NOTICE: EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2022, AN INDIANA RESIDENT IS NO LONGER REQUIRED TO POSSESS A VALID HANDGUN PERMIT TO CARRY A HANDGUN IN AN INDIANA PUBLIC PLACE. A INDIANA PERSONAL PROTECTION PERMIT CAN CONTINUE TO BE OBTAINED, BUT IT IS NO LONGER REQUIRED. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE.
Renewing or applying for a new Indiana Handgun License, also called an Indiana Personal Protection Permit or Indiana Hunting and Target Permit; four year or lifetime, BEGINS ON-LINE WITH THE INDIANA STATE POLICE. Please note that Indiana DOES NOT require or provide a mechanism for Firearm Registration.
STEP ONE:
Determine eligibility, apply and pay the ISP license fee at https://firearms.ariesportal.com.
STEP TWO:
Schedule and complete Inkless Electronic fingerprinting for your handgun license application. You will be prompted with details at the end of your on-line application process, however more information on scheduling your ink-less fingerprinting, click on the following link:
InkLess Electronic Fingerprinting / MorphoTrust
STEP THREE:
Local police agency review.
Applicants who are residents of the City of Charlestown, should perform this step with the Charlestown Police Department. If your residence mailing address includes the 47111 zip code, but is located outside of the city limits of Charlestown; this step is completed with the Clark County Sheriff’s Department.
Charlestown resident Handgun License application reviews and fee payments can be performed Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm (excluding holidays); at the CHPD headquarters, located at 703 Main Street, Charlestown, IN. Contacting the Records Division at 812-256-7136 to check the availability of personnel to perform these services in advance is recommended.
*There is no Indiana statute that prohibits carrying a firearm while wearing a mask.
Effective July 1, 2021 the lifetime license to carry a handgun (LTCH) will become fee exempt, per IC 35-47-2-4..
Effective July 1, 2020 the five-year license to carry a handgun (LTCH) will become fee exempt, per IC 35-47-2-4. The five year and lifetime LTCH may be applied for and held concurrently.
The five-year and lifetime LTCH will NOT qualify as an alternative to the NICS background check requirement. The language is in place in the statute to create the groundwork needed for the NICS exemption however the NICS check is governed Federally. Only the ATF can certify the five-year LTCH to qualify as an alternative to the NICS requirements. Currently there is no additional information on if or when the Indiana five-year LTCH may become an alternative to the NICS background check.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES OF INFORMATION:
NEW HANDGUN LICENSE APPLICATION TUTORIAL
INDIANA HANDGUN LICENSE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
EMAIL YOUR INDIANA FIREARMS LICENSE QUESTIONS TO IN STATE POLICE