I've heard that it is legal to carry in school parking lots as long as you don't get out of your car, but that's not exactly the impression that I get when I read this:
IC 35-47-9-2 Possession of firearms on school property or a school bus; defense to a prosecution; possession of firearms in a motor vehicle parked in a school parking lot Sec. 2. (a) A person may not be charged with an offense under this subsection if the person may be charged with an offense described in subsection (c). A person who knowingly or intentionally possesses a firearm: (1) in or on school property; or (2) on a school bus; commits a Level 6 felony. (b) It is a defense to a prosecution under subsection (a) that: (1) the person is permitted to legally possess the firearm; and (2) the firearm is: (A) locked in the trunk of the person's motor vehicle; (B) kept in the glove compartment of the person's locked motor vehicle; or (C) stored out of plain sight in the person's locked motor vehicle. (c) A person who is permitted to legally possess a firearm and who knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly leaves the firearm in plain view in a motor vehicle that is parked in a school parking lot commits a Class A misdemeanor.
It seems that if you very literally interpret this, a person could set themselves up for trouble. I suppose if the firearm was concealed and you didn't get out of the car AND the car was locked the entire time you would be in compliance, but if the car was locked the entire time, it would be a little difficult to drop off or pick up kids. Also, it would appear that the firearm should be locked in the trunk prior to entering the parking lot in the first place, assuming you intend to unlock your door. The way that I read this, the firearm must be in a locked part of the vehicle at all times, as well as out of sight... so either in the locked trunk, or in the glove compartment or out of sight with the doors locked. If you have a hatchback, does that still count as a "locked trunk" or must it be a fully enclosed "trunk?"
I'm not trying to be difficult or nit-picky, I'm trying to make sure I don't get arrested for doing something stupid. I haven't started carrying yet. I'm doing my research first, and won't start until I'm comfortable that all of my i's are dotted and my t's are crossed. When I'm not home I spend most of my time on school grounds, so it is very important that I understand the laws without being confused or muddling around in "grey area."
My typical afternoon is some variation of this: Drive to school #1 to pick up child #1... from there, drive straight to school #2 to pick up child #2... from there, drive straight to school #3 where they have a few of hours of practice; go in to the school while they practice there, unless one or both kids have meets. If there is a meet, drive on to various random schools #4 through #537 and go into those schools for the duration of the meet. I leave the house at 2:00 and don't return until late evening every day, but I am either at a school or driving between schools during that entire time. It seems like I would need to have my firearm locked up during that entire time, so would it make more sense to just leave it at home during "school run time?"
IC 35-47-9-2 Possession of firearms on school property or a school bus; defense to a prosecution; possession of firearms in a motor vehicle parked in a school parking lot Sec. 2. (a) A person may not be charged with an offense under this subsection if the person may be charged with an offense described in subsection (c). A person who knowingly or intentionally possesses a firearm: (1) in or on school property; or (2) on a school bus; commits a Level 6 felony. (b) It is a defense to a prosecution under subsection (a) that: (1) the person is permitted to legally possess the firearm; and (2) the firearm is: (A) locked in the trunk of the person's motor vehicle; (B) kept in the glove compartment of the person's locked motor vehicle; or (C) stored out of plain sight in the person's locked motor vehicle. (c) A person who is permitted to legally possess a firearm and who knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly leaves the firearm in plain view in a motor vehicle that is parked in a school parking lot commits a Class A misdemeanor.
It seems that if you very literally interpret this, a person could set themselves up for trouble. I suppose if the firearm was concealed and you didn't get out of the car AND the car was locked the entire time you would be in compliance, but if the car was locked the entire time, it would be a little difficult to drop off or pick up kids. Also, it would appear that the firearm should be locked in the trunk prior to entering the parking lot in the first place, assuming you intend to unlock your door. The way that I read this, the firearm must be in a locked part of the vehicle at all times, as well as out of sight... so either in the locked trunk, or in the glove compartment or out of sight with the doors locked. If you have a hatchback, does that still count as a "locked trunk" or must it be a fully enclosed "trunk?"
I'm not trying to be difficult or nit-picky, I'm trying to make sure I don't get arrested for doing something stupid. I haven't started carrying yet. I'm doing my research first, and won't start until I'm comfortable that all of my i's are dotted and my t's are crossed. When I'm not home I spend most of my time on school grounds, so it is very important that I understand the laws without being confused or muddling around in "grey area."
My typical afternoon is some variation of this: Drive to school #1 to pick up child #1... from there, drive straight to school #2 to pick up child #2... from there, drive straight to school #3 where they have a few of hours of practice; go in to the school while they practice there, unless one or both kids have meets. If there is a meet, drive on to various random schools #4 through #537 and go into those schools for the duration of the meet. I leave the house at 2:00 and don't return until late evening every day, but I am either at a school or driving between schools during that entire time. It seems like I would need to have my firearm locked up during that entire time, so would it make more sense to just leave it at home during "school run time?"