Indiana transitioned to permitless carry in July 2022, fundamentally reshaping how residents and visitors carry handguns in the state. Adults 18 and older who meet specific eligibility standards no longer need a state license to carry a concealed or openly displayed handgun anywhere Indiana law permits firearms.
This guide clarifies what permitless carry actually authorizes, who remains prohibited from carrying despite the law change, where firearms are still banned regardless of licensing status, and why Indiana still issues optional handgun licenses primarily for interstate travel. Understanding these distinctions prevents both residents and visitors from unknowingly violating Indiana firearms statutes that remain enforceable even without licensing requirements.
Indiana concealed carry law operates under Indiana Code Title 35, Article 47, particularly IC 35-47-2-1.5 and IC 35-47-2-3. These statutes establish who may lawfully carry and under what circumstances, separate from federal restrictions that apply regardless of state law.
Is Concealed Carry Legal in Indiana?
Indiana is a permitless carry state. Since July 1, 2022, individuals at least 18 years old who are not otherwise prohibited from possessing a handgun under state or federal law may carry a handgun in Indiana without obtaining or possessing a state license.
IC 35-47-2-3(a) eliminates the general license requirement that previously governed handgun carry. Both concealed and open carry of handguns are legal under this framework, provided the carrier meets age and eligibility standards.
The minimum age for lawful handgun carry in Indiana is 18 years. However, IC 35-47-2-1.5(c)(10) extends age restrictions to 23 for individuals with certain violent juvenile adjudications, creating an enhanced disqualification category beyond the baseline 18-year minimum.
Permitless carry applies to both residents and non-residents physically present in Indiana. The statute speaks in terms of "a person" meeting eligibility requirements rather than distinguishing between resident and non-resident status for in-state carry authority.
Non-residents from any state or country may carry in Indiana under the same age and eligibility standards that apply to Indiana residents, without needing Indiana or home-state licensing.
Concealed Carry Permits in Indiana
Indiana retains an optional handgun licensing system even after eliminating mandatory licensing for in-state carry. The primary purpose of this optional license is enabling Indiana residents to carry in states that require permits under reciprocity agreements.
Permit Name and Issuing Authority
Indiana issues a License to Carry a Handgun, commonly abbreviated as LTCH. Applications are processed through the Indiana State Police via the state's firearms licensing portal, though residents initially apply to their local chief of police or county sheriff as specified in IC 35-47-2-3(b).
The superintendent of the Indiana State Police administers final license issuance after local law enforcement processes applications and background checks.
Training Requirements
Indiana does not impose statutory firearms training requirements as a condition of obtaining an LTCH. Chapter 35-47-2 contains no live-fire or classroom training mandates. The licensing process focuses on background checks and disqualifying criteria rather than demonstrated competency or safety coursework.
This distinguishes Indiana from states that require specific training hours before license issuance. Applicants need only meet background and eligibility standards, not complete instructional programs.
Validity Period and License Types
Indiana offers two LTCH options: a 4-year license and a lifetime license. The lifetime LTCH became fee-exempt effective July 1, 2021, under IC 35-47-2-4, eliminating cost barriers for residents seeking permanent licensing.
Licenses remain valid only as long as the holder maintains eligibility. If a person becomes disqualified under IC 35-47-2-1.5 or loses "proper person" status as defined in IC 35-47-1-7, even lifetime licenses are automatically revoked.
Resident vs Non-Resident Licensing
Application procedures differ based on residency. Indiana residents apply to local law enforcement in their county or city of residence. Non-residents with a regular place of business or employment in Indiana may apply through the sheriff of the county where their Indiana business or employment is located.
Non-residents without Indiana business or employment connections cannot obtain Indiana LTCHs. The statute limits non-resident applications to those with established Indiana work presence, not tourists or occasional visitors.
Substantive eligibility standards under Chapter 35-47-2 apply equally to resident and non-resident applicants. The distinction lies in application venue, not in disqualifying criteria or license limitations.
Why Obtain an Optional License
Post-permitless-carry, IC 35-47-2-3(a) explicitly acknowledges that persons who wish to carry firearms in other states under reciprocity agreements may obtain Indiana LTCHs by applying as specified. This statutory language confirms reciprocity as the primary justification for voluntary licensing.
