This piece discusses the firearms and ammunition laws for the state of Indiana. To do so, the piece starts off with the ammo laws, especially focusing on the process of buying ammunition and having it shipped to a residential address in the state. From there, we cover the firearms buying process in IN and describe the processes for legally carrying a firearm in Indiana. To wrap things up, the piece ends with some resources that we think you will find useful if you plan to buy, own, and carry firearms and ammunition in Indiana.
Overall, Indiana has fairly permissive firearms laws: thus, many of the regulations for buying, owning, and carrying ammo and guns in the state come from the ATF’s Federal rules. Where state laws are concerned, Indiana is one of the many states with preemption. That means that the state legislature has passed a law that states that smaller political units like cities and counties cannot make and enforce gun laws that are stricter than those at the state level.
This is good news for the average gun owner because it means that once you understand the state laws, those laws apply uniformly across the entire state. Given Indiana’s relatively permissive laws, it is not a difficult state to be a firearms owner who carries in public in everyday life. There are few restrictions in the state beyond those set at the Federal level.
Nothing in this piece is intended as legal advice: we do hope, however, that you find it as an informative base of knowledge for those who are interested in the legal processes for buying, owning, and carrying firearms and ammo in the state of Indiana.
Ammo Laws/Buying Ammo in Indiana
First, we will cover the ammo laws of Indiana.
Generally, Indiana has permissive ammunition laws, with one exception: the state bans folks from owning armor-piercing handgun ammunition. Aside from this ban, the state follows federal guidelines in terms of the purchasing of ammunition.
To buy ammo in Indiana, two requirements that are mandated at the federal level have to be met. First is an age requirement: the buyer has to be eighteen years of age or older to buy rifle or shotgun ammo, and at least twenty-one to buy handgun ammo. Secondly, prohibited persons are not allowed to purchase ammunition. Generally, prohibited persons are people who have been convicted of felonies or domestic violence, those who have been deemed mentally unfit in court, and people who have been involuntarily committed to a mental health facility.
Assuming those requirements are met, it is legal to have ammunition shipped to a residential address in the state. Keep in mind, though, that some carriers will impose additional restrictions. Somewhat commonly, carriers will ask that an adult with a valid form of identification be present to sign for a package containing ammunition.
Once the ammunition is in the buyer’s possession, Indiana does not have a restriction on the capacity of magazines into which that ammunition can be placed.
Gun Laws/Buying Guns in Indiana
Next, we will do the same exercise for gun laws in Indiana.
Overall, Indiana has fairly permissive gun laws. There are no bans on assault weapons or any other specific types of firearms in the state. Thus, the buying process for a firearm follows federal guidelines.
As long as the buyer meets the age requirement and is not a prohibited person, it is possible to complete a firearms transaction in one visit. The buyer should bring a form of payment and a current form of identification. The FFL will have the buyer fill out ATF Form 4473 for a background check. Once this background check and the payment both clear, the buyer can leave the same day with the gun.
Indiana does not require private parties to conduct background checks when selling guns to other private parties. With that said, it is always advisable to do some due diligence to ensure that the buyer is not a prohibited person.
Indiana is also permissive when it comes to carrying firearms. It is one of a growing number of states that allow people to carry both openly and concealed without a permit. Like most permitless carry states, Indiana does continue to offer concealed carry permits.
The main benefit of getting the Indiana concealed carry permit is that other states recognize the permit, which allows Indiana residents to legally carry a firearm concealed in a number of other states, though some restrictions do apply and are worth researching before heading out on a road trip.
Whether carrying with or without a permit, Indiana follows the national trend of having a list of places where firearms are forbidden. In Indiana, this includes:
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Schools
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Airports
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Aircraft
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Riverboat casinos
This list is common to nearly every state, and most states offer a longer published list than the one from Indiana’s state government. Even though it is not specifically in Indiana state law, it is typically against the law to carry firearms on Federal government property. This is especially noteworthy in states with permitless carry: your local Post Office is technically Federal property, so carrying a concealed handgun in one is actually a Federal offense. Many Post Offices either do not post this notice at all, or seem to do so at the very back of the customer service area, so make sure to not accidentally carry a firearm into the Post Office while doing errands.
There is some presence of the firearms industry in Indiana as well. One small manufacturer is especially interesting: Marcolmar makes newly built replicas of the CETME, so if you’re interested in the firearms that were developed in the immediate aftermath of WWII, they’re worth a look.
Overall, the firearms and ammo laws in Indiana are among the least restrictive in the nation. Most folks can have ammo shipped directly to their doors, the buying process is mostly guided by the Federal government, and people can generally carry firearms both openly and concealed in public.
The state’s ban on armor-piercing handgun ammunition is a little out of the norm with the otherwise quite permissive laws of the state, but this one small restriction is only a minor ding on the otherwise firearms-friendly reputation in the state. Indiana does not make it overly difficult for otherwise law-abiding folks to buy, own, and carry firearms and ammunition.
Sales Tax on Guns/Ammo in Indiana
Indiana has a state sales tax rate of 7%. Indiana is one of the few states that prevents localities from collecting their own taxes, which means that the 7% tax rate is applied across the entire state. The state also exempts groceries from sales tax, which is always helpful to pinch pennies for the ammunition budget.
Like most states, Indiana does not place additional taxes on the sale of firearms or ammunition.
More Resources:
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The ATF maintains a list of every FFL in the country, including those in Indiana. The list is kept up to date: typically, gun stores are either Type One or Type Two FFLs.
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Indiana’s Department of Natural Resources maintains a number of shooting ranges that are open to the public.
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The state is home to a number of well-reviewed gun stores.
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Indiana Gun Owners is an active forum to keep on top of relevant developments in law and events in the state: there is also a booming classifieds section that is sure to yield the occasional interesting firearm or good deal.