Indiana Concealed Weapon Charges

It is fairly easy to obtain a concealed weapons permit in Indiana. Both residents and non-residents (must be employed in the state) can apply for a license. A one-page application should be submitted to the local police department or county sheriff, along with photos and fingerprints. A qualified weapons license for target practice and hunting is valid for four years. All other concealed weapons permits are unlimited which means that they are good for that person’s lifetime to defend their person or property. Indiana recognizes concealed weapons permits from every state and foreign country as long as the individual is not a resident of Indiana.

Indiana Weapons Laws

Anyone that has a concealed weapon and valid permit should inform law enforcement officers if they are detained for any reason. While the State of Indiana is extremely forgiving for some offenses in comparison to other states, they take certain laws very seriously. For example, Indiana law says that any child knowingly in possession of a firearm can be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony if it’s a second offense. Any person who supplies a firearm to a minor will be charged with a Class C felony offense.

Indiana Concealed Weapons Violations

Concealed weapons permit holders are prohibited from carrying their firearm in the following places:

• Public or private school property
• School buses
• Any property that is being used for a school function
• Controlled areas in airports
• All aircraft
• State fairs (weapon must be locked in vehicle)
• A riverboat casino
• Any shipping port controlled by the Indiana Port Commission

The penalties for concealed weapons violation in Indiana are detailed below:

Plea Options For Criminal Charges

Most criminal charges end with the defendant accepting a plea bargain. The prosecution may offer a plea agreement if the individual enters a guilty plea for a lesser offense. This is due in large part to the backlog of cases or if the prosecution feels they will be unable to obtain a guilty verdict. However, criminal defendants who are charged with a felony may wish to proceed to trial.

Advice From an Indiana Criminal Defense Attorney

Accepting a plea bargain means that the person gives up their right to be tried by a jury of their peers. An experienced criminal defense attorney can examine the facts of the case and make a recommendation that is best for your specific situation. If the prosecution lacks evidence or an illegal search and seizure took place, it may be possible to get the charges dismissed altogether.