Indiana Gun Laws: Can Visitors Carry Their Firearms?

In almost all instances, Indiana’s gun laws give out-of-state visitors the ability to carry firearms. The Hoosier State has reciprocity agreements with all but one American state: Vermont.

Indiana is among the most welcoming states when it comes to recognizing a person’s right to bear arms. As is the case with traveling to any state, persons visiting Indiana with an open-carry permit need to abide by all existing federal, state, and municipal laws and ordinances. A person needs to carry his or her permit at all times to demonstrate the legality of the firearm possession. But in most instances, there are few other restrictions.

URGENT: Do You Support President Obama’s Plans for Stricter Gun Control? Vote Now

Despite its overwhelmingly open arms, Indiana does have in place a few variations from one state to the next with reciprocity agreements. For example, Indiana will only accept permits issued in the home state of residents living in Colorado, Florida, Michigan, and New Hampshire, according to the National Rifle Association of America.

Reciprocity agreements are not necessarily a two-way street, as evidenced by the states accepting Indiana residents’ concealed carry permits. Twenty-nine states currently have their own reciprocity agreements with Indiana.

The states accepting Indiana residents’ concealed carry permits are Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Reciprocity agreements are an issue that have grabbed headlines in recent years, particularly in Illinois, which was the 50th state to have a law giving permit-holding persons the right to conceal carry their firearms.

Unlike its southeastern neighbor, Illinois is far stricter with out-of-towners. In order to lawfully conceal carry a firearm in the land of Lincoln, a person needs to obtain an Illinois-issued permit. In other words, Illinois does not have any reciprocity agreements in place with other states.

The State Journal-Register (of Springfield, Illinois) reports that the website of the Illinois State Police Department demonstrates just how stiff Illinois' regulations are when it states: “Only residents of states that have laws related to firearm ownership, possession and carrying that are substantially similar to the requirements to obtain a license (in Illinois) under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act are eligible.”

This article does not constitute legal advice. Check the current gun laws before purchasing or traveling with a firearm.

ALERT: Should Obama Have More Control Over Guns? Vote Now

Related Stories:

• Gun Owners Seek End to State Barriers to Concealed Weapons
• Texas Gun Laws: Can Visitors Carry Their Firearm?