The Indiana State Police notes that approximately 31 states honor Indiana handgun licenses, though recognition rules depend entirely on each other state's statutes rather than Indiana law. Indiana residents planning interstate travel with handguns need valid Indiana LTCHs to carry in reciprocity states that do not themselves have permitless carry or do not extend their permitless provisions to non-residents.
Where Concealed Carry Is Prohibited in Indiana
Indiana's permitless carry law does not eliminate location-based carry restrictions. Several statutory prohibitions remain enforceable regardless of licensing status, age, or eligibility.
School Property and School Buses
IC 35-47-9-2 makes it a Level 6 felony for any person to knowingly or intentionally possess a firearm in or on school property or on a school bus. This prohibition applies to public schools, private schools, and preschools, encompassing both buildings and grounds.
Exceptions exist for law enforcement officers and individuals specifically authorized by school boards or charter school administrative bodies. The general prohibition covers both students and non-students, with narrow carve-outs for approved programs or activities.
IC 35-47-9-2 operates independently of permitless carry provisions. The school property ban is not license-dependent—it restricts all persons except those falling within statutory exceptions.
Additional Statutory Prohibited Locations
Indiana law restricts firearms in several other specific locations:
Commercial or charter aircraft and secure areas of airports where access is controlled by inspection of persons and property are prohibited under IC 35-47-6. Riverboat gambling operations, state fairgrounds during the annual state fair, port areas and port property, and children's homes or child caring institutions run or overseen by Child Welfare Services also maintain firearm prohibitions.
These restrictions apply universally. Permitless carry authority does not override location-specific bans established in separate Indiana Code sections.
Person-Based Prohibitions
IC 35-47-2-1.5 creates detailed person-based carry prohibitions that function as location-independent restrictions. Individuals within disqualifying categories may not lawfully carry handguns anywhere in Indiana, not just in prohibited locations.
Disqualified persons include those convicted of offenses punishable by more than one year imprisonment, fugitives from justice, certain non-citizens without proper authorization, individuals convicted of domestic violence crimes or subject to protective orders, persons under indictment for serious offenses, those adjudicated as dangerous or mentally defective, dishonorably discharged military members, and persons who have renounced U.S. citizenship.
The age restriction in IC 35-47-2-1.5(c)(10) prohibits carrying by persons under 18 years or under 23 with specified violent juvenile adjudications. These person-based prohibitions remain fully enforceable under permitless carry.
Private Property and Signage
Indiana does not have a uniform statute giving private "no guns" signs specific criminal-law force equivalent to some states' signage laws. Property owners may prohibit firearms on their premises, but enforcement typically relies on generic criminal trespass law rather than firearms-specific violations.
If a property owner or authorized representative asks someone to leave due to firearm possession and the person refuses, standard trespass statutes apply. The prohibition becomes enforceable through trespass law, not through a firearms-specific signage statute creating automatic criminal liability.
Concealed Carry Reciprocity in Indiana
Indiana's reciprocity landscape fundamentally changed with permitless carry adoption. Reciprocity now matters primarily for Indiana LTCH holders traveling to other states, not for visitors carrying in Indiana.
Recognition of Other States' Permits for In-State Carry
Since July 1, 2022, IC 35-47-2-3(a) eliminated license requirements for handgun carry in Indiana for persons 18 and older who are not otherwise prohibited. The statute does not condition in-state carry on possession of out-of-state permits.
Visitors from any state or country may carry handguns in Indiana without Indiana or home-state licenses, provided they meet Indiana's age and eligibility requirements. Out-of-state permits are irrelevant to lawful carry within Indiana under current law.
Indiana does not "recognize" or "honor" other states' permits for purposes of in-state carry because Indiana does not require any permit for in-state carry.
Indiana Permits Recognized by Other States
Indiana LTCHs are recognized by approximately 31 states according to Indiana State Police information, though this number fluctuates as other states modify their reciprocity statutes. Recognition depends entirely on each other state's laws, not Indiana's statutes.
Some states recognize Indiana resident licenses but not non-resident licenses. Other states may impose additional restrictions on Indiana licensees beyond what Indiana law requires. Indiana LTCH holders must independently research destination state requirements before carrying in other states.
Indiana State Police does not maintain an official, continuously updated reciprocity list. The agency directs users to outside tracking resources for current recognition information, acknowledging that reciprocity determinations are made by other states.
