Indiana Legislative Session Wrap-Up
The 2026 Indiana legislative session adjourned Sine Die on February 27. This was a short session, but your NSSF government relations team had great success in making progress on behalf of our members through proactive legislation.
Both NSSF® priority bills that we told you about at the mid-point in session, House Bill 1052 and Senate Bill 176 passed and were signed into law by Governor Braun. We’d like to thank the lead legislators on each of these for their support of our industry. Rep. Ethan Manning (R-Logansport) and Rep. Garrett Bascom (R-Lawrenceburg) took the lead on HB 1052, specifically on the portion of the bill that applies to our industry. Sen. Jim Tomes (R-Wadesville) and Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) led the effort on SB 176, even as local government lobbyists and gun control groups tried to derail the bill until the very last day of session.
Additionally, we were able to defeat each of the several bills that were introduced to harm the firearm industry and Second Amendment Rights of Hoosiers. If you have questions or comments, please feel free to contact Chris Lee, NSSF’s Director of Government Relations – State Affairs at clee@nssf.org.
H.B.1052: Various administrative law matters.
Stance: *NSSF PRIORITY – SUPPORT
Author: Rep. Ethan Manning (R)
Status: SIGNED INTO LAW
Summary: This is a broad administrative law bill that touches on a variety of topics including gaming, horse racing, alcohol, tobacco, and importantly for NSSF, antique firearms. NSSF worked in the months leading up to session on a legislative fix to clarify that Indiana’s background check requirement for handguns does not apply to antique firearms or their replicas. It was introduced originally as House Bill 1221 by Rep. Garrett Bascom (R). In a regular procedural move, HB 1221 was amended (added) into HB 1052, which passed both chambers and was signed into law by Governor Braun.
As most industry members already know, antique firearms are not considered to be firearms under federal law, or under law in 45 states. Indiana law mandates that background checks be run on handgun purchases, but it is one of the five states that lacks an exemption for antique firearms. This puts our industry in a difficult position where Indiana law says that firearm retailers have to run a background check on antique handgun transfers, but Indiana uses the FBI National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Since federal law does not consider antique firearms to be firearms, the NICS system cannot be used on them. This leaves firearm retailers with no way to legally transfer antique handguns or their replicas. HB 1052 will fix this issue by exempting antique firearms, as defined by federal law, from the state background check mandate. This bill went into effect immediately upon signing.
S.B. 176: Regulation of firearms and shooting ranges.
Stance: *NSSF PRIORITY – SUPPORT
Author: Sen. James Tomes (R)
Status: SIGNED INTO LAW
Summary: Senate Bill 176, as introduced, simply said that local governments cannot regulate shooting ranges in a way that is more strict than state law. It sent a good message, but in practice, would have had little effect because state law says very little about the development of shooting ranges. The bill passed out of senate in its original form, but NSSF worked diligently with legislative partners to amend the bill in its house committee to strengthen the bill in some major ways. These are the major ways that the House Committee on Local Government amended the bill:
- Existing ranges – The bill clarifies that work such as maintenance, repairs, modernization, etc. is treated as an already permitted use, so does not require a new permit. It goes on to prohibit local governments from conditioning permits on terms such as annexation and requires local governments to act in a timely manner when approving permits for ranges.
- New indoor ranges – With limited exceptions, the bill establishes that indoor shooting ranges are permitted in areas that are zoned commercial, industrial, or agricultural without special hearings or approvals by local governments. The range has to be built in a way that ensures projectiles are contained within the facility and that noise will not significantly impact adjacent properties.
- New retail sporting goods stores – The bill defines a “retail sporting goods store” as one that is primarily engaged in the retail of new sporting goods classified under NAICC 45110, which includes items such as bikes, camping goods, athletic equipment, firearms, and related accessories. Local governments may require a letter showing that utilities will service a property and an application fee, but other than that, retail sporting goods stores are permitted on any parcel zoned for commercial use. There are some exceptions to these protections, including carveouts for historic areas, flood plains, and mixed use residential areas.
