Buyback, safe storage, hunting: 20 gun bills proposed in Indiana
Gun safety, gun handling and gun records are all on the table as Indiana's 2025 General Assembly session is underway.
Lawmakers have filed multiple bills tied to firearms with proposals targeting buyback programs, safe storage and deer hunting. The bills follow recent years of landmark legislation surrounding guns being signed in the Hoosier State, including permitless carry and the law defining Glock switches as machine guns.
What the bill does: Senate Bill 27 requires that officers from a political subdivision's law enforcement agency are present during a gun buyback program to dispose of guns, conduct serial number searches, and to record identifying information from gun sellers. Such requirements are within the law enforcement agency's routine administrative functions and should be able to be implemented with no additional appropriations, assuming near customary agency staffing and resource levels. It also prevents the use of public funds for buyback programs.
Authored by: Sen. James Tomes, R-Wadesville. Co-authored by Sen. Blake Doriot, R-Goshen.
Read more about the bill: https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2025/senate/bills/SB0027/fiscal-notes/SB0027.01.INTR.FN001.pdf
What the bill does: Senate Bill 139 would restore the right to carry a gun to a person convicted of a serious violent felony involving a firearm if their charge is on track to be expunged and if a court finds they are not a danger to the public.
Authored by: Sen. Michael Crider, R-Greenfield. Co-author: James Tomes, R-Wadesville.
Read more about the bill here: https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2025/senate/bills/SB0139/SB0139.01.INTR.pdf
What the bill does: Senate Bill 152 would prohibit a person from carrying a firearm near a polling entrance, at the poll areas where voters congregate and the room where ballots are counted. Violators will be charged with a Class C misdemeanor. The bill also calls for raising the minimum age to carry a handgun to 21.
Authored by: Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago.
Read more about the bill here: https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2025/senate/bills/SB0152/SB0152.01.INTR.pdf
What the bill does: Senate Bill 153 makes it a low-level felony to possess a privately made firearm, which the bill defines as a gun that is "completed, assembled or otherwise produced" by a person who does not have a valid federal firearms license.
Authored by: Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago.
What the bill does: Senate Bill 204 would allow a lobbyist to carry a handgun inside the state capitol and its property if they undergo training and licensing requirements.
Authored by: Sen. James Tomes, R-Wadesville. Co-authored by Sen. Blake Doriot, R-Goshen.
Read more about the bill here: https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2025/senate/bills/SB0204/SB0204.01.INTR.pdf
What the bill does: Senate Bill 208 would require a child care home to disclose to parents or guardians if there is a firearm on the premises.
Authored by: Sen. Shelli Yoder, D-Bloomington
What the bill does: https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2025/senate/bills/SB0208/SB0208.01.INTR.pdf
What the bill does: Senate Bill 247 touches on several firearm-related matters. The bill first calls for firearm trades or sales to be transacted through a dealer and undergo a background check before the transaction. Violators could be charged with a low-level felony. Under the bill, a retail dealer would also be required to display a sign stating that failing to secure a firearm can pose a safety risk. The bill further prohibits "a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector from selling or delivering a: firearm that is not a handgun to a person who is less than 21 years of age; or semiautomatic assault weapon."
Authored by: Sen. Andrea Hunley, D-Indianapolis. Co-authored by Sen. La Keisha Jackson, D-Indianapolis and Sen. Mark Spencer, D-Gary.
Read more about the bill here: https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2025/senate/bills/SB0247/SB0247.01.INTR.pdf
What the bill does: Senate Bill 280 would allow deer hunting rifles to be used on public property during hunting season. The bill would remove rifle cartridge and case length limitations in the current law.
Authored by: Sen. Scott Baldwin, R-Noblesville and Sen. Chris Garten, R-Charlestown.
Read more about the bill here: https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2025/senate/bills/SB0280/SB0280.01.INTR.pdf
What the bill does: Senate Bill 325 would increase the penalty of burglary or robbery to a higher felony if the crime is committed on the property of a retail firearm establishment.