One-Way and Conditional Recognition
Reciprocity is often one-way or conditional. A state may honor Indiana LTCHs without Indiana needing to honor that state's permits, since Indiana's permitless carry law eliminates the concept of reciprocal recognition for in-state carry.
Additionally, recognition may be conditional on factors like applicant age, license type (resident vs non-resident), or other state-specific requirements. Indiana LTCH holders cannot assume blanket nationwide recognition even in states that nominally honor Indiana licenses.
Federal Restrictions That Still Apply in Indiana
Permitless carry under Indiana law does not override federal firearms restrictions. Several federal prohibitions operate independently of state licensing.
Federal Facilities and Property
Federal law prohibits firearms in federal courthouses, federal office buildings, and U.S. post offices under 18 U.S.C. § 930 and related statutes. Indiana's permitless carry provisions do not grant authority to carry in federally controlled facilities.
Secure areas of airports beyond TSA checkpoints remain prohibited under federal aviation regulations. While Indiana's airport prohibition in IC 35-47-6 addresses state-law violations, federal regulations independently restrict firearms in aircraft and secure terminal areas.
Federal Land Considerations
National parks now generally allow firearms where state law permits carry, but other federal lands managed by various agencies may maintain their own restrictions. Visitors to federal properties in Indiana must verify specific regulations for those locations.
Gun-Free School Zones Act
The federal Gun-Free School Zones Act (18 U.S.C. § 922(q)) creates federal criminal liability for possessing firearms in school zones, with limited exceptions for state licensees and other specific categories. While Indiana's IC 35-47-9-2 addresses school property carry at the state level, the federal prohibition exists separately and can apply even where state law creates exceptions.
Indiana's permitless carry status does not automatically provide the state-license exception under the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act for individuals who do not hold Indiana LTCHs. Those relying solely on permitless authority without obtaining optional licenses should understand this federal-state distinction.
Recent Legal Changes or Trends
Indiana's permitless carry law represents the most significant firearms law change in recent state history, but additional modifications and proposals continue emerging.
Permitless Carry Implementation
The current text of IC 35-47-2-3(a) reflects the 2022 adoption of permitless carry, stating that qualified persons 18 and older "are not required to obtain or possess a license or permit from the state to carry a handgun in Indiana." This language codifies the shift from shall-issue licensing to permitless carry that took effect July 1, 2022.
Indiana joined 21 other states with similar frameworks at the time of adoption, though the number of permitless carry states has continued growing nationally.
Enhanced Penalties for Youth Possession Near Schools
Recent legislative proposals introduced in 2026 seek to increase penalties for persons under 18 who possess firearms on school property, within 500 feet of school property, or on school buses. These proposals would raise such violations to Level 5 felonies from current penalty levels.
This legislative trend reflects ongoing policy focus on youth firearm possession near schools even as the state maintains permitless carry for adults. The proposals indicate that removing general licensing requirements has not diminished legislative interest in targeted restrictions for minors and school-related contexts.
Court Decisions on Overlapping Offenses
In D.M. v. State (2023), the Indiana Court of Appeals held that adjudications for possession of a firearm on school property under IC 35-47-9-2 and dangerous possession of a firearm constituted double jeopardy where they arose from the same act. The court vacated the dangerous-possession adjudication while leaving the school-property conviction intact.
This decision clarifies how overlapping firearms possession offenses interact in juvenile cases but does not modify the underlying school property prohibition. IC 35-47-9-2 remains fully enforceable as a distinct offense.
No Post-Bruen Sensitive Places Expansion
Unlike some states that enacted comprehensive new "sensitive places" statutes following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, Indiana has not passed wide-ranging legislation expanding prohibited locations. Indiana's existing framework relies on preexisting statutes addressing schools and specific facilities rather than adopting a broad post-Bruen sensitive places model.
Current legislative debates focus more on youth possession and specific contexts like schools than on expanding general carry restrictions.
Common Misunderstandings About Concealed Carry in Indiana
Several misconceptions persist about Indiana's permitless carry law and what it authorizes.
"Indiana still requires a license to carry a concealed handgun."
IC 35-47-2-3(a) explicitly eliminated license requirements for persons 18 and older who are not otherwise prohibited. An LTCH remains available for reciprocity purposes, but it is not a prerequisite for carry in Indiana. The permitless carry statute applies to both concealed and open carry.
