Skip to Main Content
Last updated .

Child Access Prevention

Indiana has no law that imposes a penalty on someone who fails to secure an unattended firearm and leaves it accessible to an unsupervised minor.

However, Indiana does provide that a child’s parent or legal guardian commits the crime of “dangerous control of a child” if he or she knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly permits the child (defined as a person under age 18;1 ) to possess a firearm, either:

  • While aware of a substantial risk that the child will use the firearm to commit a felony; and
  • While failing to make reasonable efforts to prevent the use of a firearm by the child to commit a felony; or
  • When the child has been convicted of a crime of violence or has been adjudicated as a juvenile for an offense that would constitute a crime of violence if the child were an adult;2

In addition, an adult who knowingly or intentionally provides a firearm to a child for any purpose other than those specified3 commits “dangerous control of a firearm,” a Class C felony.4

A child who knowingly or intentionally provides a firearm to another child with or without remuneration for any purpose other than those described in section 35-47-10-1, with or without remuneration, commits “dangerous possession of a firearm,” a Class A misdemeanor.5

Firearms in youth camps must be locked in cabinets or buildings.6 Caregivers in child care homes must keep all ammunition and firearms in a locked area inaccessible to children whenever children are present.7 Providers at certain child care facilities must ensure that firearms and ammunition are secured in a locked area, by key or combination, where children cannot gain access.8 A provider of child care services is ineligible to receive voucher payments if it operates a facility where firearms, ammunition, or other weapons are stored in a place that is accessible to children.9

Safe Storage

Indiana has no law that requires unattended firearms to be stored in a certain way.

Indiana does not require a locking device to accompany the sale of a firearm, and no state statutes require firearm owners to affirmatively lock their weapons.

MEDIA REQUESTS

Our experts can speak to the full spectrum of gun violence prevention issues. Have a question? Email us at media@giffords.org.

Contact
  1. See Ind. Code Ann. § 35-47-10-3.[]
  2. Ind. Code Ann. § 35-47-10-7.[]
  3. See the exceptions to the child possession and transfer restrictions at Ind. Code Ann. § 35-47-10-1.[]
  4. Ind. Code Ann. § 35-47-10-6.[]
  5. Ind. Code Ann. § 35-47-10-5(b).[]
  6. 410 Ind. Admin. Code 6-7.2-21(g).[]
  7. 470 Ind. Admin. Code 3-1.1-48(e).[]
  8. 470 Ind. Admin. Code 3-18-10(a).[]
  9. Ind. Code Ann. § 12-17.2-3.5-17.[]