Looking for some insight

[Snickers Mcgee]

I have had my permit for about two months now and I don't really the do's and don'ts of conceal carry in Indiana. For example. I have heard that you can't carry on school grounds, but the exception is if you are picking up your kids it's fine. But once you step out of the vehicle, you are in violation. I don't know if that is fact, or fiction. So any insight/tips would be much appreciated so I can remain a law abiding citizen . Thanks!

 

[ashylarry]

no post offices, parks (is IN have no guns in all parks or is that just federal land)?

 

[Bill of Rights]

• In or On School Property.
• On A School Bus.
• In or On Property Being Used By A School For A School Function.
• Private School (IC 20-9.1-1-3) & (IC 35-41-1-24.7).
• Head Start (IC 35-41-1-24.7
• Preschool (IC 35-41-1-24.7). *
• On an Aircraft.
• Controlled Access Areas Of An Airport
• A Riverboat Casino.
• During Annual State Fair 80 IAC 4-4-4 (Must lock in Vehicle.)
• Shipping Port 130 IAC 4-1-8 (Controlled by IN Port Commission)

* (IC 35-47-9-1 Allows carry of firearms by persons permitted to possess & who are transporting a person to/from school/a school function. )


The above are covered by state law, as cited. Federal properties and secure areas of airports are covered by Federal law also, and local ordinances still permit localities to regulate properties they own and control, i.e. courthouses.

Hope that helps.

Blessings,
B

 

[Snickers Mcgee]

What about restaurants? The same gentleman told me any place serving or selling alcohol was prohibited. Is that true?

 

[Bill of Rights]

What about restaurants? The same gentleman told me any place serving or selling alcohol was prohibited. Is that true?

No such restriction in Indiana. Many states do have this law but we do not and have not had adverse effects for the lack of it. As is well known and oft-repeated, criminals will carry there anyway, if they choose to do so. Those who obey laws will be the only ones not carrying in such a place.

As for parks, State parks are DNR land, and these are no longer prohibited either, also without adverse effect-no "picnics destroyed by gunfire" or "blood running in the trails" or any such.

Blessings,
B

Correction: There are a couple of parks (names escape me at the moment) which are under Federal control and still restrict carry by those who obey laws. I'll add those places' names in ASAP.

ETA: Reservoirs controlled by US Army Corps of Engineers and Falls of the Ohio State Park are restricted. For more info, Indiana CCW Concealed Carry Hand Gun Legal Info

 

[Snickers Mcgee]

Ok. What if I am pulled over and I am carrying. What should I do?

 

[Bocephus]

Ok. What if I am pulled over and I am carrying. What should I do?

If the cop looks at you and says "your eyes look red, have you been drinking?" Look at him and say "Your eyes look glazed, have you been eating doughnuts?"

Then lunge tward the glovebox to get your registration, he'll apprieciate the hustle.

Be sure and ask him "You aren't checking the trunk are you?"

 

[Snickers Mcgee]

Haha, I will. I'll let you know how that one goes. Either that or you'll read about it the next day.

 

[Bocephus]

 

[Steelman]

Haha, I will. I'll let you know how that one goes. Either that or you'll read about it the next day.

I believe that I've avoided two speeding tickets by:


1. Pulling over to the right side of the road

2. Turning on dome light (during night time stop)

3. Having hands on steering wheel (wrists on top of wheel at 10 and 2)

4. Notifying officer of LTCH after he asks for lic and reg


In both cases, the officer requested the weapon, cleared it and placed it in cruiser during traffic stop. Weapon was returned unloaded and unharmed.

And yeah.....I should've been ticketed on both occasions.

 

[Snickers Mcgee]

No kidding. Did you unload it prior to them taking it?

 

[Steelman]

Nope. Officer asks for my Glock he gets it as is!

Good idea to avoid both furtive movements and trying to manipulate the weapon in any form. If they wanted it unloaded they would instruct you to do so.

YMMV............not a lawyer-not a lawyer-not a lawyer

 

[Snickers Mcgee]

Gotcha. Sweet deal. Is it wise to open carry? I've been hearing mixed opinions.