"Permitless carry means anyone can carry, including minors."
IC 35-47-2-1.5(c)(10) prohibits carrying by persons under 18 years old and extends restrictions to age 23 for individuals with certain violent juvenile adjudications. Additional statutes address dangerous possession of firearms by children and possession on school property.
Minors and some young adults remain categorically barred from lawful carry despite permitless carry for qualifying adults.
"Permitless carry allows guns on school property and buses."
IC 35-47-9-2 makes it a Level 6 felony to knowingly or intentionally possess a firearm in or on school property or on a school bus, subject to narrow exceptions.
The permitless carry statute does not override this prohibition. The D.M. v. State decision reinforced that possession on school property remains a distinct and enforceable offense.
"Visitors from other states need their home-state permits to carry in Indiana."
For in-state carry, IC 35-47-2-3(a) does not require any license or permit for qualified persons 18 and older. The statute does not condition lawful carry by visitors on possession of out-of-state permits.
Non-residents may carry in Indiana under the same age and eligibility standards as residents, without needing any license. Out-of-state permits are only relevant for carrying in states other than Indiana that require permits.
"Obtaining an Indiana LTCH is now pointless since permitless carry exists."
Indiana LTCHs remain valuable for interstate travel. IC 35-47-2-3(a) explicitly acknowledges that persons wishing to carry in other states under reciprocity agreements may obtain Indiana licenses.
Approximately 31 states recognize Indiana LTCHs according to Indiana State Police information. Residents who travel to reciprocity states still benefit from optional licensing even though they do not need licenses for in-state carry.
Practical Notes for Concealed Carriers in Indiana
Understanding practical implications of Indiana's permitless carry framework helps avoid compliance problems.
Eligibility Verification Challenges
Permitless carry shifts responsibility for eligibility determination from licensing agencies to individual carriers and law enforcement. Without a licensing process that screens applicants, individuals must self-assess whether they fall within disqualifying categories under IC 35-47-2-1.5.
Law enforcement officers may still ask individuals to verify eligibility during encounters, though they cannot request licenses that no longer exist for unlicensed carriers. Disputes over eligibility status may require legal resolution after the fact rather than administrative screening before carry begins.
Interstate Travel Complexity
Indiana residents traveling to other states face complex compliance challenges. While Indiana no longer requires licenses for in-state carry, many other states do require permits and may or may not recognize Indiana LTCHs.
The federal Firearm Owners Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 926A) provides limited safe passage protection for interstate transport, but this protection applies only when firearms remain secured and inaccessible during travel through restrictive states. It does not authorize carrying firearms for self-defense while transiting through states with different carry laws.
Indiana residents should obtain optional LTCHs before traveling to states that require permits, verify current reciprocity status for each destination and transit state, and understand that reciprocity recognition can be conditional or one-way.
Vehicle Carry Considerations
Indiana's permitless carry law authorizes handgun carry in vehicles under the same standards as on-person carry. Eligible individuals 18 and older may transport loaded, accessible handguns in vehicles throughout Indiana, subject to location restrictions.
The parking area provisions for prohibited locations in other states do not exist in Indiana's statutory framework in the same explicit form.
When parking at facilities with firearms prohibitions, carriers should ensure firearms remain secured in vehicles and verify whether specific statutes allow vehicle storage at otherwise-prohibited locations.
Documentation and Proof of Eligibility
Individuals carrying without LTCHs have no official documentation proving their eligibility. While Indiana State Police cannot ask for licenses that do not exist, law enforcement may investigate eligibility through other means during encounters.
Carriers should be prepared to provide identification and cooperate with eligibility verification procedures. Disputes over whether someone falls within disqualifying categories may result in arrest and subsequent legal proceedings to resolve eligibility questions.
School Property 500-Foot Buffer
Pending legislation proposes criminalizing youth possession within 500 feet of school property, not just on school property itself. While not yet law, this proposal signals potential expansion of school-related prohibitions beyond property boundaries.
Even without such legislation, carriers should exercise caution near schools. Determining exact property boundaries can be difficult, and possession just off school grounds while adjacent to school property creates proximity concerns even if technically lawful.
What Are the Rules for Concealed Carry in Indiana?
