You must be familiar with the Indiana gun laws before you open carry or possess firearms in the state.

Indiana Gun Law Summary

Indiana issues a license to carry for the use of firearms in the state.

A person can use this license for the transportation, open and concealed carry of firearms in the state.

Indiana is a shall-issue state with the license processing supervised by the state police department.

Indiana does not require a permit for the purchasing of firearms in the state; neither do you have to register a firearm.

For the purchase of long guns in the state, you must be at least twenty-one years old and a resident of Indiana or a neighboring state.

If you are buying your firearm from a licensed dealer in the state, you must complete a criminal record check.

Handguns purchases are strictly for residents of Indiana and those above twenty-one years old.

To apply for an Indiana license to carry, you must be a resident of the state or have a business organization in the state.

Non-residents that want to conceal or open carry in Indiana must have a permit from a state that Indiana reciprocates.

It is also essential that you meet all license application requirements in Indiana before applying.

Is It Legal To Open Carry In Indiana?

Yes. If you have an Indiana firearm license, you can open carry in the state.

However, Indiana has location restrictions for the possession of firearms, and this includes both concealed and open carry.

You must abide by this at all times.

Open Carry Laws In Indiana

Indiana is a licensed open carry state. This means that you can open carry with the state license based on the shall issue policy.

You do not need a permit to open carry long guns in the state.

Indiana gun laws preempt local regulations of firearms in the state.

There are also restrictions of firearms in Indians; therefore, you cannot possess assault weapons in the state.

However, members of the nation’s military, law enforcement officers, and peace officers can make use of these types of firearms.

Another exception to this is assault weapons kept for just display or aesthetic reasons, as long as the owner has permission to do so.

Indiana Open Gun Law Quick View

Law/PolicyLong GunsHandgunsComments
State permit for open carry.NoYesYes, you must obtain a firearm license before you can open carry in Indiana.
Firearm registrations for open carry.NoNoThere are no requirements to register a firearm for open carry in the state.
Assault weapon for open carry.NoNoIndiana bans assault weapons like machine guns, semi-automatic firearms, and armored piercing ammunition.
Magazine limitNoNoIndiana gun statutes do not say anything about magazine limits for firearms in the state.
License for the owner of a firearm.Not requiredNot requiredYou do not require an owner’s license to use firearms in Indiana.
Red flag lawYesYesIndiana is a red flag state, and anybody that has a protection or restriction order from a court of law cannot use, buy or sell firearms in the state.
Castle doctrine lawYesYesIndiana is a castle doctrine state, and there is no duty to retreat in the face of an unlawful attack from an intruder. The state will also provide immunity for the use of deadly force when necessary.
Background check for private dealersNoNoPrivate dealers of firearms in the state are not under any obligation to complete a criminal record background check before selling a gun, and this also applies to the transfer of firearms in the state.
Pre-emptionYesYesIndiana has pre-emption laws, and the state gun laws supersede those of any local municipality. But municipalities can regulate these laws according to the state government law.
Concealed carry permit.NoYesConcealed carry in Indiana must be done with a firearm license to carry in the state.
Concealed carry in personal vehicleNoNoThe state law does not allow concealed carry in vehicles, with or without a license.
Open carry in SchoolsNoNoYou cannot open carry in any educational institution in the state such as schools, colleges, universities, etc.

Where Is It Legal To Open Carry In Indiana?

Indiana open carry laws allow you to possess your firearm in the following places:

  • Restaurants and bars: You can open carry in restaurants and bars except for the ones that have post restricting the possession of firearms.
  • Roadsides: You can open carry in roadside areas in Illinois.
  • State parks and forests: You can open carry in forests, parks, and wildlife management areas in the state.
  • Worship Places: Except there are firearms prohibition in the premises, you can conceal carry in places of worship.

Where Is It Illegal To Open Carry In Indiana?

You cannot open carry in the following areas of Indiana:

  • Schools: You cannot open carry or possess your firearms on school premises, except officers of the school or those that have permission from the management to do so. You can also not open carry in school buses or vehicles used for the transportation of students.
  • State government buildings: You cannot open carry in government properties like the state capitol building and state libraries.
  • Airports: You cannot open carry in secured zones of airports.
  • Shipping port: You cannot open carry in shipping ports that are under the control of the state’s port commission.
  • Courtrooms: You cannot open carry in courtrooms or during a regular court proceeding.
  • Prohibited places: You cannot open carry in areas under the prohibition of federal laws.

FAQs About Open Carry Indiana

Some of the most asked questions about open carry in Indiana include the following:

Must I Apply For A Firearm License Before I Open Carry In Indiana?

Yes. Indiana’s open carry is only possible with a state-issued license.

Can I Open Carry In Indiana With The State Concealed Carry License?

Yes. Indiana issues the same license for both open and concealed carry in the state.

What Is The Age Requirement For Open Carry In Indiana?

The Minimum age for open carry in Indiana is eighteen years old.

What Is The Age Requirement For Applying or Indiana Firearm License?

