Indiana statute
Ind. Code § 35-47-2.5-16 — Criminal transfer of a firearm
Current through 2026 Regular Session
Part of Chapter 2.5: Sale of Handguns, Indiana Code.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Ind. Code § 35-47-2.5-16
Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of Indiana.
Sec. 16. (a) This section does not apply to a person who complies with IC 35-47-10 (governing children and firearms). (b) A person who provides a firearm to an individual who the person knows: (1) is ineligible to purchase or otherwise receive or possess a firearm for any reason other than the person's age; or (2) intends to use the firearm to commit a crime; commits criminal transfer of a firearm, a Level 5 felony. However, the offense is a Level 3 felony if the individual uses the firearm to commit murder ( IC 35-42-1-1 ). (c) It is a defense to a prosecution under subsection (b)(1) that: (1) the accused person (or dealer acting on the person's behalf) contacted NICS to request a background check on the individual before the accused person provided the firearm to the individual; and (2) the accused person (or dealer acting on the person's behalf) received authorization from NICS to provide the firearm to the individual.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is criminal transfer of a firearm a felony or a misdemeanor in Indiana?
It depends on the circumstances: criminal transfer of a firearm ranges from a Level 5 Felony to a Level 3 Felony in Indiana under Ind. Code § 35-47-2.5-16.
Criminal transfer of a firearm - base offense: Level 5 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-47-2.5-16(b)) · Criminal transfer of a firearm - resulting in murder: Level 3 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-47-2.5-16(b))
Which Indiana statute covers criminal transfer of a firearm?
Criminal transfer of a firearm is governed by Ind. Code § 35-47-2.5-16 (Criminal transfer of a firearm).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.