Senate Bill 176 was signed into law by Governor Braun and will go into effect on July 1, 2026.
H.B. 1274: Insurance mandated gun free zone notices.
Stance: SUPPORT
Author: Rep. Matt Commons (R)
Status: SIGNED INTO LAW
Summary: HB 1274 prohibits property and casualty insurers in Indiana from requiring policyholders to post or display gun free zone notices as a condition of insurance coverage for policies issued or amended after June 30, 2026.
S.B. 177: Return of firearm to rightful owner.
Stance: SUPPORT
Author: Sen. James Tomes (R)
Status: Inactive, Failed to Move Before Deadline
Summary: Senate Bill No. 177 proposes an amendment to the Indiana Code, specifically adding a new section (IC 35-47-3-5) to address the handling of firearms in the context of criminal law and procedure. The bill stipulates that individuals are prohibited from waiving the requirements outlined in Section 2 of the same chapter, which pertain to the return of a firearm to its rightful owner, as part of any plea agreement.
H.B. 1021: Firearm storage.
Stance: OPPOSE
Author: Rep. Mitch Gore (D)
Status: Inactive, Failed to Move Before Deadline
Summary: Updates Indiana law to expand definitions of child abuse, create new firearm storage requirements for caregivers, strengthen school employment restrictions and mandate public warnings by firearm dealers, all aimed at enhancing child safety and accountability.
H.B. 1089: Authority to prohibit firearms in local parks.
Stance: OPPOSE
Author: Rep. Sue Errington (D)
Status: Inactive, Failed to Move Before Deadline
Summary: The bill specifically adds a new provision allowing local government units (as defined in IC 36-1-2-23) to enact or enforce ordinances or resolutions that prohibit or restrict the possession of firearms in public parks operated or maintained by the unit. This represents a modification to the current law, which generally limits the ability of local governments to regulate firearms, by creating an explicit exception for public parks.
S.B. 16: Privately made firearms.
Stance: OPPOSE
Author: Sen. Lonnie Randolph (D)
Status: Inactive, Failed to Move Before Deadline
Summary: Senate Bill No. 16 proposes several amendments to Indiana's criminal law and procedure, specifically targeting the regulation of privately made firearms, often referred to as “ghost guns.” The bill introduces new definitions into the Indiana Code, including “frame,” “receiver,” “privately made firearm,” and “variant,” to clarify the components and types of firearms subject to regulation. A 'privately made firearm' is defined as a firearm or its frame/receiver that is manufactured, assembled or otherwise produced by an individual without a valid federal firearms license, or one that lacks a serial number placed by a licensed manufacturer at the time of production.
S.B. 82: Local regulation of firearms in Marion County.
Stance: OPPOSE
Author: Sen. Fady Qaddoura (D)
Status: Inactive, Failed to Move Before Deadline
Summary: The bill introduces a new provision permitting a county containing a consolidated city (such as Marion County, which includes Indianapolis) to enact firearm regulations that are more restrictive than state law, provided these regulations are recommended by a law enforcement agency with jurisdiction in the county. Examples of permissible regulations include requirements for safe firearm storage, licensing for handgun carry, expanded background checks, prohibitions on assault weapon purchases, raising the minimum firearm purchase age to 21 and strengthening red flag laws.
S.B. 130: Firearm storage.
Stance: OPPOSE
Author: Sen. Andrea Hunley (D)
Status: Inactive, Failed to Move Before Deadline
Summary: This bill would expand Indiana's laws on child safety by expanding definitions of child abuse, establishing new criminal penalties for failing to secure loaded firearms around children, mandating firearm safety education and resources and tightening employment standards in schools, with dedicated funding for public health initiatives on secure firearm storage. It also mandates that firearm retailers display various warnings about storage and allows health care practitioners to ask parents about firearm safety practices. |
