Handgun Permits

Processing

The issuance of handgun permits is governed by the State of Indiana Firearms Act under Indiana Code IC 35-47-1. The La Porte Police Department strictly follows the State of Indiana Firearms Act when processing all handgun permit applications. Indiana handgun permit applications will be processed from 8 a.m. through 3 p.m. on Thursdays only.
 

Application

The La Porte Police Department is now accepting only online handgun license applications that have been filed through the State of Indiana's online application process.

The Indiana State Police does not accept paper applications any longer and the La Porte Police Department cannot assist you in filling out the online application. Fingerprints must have been taken through Inkless Fingerprinting prior to the applicant coming to the La Porte Police Department to complete the application process.


Duplicate Handgun Permits

The La Porte City police cannot assist you in any way in getting a duplicate handgun permit.

The only way to obtain a duplicate handgun permit is to send a letter to the Indiana State Police containing your full name, your date of birth, current address, the reason for the request for a duplicate permit, and a $5 money order made out to the State of Indiana to the following address:

Indiana State Police
Firearms Section
Indiana Government Center North
100 N. Senate Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46204



Residency Requirements

It should be noted that the State of Indiana Firearms requires that applicants living within the city limits of a municipality apply at the law enforcement agency of the city or town.

If the applicant lives outside the city limits of any municipality, then they must apply to the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction, which is normally going to be their county sheriff's department. Therefore, the La Porte Police Department cannot process handgun permit applications for La Porte County residents that do not live within the city limits. Those applications must be processed by the La Porte County Sheriff's Department. Absolutely no exceptions will be made.




False Information or Evidence
It should be noted that any person giving false information or offering false evidence in order to get a handgun permit will be charged with a felony. Upon conviction, he/she could be sentenced to up to five years in prison and be required to pay a $10,000 fine.
 
Fee Regulations
  • For a four-year Hunting and/or Target Permit, money order in the amount of $5 made out to the State of Indiana and $10 cash for the La Porte Police Department processing fee.
  • For a four-year Personal Protection Permit, money order in the amount of $30 made out to the State of Indiana and $10 cash for the La Porte Police Department's processing fee.
  • For a lifetime Hunting and/or Target Permit, if the applicant currently has a valid handgun permit, a money order in the amount of $20 made out to the State of Indiana and $40 cash for the La Porte Police Department processing fee.
  • For a lifetime Personal Protection Permit, if the applicant currently has a valid handgun permit, a money order in the amount of $60 made out to the State of Indiana and $40 cash for the La Porte Police Department's processing fee.
State of Indiana Firearms Act

The State of Indiana Firearms Act prohibits the issuance of handgun permits to persons that meet any of the following criteria.

  • A person who has a conviction for a crime for which they could have been sentenced to more than a year.
  • A person who has a conviction for any crime involving an inability to safely handle a handgun.
  • A person who has a conviction for any violation of the provisions of this article within the five years preceding his/her application.
  • A person who has a conviction for Resisting Law Enforcement in the five years preceding the permit application.
  • A person who has a record of being an alcohol or drug abuser as defined in the above listed Indiana Criminal Code.
  • A person who has documented evidence that would give rise to a reasonable belief that he/she has a propensity for violent or emotionally unstable conduct.
  • A person who made a false statement of material fact on his/her application.