Indiana criminal charge
Dangerous control of a firearm in Indiana
Dangerous control of a firearm is a criminal offense under Indiana law, defined by Ind. Code § 35-47-10-6. Its classification is not fixed: Indiana assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by Ind. Code § 35-47-10-6.
What is the penalty for dangerous control of a firearm in Indiana?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 6 years (Base offense — An adult knowingly or intentionally provides a firearm to a child the adult knows is ineligible to receive a firearm or intends to use it to commit a crime.; fixed term; advisory sentence 3 years) | presumptive | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-6 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Base offense — An adult knowingly or intentionally provides a firearm to a child the adult knows is ineligible to receive a firearm or intends to use it to commit a crime.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-6 |
| Jail / prison | 2 years to 12 years (Prior conviction — The adult has a prior conviction under this same section.; fixed term; advisory sentence 6 years) | presumptive | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-5.5 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Prior conviction — The adult has a prior conviction under this same section.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-5.5 |
| Jail / prison | 3 years to 16 years (Child commits murder with firearm — The child to whom the firearm was provided uses the firearm to commit murder.; fixed term; advisory sentence 9 years) | presumptive | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-5 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Child commits murder with firearm — The child to whom the firearm was provided uses the firearm to commit murder.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-5 |
Applies to offenses committed after June 30, 2014 (P.L.158-2013).
How is dangerous control of a firearm classified in Indiana?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base offense | Level 5 Felony | An adult knowingly or intentionally provides a firearm to a child the adult knows is ineligible to receive a firearm or intends to use it to commit a crime. | Ind. Code § 35-47-10-6undefined |
| Prior conviction | Level 4 Felony | The adult has a prior conviction under this same section. | Ind. Code § 35-47-10-6undefined |
| Child commits murder with firearm | Level 3 Felony | The child to whom the firearm was provided uses the firearm to commit murder. | Ind. Code § 35-47-10-6undefined |
Common questions about dangerous control of a firearm in Indiana
Is dangerous control of a firearm a felony or a misdemeanor in Indiana?
It depends on the circumstances: dangerous control of a firearm ranges from a Level 5 Felony to a Level 3 Felony in Indiana under Ind. Code § 35-47-10-6.
Base offense: Level 5 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-47-10-6) · Prior conviction: Level 4 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-47-10-6) · Child commits murder with firearm: Level 3 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-47-10-6)
What are the penalties for dangerous control of a firearm in Indiana?
Penalties for dangerous control of a firearm in Indiana depend on how it is classified — from a Level 5 Felony up to a Level 3 Felony — with the ranges set by Ind. Code § 35-50-2-6, Ind. Code § 35-50-2-5.5 and Ind. Code § 35-50-2-5; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Indiana statute covers dangerous control of a firearm?
Dangerous control of a firearm is governed by Ind. Code § 35-47-10-6 (Dangerous control of a firearm).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.