Indiana is a shall issue state, and requires applicants for a handgun permit to be at least 18 years old. Unlike other states, Indiana has multiple types of permits. First, Indiana qualified handgun permits are reserved for hunting and target shooting application. An Indiana unlimited handgun permit provides for safety to life and property. This is the license you’ll want to apply for. In addition to having two different types, permits are either valid for 4 years, or for the lifetime of the user. Depending on the type and duration of the permit, fees adjust. The fees range from $15 up to $125.
Applicants should apply with the chief of police of the municipality in which they live. Indiana does provide non-resident permits, and should apply with the sheriff of the county in which they intend to get licensed. Indiana respects all other state and territory issued concealed permits, but holders of an Indiana handgun permit are only allowed to carry in 32 other states.
This information was last updated in January 2019.
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Indiana Concealed Carry By The Numbers
Average Cost in Dollars*
# of States That Accept IN License
# of Years Valid*
Minimum Age
# of Days To Get A Permit
Reciprocity Map for Indiana
Use the tabs below to display states that will accept an Indiana concealed carry permit or those states that Indiana will honor. Click the sections below for a complete listing of states in each category, along with other relevant information.
States That Honor Indiana Concealed Carry
- Alabama
- Alaska – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
- Arizona – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
- Arkansas
- Colorado – Resident Permit ONLY
- Florida – Resident Permit ONLY
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Kansas – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine – Resident Permit ONLY
- Michigan – Resident Permit ONLY
- Mississippi – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
- Missouri – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
- Montana
- New Hampshire – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania – Resident Permit ONLY
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia – Must be of legal age to carry, and state ID required. Also honors state issued concealed carry permit.
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Indiana Will Honor The Following States
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Under Indiana code 35-47-2-21 concealed carry license holders are permitted to carry in Indiana.
How To Apply for an Indiana Concealed Carry License
Can I get a concealed carry permit in Indiana?
Indiana is a shall issue state. Applicants for a permit to carry a handgun must meet the criteria outlined in the below code. While there are age requirements to obtain a license, other factors may prevent approval of the license, including but not limited to:
- conviction of a felony
- previously suspended license, unless re-instated
- under 23 and adjudicated as a minor for an otherwise felony charge for adults
Relevant Code(s):
What is the minimum age to obtain a CCW license in IN?
Indiana will not issue a permit for an individual to carry a handgun if the person is under the age of 18 years.
Relevant Code(s):
Who issues a concealed carry permit in Indiana?
Applicants for a concealed carry permit should apply with the chief of police of the municipality in which they reside. If no such officer exists, or they are applying from outside the municipality, the applicant should send their submission to the sheriff of the county.
Relevant Code(s):
How long is an Indiana concealed carry permit good for?
Unlike some other states, Indiana offers several different levels of permits. The state offers a permit that is valid for 4 years from the date of issuance and requires renewal. However, applicants can also submit paperwork for a lifetime concealed carry permit. The lifetime license is valid for the life of the individual receiving the license.
Futhermore, there are 2 types of licenses. A qualified license is only valid for hunting and target practice, while an unlimited is issued for the sake of protecting life and property.
Relevant Code(s):
Does IN issue concealed permits to non-residents?
Residents of the state are eligible for the unlimited (lifetime) license to carry a handgun. However, non-residents can apply for an Indiana permit. Although, non-resident individuals are only eligible to receive a 4 year permit upon approval. Furthermore, the applicant must be a citizen of the United States or a non-citizen permitted to carry under federal law.
Relevant Code(s):
How long does it take to process a concealed carry application?
Initial applications for a permit to carry a handgun will be approved or rejected within 60 days of filing.
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How much does a concealed carry permit cost?
Because Indiana has varying permit options, the price will vary depending on the type and duration of the permit you apply for. Below is a breakdown of costs associated with each type:
- A 4 Year Qualified License is $15. ($10 application fee + $5 qualified license fee)
- Lifetime Qualified Licenses’ cost $75. ($50 application fee + $25 qualified license fee)
- A 4 Year Unlimited License is $40. ($10 application fee + $30 unlimited license fee)
- Lifetime Unlimited Licenses’ cost $125. ($50 application fee + $75 unlimited license fee)
Depending on the type and duration of the license you apply for, you can expect to pay between $15 and $125. However, only the unlimited carry licenses pertain to protecting life and property, so the realistic cost is either $40 or $125.
