Indiana criminal charge
Pointing firearm at another person in Indiana
Pointing firearm at another person is a criminal offense under Indiana law, defined by Ind. Code § 35-47-4-3. 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 § 35-47-4-3.
What is the penalty for pointing firearm at another person in Indiana?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 6 months to 30 months (Pointing a loaded firearm at another person — A person knowingly or intentionally points a firearm at another person and the firearm was loaded.; fixed term; advisory sentence 1 year; court may enter judgment of conviction as a Class A misdemeanor in limited circumstances (IC 35-50-2-7(c))) | presumptive | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-7 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Pointing a loaded firearm at another person — A person knowingly or intentionally points a firearm at another person and the firearm was loaded.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-7 |
| Jail / prison | up to 1 year (Pointing an unloaded firearm at another person — A person knowingly or intentionally points a firearm at another person but the firearm was not loaded.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-3-2 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Pointing an unloaded firearm at another person — A person knowingly or intentionally points a firearm at another person but the firearm was not loaded.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-3-2 |
Applies to offenses committed after June 30, 2014 (P.L.158-2013).
How is pointing firearm at another person classified in Indiana?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pointing a loaded firearm at another person | Level 6 Felony | A person knowingly or intentionally points a firearm at another person and the firearm was loaded. | Ind. Code § 35-47-4-3(b) |
| Pointing an unloaded firearm at another person | Class A Misdemeanor | A person knowingly or intentionally points a firearm at another person but the firearm was not loaded. | Ind. Code § 35-47-4-3(b) |
Common questions about pointing firearm at another person in Indiana
Is pointing firearm at another person a felony or a misdemeanor in Indiana?
It depends on the circumstances: pointing firearm at another person ranges from a Class A Misdemeanor to a Level 6 Felony in Indiana under Ind. Code § 35-47-4-3.
Pointing a loaded firearm at another person: Level 6 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-47-4-3(b)) · Pointing an unloaded firearm at another person: Class A Misdemeanor (Ind. Code § 35-47-4-3(b))
What are the penalties for pointing firearm at another person in Indiana?
Which Indiana statute covers pointing firearm at another person?
Pointing firearm at another person is governed by Ind. Code § 35-47-4-3 (Pointing firearm at another person).
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.