STATEHOUSE (March 12, 2021) – The Indiana House of Representatives advanced legislation to allow lawful carry in Indiana, which would allow law-abiding Hoosier adults to carry a firearm without having to first obtain a government-issued license, according to Monroe County lawmakers.
"Hoosiers who respect the law are the ones going through the application process to carry a firearm – not criminals," State Rep. Jeff Ellington (R-Bloomington) said. "If passed, law-abiding citizens won't have to jump through hoops to defend themselves or their loved ones."
According to Ellington, Hoosiers must currently complete a firearm license application online, schedule an appointment to submit their fingerprints and then complete local law enforcement agency processing all within 180 days. He said once those steps are completed, the application is submitted to the Indiana State Police for final review. After that process, approved Hoosiers must wait for their permit or rejection notification to be sent through the mail.
This bill does not change the process to legally purchase a handgun, which means buyers must complete the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives form, and be approved by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. State Rep. Peggy Mayfield (R-Martinsville) said this step helps ensure only eligible buyers legally purchase handguns.
"Currently, Hoosiers submit to background checks prior to the commercial purchase of a handgun and again when they want to carry it," said Mayfield, vice chair of the House Public Policy Committee. "There's no need for this duplication and the financial burden it imposes upon lawful citizens who want to exercise their constitutional right."
Reciprocity permits, including 5-year and lifetime permits, will still be available, and current holders of those type permits would still receive that benefit. These permits provide firearm reciprocity, or the ability for Hoosiers to carry in 31 other states. Indiana honors 48 states' permits. There is currently no fee for a five-year personal protection license and the fee for a lifetime personal protection license is $125. Those fees will remain in place.
State Rep. Bob Heaton (R-Terre Haute) said 18 states already allow law-abiding citizens to carry a handgun without a government-issued permit, including Kentucky.
"The right to own a handgun without needing a state-issued license is already allowed in many parts of the country," Heaton said. "Being able to protect yourself and others is a freedom that Indiana should not impede for Hoosiers who follow the law."
Currently, funds collected from Indiana's handgun permits help subsidize firearms training, ammunition, range training, body armor and other expenses for local law enforcement across the state. Heaton said any loss in funding for departments as a result of this bill would be restored through a new appropriation in the state budget, and departments would also continue collecting funds from reciprocity permits.
The bill will enhance the penalty for theft of a firearm from a Level 6 felony to a Level 5 felony, which carries a sentence of between 1 to 6 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
This legislation now moves to the Indiana Senate for further consideration. Visit iga.in.gov for more information on House Bill 1369.
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State Rep. Jeff Ellington (R-Bloomington) represents House District 62, which includes
portions of Greene, Monroe, Martin and Daviess counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Peggy Mayfield (R-Martinsville) represents House District 60,
which includes portions of Morgan and Monroe counties.
Click here for a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Bob Heaton (R-Terre Haute) represents House District 46,
which includes portions of Clay, Monroe, Owen and Vigo counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