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What are the accepted forms of competency training?
There is no education requirement to obtain a permit to carry a handgun in Indiana. However, the superintendent will issue information to the licensee about firearm safety upon approval. That information shall meet the following requirements, per the code:
“[…]neither opposes nor supports an individual’s right to bear arms; recommended by a nonprofit educational organization that is dedicated to providing education on safe handling and use of firearms; prepared by the state police department;[…]“
Relevant Code(s):
Restrictions on Carrying A Firearm in Indiana
Is Indiana an Open Carry State?
The concealed carry permit is uniquely labeled in Indiana as “A Permit To Carry A Handgun.” For this reason, anyone issued a permit is able to carry concealed or openly. However, individuals who have not been issued a permit to carry a handgun are not able to carry openly or concealed.
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Can I Conceal Carry in a Vehicle?
Indiana requires anyone who does not possess a permit to carry a handgun to keep their firearm unloaded when in a vehicle, secured in a case, and not readily accessible. However, licensed individuals are able to carry a loaded weapon in their vehicle without meeting these requirements.
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Can I Conceal Carry in State Parks?
According to the Indiana state parks FAQ’s and the DNR rules and regulations a person who is licensed to carry a handgun is permitted to carry in Indiana state parks. Anyone not in possession of a permit to carry a handgun must follow the above guidelines for keeping a firearm in their vehicle.
Relevant Code(s):
Am I Allowed To Conceal Carry In Restaurants?
While Indiana does have a strict policy on being intoxicated and possessing a firearm, carrying in restaurants or other establishments that serve alcohol is permitted. However, it’s worth noting the code regarding intoxication below:
“A person who sells, barters, gives, or delivers any deadly weapon to any person at the time in a state of intoxication […] or to any person who is in the habit of becoming intoxicated […] commits a Class B misdemeanor.“
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Can I Conceal Carry in a Church?
Places of worship are not mentioned in Indiana state code with regard to carrying a concealed weapon. Therefore, those with a permit to carry a handgun are permitted to do so in churches and other religious buildings. However, the code does state the following:
“This section may not be construed to prohibit a person who owns, leases, rents, or otherwise legally controls private property from regulating or prohibiting the possession of firearms on the private property;“
Therefore, it is recommended that you follow any posted signage regarding the carrying of firearms on private property.
Relevant Code(s):
Can I Conceal Carry in a Bank?
Banks and other financial institutions are not listed as forbidden areas to carry a handgun. However, the code does specify that the following areas are not protected under Indiana state code:
“metal detection devices are located at each public entrance to the building;
(B) each public entrance to the building is staffed by at least one (1) law enforcement officer:
(i) who has been adequately trained to conduct inspections of persons entering the building by use of metal detection devices and proper physical pat down searches; and
(ii) when the building is open to the public […]“
This certainly applies to courthouses and other government facilities. If your bank utilizes any or all of these security measures, inquire with bank personnel about their policies. For this reason, it is recommended that you follow any posted signage about guns being permitted on the banks premises.
Relevant Code(s):
Can I Conceal Carry in a Hospital?
According to the below code, it is not legal to carry a firearm into a hospital that contains a secure correctional health unit. Additionally, I suggest you avoid carrying into any medical facility that has any posted signage forbidding the carrying of firearms.
“The enactment or enforcement of a provision prohibiting or restricting the possession of a firearm in a public hospital corporation that contains a secure correctional health unit that is staffed by a law enforcement officer twenty-four (24) hours a day.“
Furthermore, there is additional references to medical facilities in the following code:
“The enactment or enforcement of a provision prohibiting or restricting the possession of a firearm in a hospital […]“
Because this would require extensive research by qualified legal council, it is best to avoid carrying a firearm into a hospital.
Relevant Code(s):
The content of this page is for informational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for legal council, or intended as legal advice. It is recommended that you inquire with the state about the validity of the information contained herein.