You must be at least eighteen years old before you apply for a firearm license in Indiana.

What Is The Age Requirement For Buying Firearms In Indiana?

The age requirement for purchasing long guns is eighteen years old, while that of handguns is twenty-one years old.

Does Indiana Have Red Flag Law?

Yes. A law court can issue a restriction or protection order banning a person from possessing, buying, and selling firearms in the state.

Is Indiana Firearm Application Valid For Non-residents Of The State?

No. Only non-residents that have a working place in Indiana can apply for a firearm license in the state.

Other non-residents can only open and conceal carry with a permit from a state than Indiana reciprocates.

Does Indiana Allow Constitutional Carry In The State?

No, there is no constitutional carry in Indiana.

Are Knives Open Carry Weapons In Indiana?

You can open or concealed carry knives in Indiana, as long as you respect location restrictions in the state.

However, Indiana bans ballistic and throwing star knives; therefore, you can’t use them as weapons in the state.

Are There Weapon Restrictions In Indiana?

Indiana prohibits armor piercing ammunition in the state. Also, assault weapons like machine guns and semi-automatic firearms are banned.

Also, this includes any firearm that cannot use ammunition or cartridges or those manufactured before year eighteen-ninety-nine.  

Indiana also restricts firearms defined as inoperable, since they do not meet the requirements for concealed firearms in the state.

Do I Need A Purchase Permit To Buy Firearms In Indiana?

No. Indiana does not issue a permit for the purchase of firearms in the state.

Must I Complete A Criminal Record Background Check Before Buying Firearms In Indiana?

Yes. Every buyer of a firearm in the state must complete a criminal record background check conducted by licensed dealers.

Note that unlike in other states in the USA, your firearm license does not exempt you from completing this check.

For How Long Is Indiana Firearm License Valid?

Indiana has two types of firearm licenses. One is valid for five years, while the other one is a lifetime license.

In Indiana, Am I To Inform a Law Enforcement Officer If I’m Carrying A Firearm?

Indiana gun statues do not obligate you to inform a police officer if you carry a firearm on you.

Does Indiana Have Castle Doctrine Policy?

Yes. Indiana is a castle doctrine state with residents allowed to stand their ground when attacked in a place they have legal rights to be.

Is The Use Of Deadly Force Permitted In Indiana?

Yes. Indiana has clear self-defense law that anybody that uses deadly force for self-protection or protection of a third party in a situation that can lead to death, severe bodily harm, or during a felony attack, will get immunity from the law.

Is Firearm Training A Requirement For Open Carry In Indiana?

No, there are no requirements to complete a firearm training before open or concealed carry in the state.

Is Firearm Registration A Requirement For Concealed Carry In The State?

No. There are no firearm registration laws in Indiana.

What Is The Processing Period For Indiana Firearm Permit Application Process?

The processing period for the application is not more than sixty days after applying.

Relevant Open Carry Law And Legislature In Indiana

Here are some applicable Indiana open carry laws:

Ammunition Restriction

Indiana gun law prohibits the armored- piercing firearms in the state.

Preemption Gun Laws

Indiana has pre-emption laws for the possession of firearms. The state government own all authority to regulate firearms in all Indiana territories

However, local areas can enforce concealed carry laws for the following situations.

  • Municipality laws can restrict the possession of firearms during an event or in properties leased for occasions.
  • Municipalities can restrict the possession of firearms in local hospitals or healthcare centers.
  • Municipalities can restrict the possession of firearms in buildings used by the local government, with metal detection tech or a law enforcement officer stationed as the entrance to search people coming into the building.

Red Flag Law

According to section thirty-five of the gun statute, a law enforcement officer can swear an affidavit to a court of law, in a bid to restrict someone’s possession, handling, buying, and selling of firearms in the state.

This is done if such a person is a threat to himself or society.

Brandishing Of Firearms In The State

It is a crime to intentionally point a gun in a threatening manner, at someone, except if it is done lawfully.

Anybody that deliberately injures or creates a risk that causes potential injury to another person can face prosecution for criminal recklessness in Indiana.

Hunting In Indiana

You can open carry while hunting in Indiana, and you do not even need a state license for firearms to do this, except you want to conceal carry a handgun.

However, you cannot use a firearm to shoot deer during bow hunting unless it is a firearm season.

Indiana also has gun laws to protect hunting activities in the state.

They include the following:

  • Anybody that intentionally disturbs a legal hunting activity in the state can be arrested for hunter harassment.
  • It is illegal to interfere with wildlife by disturbing the animal, intending to prevent a legal hunting activity.
  • It is illegal to involve in an activity of erect barriers that will affect the behavior of animals in the wild to interfere with a legal hunting session.
  • Anybody that knowingly trespasses on a public or private land area meant for hunting activity, without permission from the owner of the land, or an agent in charge of the property is guilty of hunter harassment in Indiana.

Additional Resources

Indiana Gun Laws
Indiana Concealed Carry Laws
Indiana Gun Permit Laws

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