Authored by: Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis.
Read more about the bill here: https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2025/senate/bills/SB0325/SB0325.01.INTR.pdf
What the bill does: Senate Bill 404 would allow a juvenile charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, a felony, to be waived to adult court.
Authored by: Sen. Greg Taylor, D-Indianapolis.
Read more about the bill here: https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2025/senate/bills/SB0404/SB0404.01.INTR.pdf
What the bill does: House Bill 1039 would stop the online sale of ammunition unless steps are taken to prevent selling to minors. Violators face being charged with a Class A misdemeanor.
Authored by: Rep. Maureen Bauer, D-South Bend.
Read more about the bill here: https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2025/house/bills/HB1039/HB1039.01.INTR.pdf
More: Gun crime task force expands to better track suspects, illegal weapons in Central Indiana
What the bill does: House Bill 1137 would require a court to expunge certain red flag law records if it's determined the person is no longer dangerous.
Authored by: Rep. Ben Smaltz, R-Auburn. Co-authored by Rep. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour and Rep. Jake Teshka, R-North Liberty.
Read more about the bill here: https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2025/house/bills/HB1137/HB1137.01.INTR.pdf
What the bill does: House Bill 1170 would bar the state from regulating firearms, ammunition and accessories and the ownership, possession, storing, registration and transportation of guns.
Authored by: Rep. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour.
Read more about the bill here: https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2025/house/bills/HB1170/HB1170.01.INTR.pdf
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What the bill does: House Bill 1171 would specify that pointing a loaded or unloaded firearm during an arrest by police, to prevent escape or for self-defense among citizens is considered reasonable force.
Authored by: Rep. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour.
Read more about the bill here: https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2025/house/bills/HB1171/HB1171.01.INTR.pdf
What the bill does: House Bill 1317 would make it a Class A misdemeanor if a person who's been convicted of a domestic violence-related crime knowingly carries a gun.
Authored by: Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary
What the bill does: https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2025/house/bills/HB1317/HB1317.01.INTR.pdf
What the bill does: House Bill 1482 would allow cities to create public safety plans for a designated entertainment zone, such as a restriction on firearms.
Author: Rep. Edward DeLaney, D-Indianapolis
Read more about the bill here: https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2025/house/bills/HB1482/HB1482.01.INTR.pdf
What the bill does: House Bill 1676 would bring a felony neglect charge against a person who fails to secure a loaded firearm if their dependent gets ahold of the gun and it causes injury or death.
Bill author: Rep. Mitch Gore, D-Indianapolis.
Read more about the bill here: https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2025/house/bills/HB1676/HB1676.01.INTR.pdf
What the bill does: House Bill 1597 would offer a tax credit for safe gun storage expenses. The bill proposes 20% multiplied by the safe gun storage expenses incurred by the taxpayer or $200 (or $100 if a married person files a separate return).
Author: Rep. Dave Hall, R-Norman. Co-authored by Rep. Mitch Gore, D-Indianapolis.
Read more about the bill here: https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2025/house/bills/HB1597/HB1597.01.INTR.pdf
What the bill does: House Bill 1653 would repeal parts of the state's law allowing the confiscation of guns from a dangerous person and compiling statistics related to confiscating firearms from dangerous people.
Author: Rep. Zach Payne, R-Charlestown.
Read more about the bill here: https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2025/house/bills/HB1653/HB1653.01.INTR.pdf
What the bill does: House Bill 1657 would bar any authority to enforce, or attempt to enforce, certain federal firearm laws against a law-abiding person. The bill calls for penalties against political entities or law enforcement agencies that attempt to enforce or implement federal firearm laws.
Author: Rep. Lorissa Sweet, R-Wabash.
Read more about the bill here: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills/house/1657/details
Contact IndyStar reporter Sarah Nelson at sarah.nelson@indystar.com
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: These 2025 Indiana proposed bills could impact gun owners, sales
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