Indiana's concealed carry rules center on age, eligibility, and location rather than licensing or training requirements.
To carry a concealed handgun in Indiana without a license, individuals must be at least 18 years old and not fall within any disqualifying category in IC 35-47-2-1.5.
Disqualifications include felony convictions, fugitive status, certain immigration violations, domestic violence convictions, protective order restrictions, pending indictments, mental health adjudications, dishonorable military discharge, and renounced citizenship.
The age restriction extends to 23 for persons with violent juvenile adjudications as specified in IC 35-47-2-1.5(c)(10). This creates a heightened age requirement for certain individuals beyond the baseline 18-year minimum.
Carry is prohibited regardless of age or eligibility in locations specified by statute, primarily school property and school buses under IC 35-47-9-2, plus additional specific locations in IC 35-47-6. These location restrictions apply universally to all carriers.
No training, testing, or demonstrated competency is required for permitless carry. Indiana does not mandate firearms safety courses, live fire qualification, or written examinations as prerequisites to carry.
Can You Carry a Loaded Gun in a Car in Indiana?
Yes. Indiana's permitless carry law authorizes eligible individuals 18 and older to carry loaded, accessible handguns in vehicles throughout the state under the same standards that apply to on-person carry.
Loaded handgun carry in vehicles does not require special authorization beyond meeting the age and eligibility requirements in IC 35-47-2-3 and avoiding disqualifying factors in IC 35-47-2-1.5. The firearm may be accessible to the driver or passengers, not required to be unloaded or secured in containers.
Vehicle carry is subject to the same location restrictions as other carry. When vehicles enter prohibited locations like school property or state fairgrounds during the fair, the firearms prohibitions for those locations apply to vehicles as well as on-person carry.
IC 35-47-2-1 creates an exception allowing persons who would be ineligible for licenses but who are otherwise eligible to possess handguns under state or federal law to carry handguns in vehicles under certain circumstances. This provision addresses individuals who fall within specific categories not otherwise entirely prohibited from firearm possession.
Can You Carry a Gun in Your Glove Box in Indiana?
Yes, provided you meet Indiana's permitless carry eligibility requirements. Indiana law does not distinguish between carry methods or locations within vehicles. A loaded handgun in a glove box, center console, door pocket, or anywhere else in the vehicle is lawful for eligible carriers 18 and older.
The federal safe passage provision in 18 U.S.C. § 926A, which requires firearms to be unloaded and not readily accessible during interstate transport through restrictive states, does not apply to intrastate carry within Indiana. Indiana's permitless carry law authorizes accessible, loaded handgun carry in vehicles for qualified individuals.
Glove box carry is not a separate category requiring special authorization. It falls under general vehicle carry authority granted by Indiana's permitless carry provisions.
Where Are You Not Allowed to Carry a Gun in Indiana?
Indiana prohibits firearms in several specific statutory locations regardless of licensing status or eligibility.
School property, including public schools, private schools, and preschools, is prohibited under IC 35-47-9-2. This restriction covers both buildings and grounds. School buses are separately prohibited. Narrow exceptions exist for law enforcement and individuals specifically authorized by school administrative bodies, but the general prohibition applies broadly.
Commercial or charter aircraft and secure areas of airports where access is controlled by person and property inspection are prohibited. Riverboat gambling operations, state fairgrounds during the annual state fair, port areas and port property, and children's homes or child caring institutions run or overseen by Child Welfare Services also restrict firearms.
Federal facilities including federal courthouses, federal office buildings, and U.S. post offices prohibit firearms under federal law regardless of state permitless carry authority.
Private property owners may prohibit firearms on their premises, enforceable through trespass law rather than firearms-specific statutes. Refusing to leave private property after being asked to do so due to firearm possession creates trespass liability.
Beyond location-based prohibitions, person-based restrictions in IC 35-47-2-1.5 effectively prohibit certain individuals from carrying firearms anywhere in Indiana, not just in specific locations.
Disclaimer: This guide provides an overview of Indiana concealed carry laws for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Concealed carry laws change through legislation, court decisions, and regulatory updates. Requirements, restrictions, and procedures described here may not reflect the most current law or may be interpreted differently by courts or law enforcement. Always verify current Indiana concealed carry requirements with the Indiana State Police or qualified legal counsel before making decisions about firearms carry. Compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws is your responsibility.
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