Ask Eskew Law: I want to keep a gun in my car. Do I need a permit?

Q: I want to keep a handgun in my car. Do I need a permit?

A: The short answer is no; you do not need a permit to carry a handgun in Indiana – if you meet certain criteria established by the State.

As of July 1, 2022, the State of Indiana no longer requires a handgun permit to legally carry, conceal, or transport a gun within the state.  While this allows individuals to carry a handgun without a permit, it is not inclusive of everyone.  Indiana handgun law has specific requirements that must be met for a person to legally carry within the state.

To lawfully carry a handgun in Indiana, a person must not be considered a “prohibited person.”

IC 35-47-2-1.5 defines a Prohibited Person as:

• A person who has been convicted of a State or Federal felony punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one (1) year
• A person who has been convicted of a crime of domestic violence, domestic battery, or criminal stalking
• A person restrained by an order of protection issued under IC-34-26-5; this does not include Workplace Violence Orders
• A fugitive from justice
• A person under indictment or felony charges filed by a prosecutor
• A person who has been adjudicated dangerous under IC-35-47-14-6;
• A person who has been adjudicated a mental defective;
• A person who has been committed to a mental institution
• A person dishonorably discharged from military service or the National Guard
• A person who renounces their United States citizenship in the manner described in U.S.C 1481
• A person who is under eighteen (18) years of age, unless authorized under IC 35-47-10;
• A person who is less than twenty-three (23) years of age and has an adjudication as a delinquent child for an act described by IC-35-47-4-5, unless authorized under IC 35-47-10;
• An alien

Note: If you are considering carrying a handgun in your car or on your person, the Indiana State Police recommend that you apply for a state-issued handgun permit.  The permit process is free of charge.

You can apply for your free handgun permit through the Indiana State Police.  They will conduct the necessary background checks to ensure compliance with IC 25-47-2-1.5 and IC 35-47-1-7.  For more information about the Indiana State Police Firearms Licensing process, or to apply online, click here.

It is also important to know that it may be necessary to have a license to carry if you travel to another state that requires a permit to legally carry or transport firearms.

Need help with a legal matter? Eskew Law can help.

Our team of experienced Indiana attorneys is available to answer questions about gun laws, criminal defense, family law cases, personal injury, and more. Contact us today at317-793-2325 or reach out online to connect with our team!