Indiana carry status overview
Indiana is a permitless carry state, and unusually it sets the permitless age at 18 rather than 21. The License to Carry Handgun was made optional, not abolished — the Indiana State Police still issue it free of charge. HEA 1296, signed by Governor Eric Holcomb and effective July 1, 2022, allows any Indiana resident or visitor 18 years of age or older who is legally eligible to possess a handgun to carry it concealed or openly without any license or permit.
Unlike most other permitless carry states, Indiana does not issue a state carry license for reciprocity purposes. Indiana residents who want to carry legally in other states that require a permit must obtain a non-resident permit from another state — such as Utah, Arizona, or Florida — that offers non-resident permits honored by many other states.
| Permitless carry | Yes — effective July 1, 2022 (HEA 1296) |
| Governing law | Indiana Code § 35-47-2 |
| Minimum age | 18 years old |
| Open carry | Yes — permitted for eligible persons |
| Vehicle carry | Allowed without permit |
| State carry license | Indiana no longer issues handgun licensesResidents needing reciprocity elsewhere should get the free Indiana LTCH first; a non-resident AZ/UT/FL permit only adds states the Indiana licence does not reach |
Travelling with an Indiana licence
Indiana residents do have a state-issued carry credential, and it costs nothing. HEA 1296 made the License to Carry Handgun optional inside Indiana — it did not end the programme. The Indiana State Police still issue the LTCH free of charge, and it is what other states recognise for reciprocity. It is also what satisfies the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act exemption, which permitless carry does not — relevant any time you drive within 1,000 feet of a school.
Solution for Indiana travelers: Several states issue non-resident permits that are honored in many other states. Popular options for Indiana residents:
- Utah Concealed Firearm Permit (non-resident) — available to any eligible adult, honored in 30+ states, requires a Utah-approved online or in-person course, $49 fee
- Arizona Concealed Weapons Permit (non-resident) — available to non-residents, honored in 30+ states, requires an AZ-approved firearms training course
- Florida CWL (non-resident) — available to non-residents, honored in 37+ states, requires proof of training, $97 fee
Combining two of these permits typically covers 40+ states. See our Non-Resident Carry Guide for details.
Vehicle carry in Indiana
Any person 18 or older who is legally eligible to possess a handgun may carry it in a vehicle in Indiana — loaded, concealed, or openly — without any permit or license. Prior to HEA 1296, a handgun license was required for loaded carry in a vehicle.
Prohibited locations in Indiana
- K–12 school property and school buses (IC § 35-47-9-2)
- Correctional facilities and jails
- Courthouses and court facilities
- Riverboat gambling facilities
- Domestic violence shelters
- Airport secured areas
- Locations prohibited by federal law
- Private property with posted prohibition
Note: Indiana has a strong preemption law — local governments generally cannot enact firearms restrictions more restrictive than state law. This means carry rules are largely uniform statewide.
Frequently asked questions — Indiana
Does Indiana require a permit to carry a handgun?
No. As of July 1, 2022, Indiana allows any person 18 or older who is legally eligible to possess a handgun to carry it concealed or openly without any permit or license. This applies to both Indiana residents and visitors.
Can I get an Indiana carry permit for use in other states?
Indiana still issues one, and it is free. HEA 1296 made the License to Carry Handgun optional for carrying inside Indiana; it did not abolish the programme. The Indiana State Police still issue the LTCH at no cost, and you need it for two things permitless carry does not cover: reciprocity when you travel to permit-required states, and the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act exemption. Get the free Indiana licence before paying for a non-resident AZ/UT/FL permit. Check our Non-Resident Carry Guide for details.
What is the minimum age to carry in Indiana?
18 years old. Indiana's minimum age of 18 is lower than most permitless carry states, which typically require age 21. As long as you are 18+ and not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm under Indiana or federal law, you may carry without a permit.
Can I carry in my car in Indiana?
Yes. Indiana permitless carry applies in vehicles. Any person 18 or older who is legally eligible to possess a handgun may keep it loaded and accessible in a vehicle without any permit or license.
Does Indiana honor out-of-state carry permits?
Indiana recognizes valid carry licenses from all other states. However, since Indiana itself is a permitless carry state, out-of-state visitors who are 18+ and legally eligible to possess a handgun may also carry in Indiana without any permit at all — their home-state permit is not required here.