On July, 1st, the new Indiana law for gun permits will enact changes that could affect you and we’ve seen how gun-related misunderstandings can cause legal issues for folks who weren’t up to date on the laws. When an Indiana criminal defense attorney analyzes gun laws, it is to help the public to better understand them and to get the help they need if they experience gun-related legal trouble.

 Advice From an Indiana Criminal Defense Attorney

Indiana House Bill 1296 allows most people over the age of 18 to legally carry a handgun in public without a permit. Any criminal defense attorney in Indiana will encourage you to pay attention to the details, particularly to Indiana Code 2021, which defines who is allowed to carry a gun. It’s broken into 14 points, covering lots of ground.

Among the most salient points, proper persons include individuals who:

  • Do not have a conviction for resisting law enforcement going back five years
  • Do not have a conviction that could’ve amounted to a sentence of more than one year
  • Do not have a domestic violence conviction
  • Is not prohibited by a court order from possessing a handgun
  • Do not have a documented history of mental or emotional instability
  • Do not make a false statement of fact on their application

Remarks From Governor Holcomb

In a press release, Governor Eric Holcomb discussed how Indiana had joined 23 states that have laws comparable to HEA 1296. He advised that if a person is prohibited under state or federal laws from possessing a handgun before this new law going into effect, they are still prohibited from carrying a handgun and that this can result in prosecution.

Indiana State Police Doug Carter remarked that this law will challenge frontline law enforcement as House Bill 1296 is intricate and can be hard to understand and enforce. He encourages citizens to move with slowness and deliberation. A good Indiana criminal defense attorney would encourage the same.

Gun laws are complex. Contact Potts Law at (317) 951-0087 or fill out the online contact form to learn more about Indiana’s gun laws or if you have questions about representation from our firm.