 

[Steelman]

I am the LAST person on this forum to ask about open carry of any firearm.

MOST folks have not reported problems open carrying a handgun w/ a valid LTCH. It's technically legal, but you can be harrassed.

One story was from a manager at Don's Guns (one of my few visits to the store). The manager claims that he was instructed by an IPD officer to "cover it up" while visiting a Speedway gas station. He complied with the instruction and went on his way.

 

[Bill of Rights]

Ok. What if I am pulled over and I am carrying. What should I do?

Lots of things factor into this answer. I'm going to base my answer on you being in possession of your weapon and your little pink paper, and further on this being an "excessive speed" infraction without any other violations.
Note that IANAL and TINLA disclaimers apply-
I Am Not A Lawyer.
This Is Not Legal Advice.

Pull over.
Hands on the wheel, 10 o'clock/2 o'clock. Roll down your window. Cooperate. Unless you are either asked about your LTC or are about to be searched (They DO have probable cause and a warrant to search, right?, rather than your permission?) do not volunteer that you are armed nor that you hold a license allowing them to do so. Again, cooperate. I can't stress this too much. If the officer exceeds his authority in some way (not likely but possible) call his or her chief the next day, or your lawyer, or both. IN law specifies you must show your LTC on request of a police officer, if you are carrying. If you are asked about it, then tell the officer where the LTC is before you go reaching for it. Also tell them where your weapon is prior to reaching:

"Do you have a License to Carry a Handgun?"
"Yes, sir, I do. It's in my wallet in my back right pocket. Do you need to see it?"
"Yes, please."
"OK. My pistol is holstered just above that. I'll reach with my left hand behind me to get the License out for you."
"Let me get the gun first."
"Officer, I'm willing to cooperate, but for both our safety, the gun won't go off in it's holster and I'd prefer if you didn't reach across me to get it. "

Cooperate, but don't be afraid to speak up if what they want to do is an unsafe act. If they insist on disarming you, offer to step out so they can easier reach without having to have your own pistol cover your body. Remember Jeff Cooper's Rule #2: never point a gun at anything you are not willing to destroy.

This should give you a good idea how to proceed. I hope it's helpful but never necessary, and invite comments from others.

Neither open nor concealed carry is specified in state law, thus, either is acceptable and not unlawful. Wise? Dude, that's YOUR call.

Blessings,
B

 

[Steelman]

Unless you are either asked about your LTC or are about to be searched (They DO have probable cause and a warrant to search, right?, rather than your permission?) do not volunteer that you are armed nor that you hold a license allowing them to do so.

Yeah. If you've got 2 dead hookers and a kilo of blow in the trunk, you may just want to take your $80 speeding ticket and walk on.

I'm just relating my personal experience that if you notify an officer of your permit they're usually so happy they're doing "real police work" - they may just forget about the ticket.

I don't like saying ANYTHING during a traffic stop, but once (twice) upon a time, I got out of being ticketed. I'll note that one was a State boy and the other a MCSD Dep. Both depts thrive on writing tickets.

Not a lawyer

 

[Snickers Mcgee]

Ok. I understand. Is there anything else? Anybody?

 

[pmpmstrb]

I've been pulled over twice while carrying. Both times I informed them that I was carrying. Neither time did they ask to see my LTCH or ask for my firearm. When I told them I was carrying they said ok, took a half step to the right, gripped their pistol, unsnapped, and then gave me the go ahead to get me DL out of my back pocket. Both times I should have gotten a ticket (one was a 52 in a 35, ouch). Best thing to do is be up front and honest. If you were speeding own up to it, they've heard every excuse in the book. Also one thing that the others haven't mentioned is turn the vehicle off. It will put the Officer a little more at ease.

 

[Snickers Mcgee]

Thanks! I know you guys aren't lawyers, and I would get my lawyer if (god forbid) something were to happen. Like I said, I just want to remain a law abiding citizen, but nobody has taken time to show do's and don'ts until now. So any advice on anything carry-related would be much appreciated so I can be safe and not another story in the news due to negligence.

 

[Lars]

I HIGHLY recommend buying a copy of.
Indiana Handgun Law