STATEHOUSE (March 3, 2021) – The Indiana House of Representatives recently 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 State Rep. Zach Payne (R-Charlestown).
"Hoosiers shouldn't be waiting weeks or even months to get their license to carry a handgun," Payne said. "Criminals aren't waiting around to get their licenses, and our citizens, who can lawfully carry a firearm, should be able to exercise their Second Amendment right."
According to Payne, 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. Payne said this step helps ensure only eligible buyers legally purchase handguns.
"Every responsible Hoosier should have the right to defend themselves and their loved ones," Payne said. "Nearly 20 states already have similar legislation, and this is a step in the right direction to ensuring Indiana is protecting the constitutional rights of our law-abiding citizens."
Reciprocity permits, including 5-year and lifetime permits, will still be available, and current holders of those 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. Payne said 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.
Payne said 18 states already allow law-abiding citizens to carry a handgun without a government-issued permit, including Kentucky.
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. Payne 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. Zach Payne (R-Charlestown) represents House District 66, which includes
all of Scott County, most of Jefferson County and northeastern Clark County.
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