The NRA convention is coming to Indianapolis. Here's where it's legal to carry a gun.
Dwight AdamsThe National Rifle Association is billing its annual convention as "15 acres of guns and gear." And local tourism officials expect up to 80,000 people in town for the event.
As the NRA Convention for 2019 gets ready to return to Indianapolis, people want to know more about the state's carry law for firearms and answers to other questions.
Here's what you should know.
Can you carry a gun at the convention?
According to the NRA's website, the carrying of personal firearms will be allowed inside the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium during the convention from April 26-28, as long as the owner is licensed to do so under Indiana law.
"When carrying your firearm, remember to follow all federal, state and local laws," the NRA advises.
You don't need a license to own a gun in Indiana, and there's also no requirement to register a handgun, rifle or shotgun in Indiana.
However, you do need a license to carry a handgun in public here. That license to carry requirement applies unless you're on property you own, rent or lease, or the property owner has given you specific permission to carry a handgun on his or her property.
The Indiana State Police website allows you to apply for a carry permit online, but you will still need to schedule a time to submit your fingerprints electronically and visit your local police or sheriff's department to review your application and pay the fee.
Indiana gun laws:What you need to know about the license to carry
Where can you legally carry a gun outside?
No license is required to carry a rifle or shotgun outside in Indiana.
However, as mentioned above, you must have a license to legally carry a handgun outside. The law doesn't specify whether a handgun can be carried out in the open or must be concealed. The Indiana State Police advises gun owners to use discretion, since carrying a gun in plain sight in public could be threatening to some people and attract unwanted attention to yourself.
Tom Sellas, commander of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department's Homeland Security Bureau, also had advice for gun owners on this issue.
"I know with the (NRA) convention coming down here, we will have a lot of people who will carry," he said.
"It's always good to have your firearm concealed, even though it's not required. People can get a little nervous when they see people carrying a firearm when they're not wearing a uniform."
Can you buy a gun at the convention and carry it out?
No. Ammunition and firearm sales will not not permitted during the convention, according to the NRA's website about the convention.
"You are unable to leave the NRA trade show floor with a gun," said Chris Gahl, senior vice president of marketing and communications for Visit Indy. "Those transactions won't be handled here."
Can you carry a gun at Trump's appearance?
The answer is an emphatic no.
The Secret Service will be handling security when President Donald Trump speaks at the NRA-ILA Leadership Forum at 11 a.m. on April 26 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
"As a result, firearms and firearm accessories, knives or weapons of any kind will be prohibited in the forum prior to and during his attendance," the NRA said.
Here's a complete list of items that won't be allowed inside the stadium when Trump speaks:
- Aerosols
- Ammunition
- Backpacks
- Bags larger than 18"x13"x7"
- Drones and other unmanned aircraft systems
- Firearms
- Glass, thermal, or metal containers
- Gun parts, holsters, magazines, etc.
- Knives
- Laser pointers
- Mace/pepper spray
- Selfie sticks
- Signs
- Toy guns
- Umbrellas
- Weapons of any kind
- Any other item determine to be potential safety hazards
However, a group called Knife Rights will provide complimentary storage for knives and other prohibited items at the North Gate entrance.
Can you carry a gun to the Alan Jackson concert?
There also will be no guns allowed inside Lucas Oil Stadium for the concert by country music star Alan Jackson on April 27.
Country music is often featured at an NRA convention. Megagroup Alabama was the headliner the last time the NRA was here in Indianapolis in 2014.
Country headliner:Alan Jackson will provide country soundtrack for NRA convention in Indianapolis
Can you carry a firearm in businesses in Indianapolis?
The NRA already says you have permission to carry a firearm at the convention, if you're meeting state law requirements.
As far as whether you can carry a gun inside a hotel, restaurant or other business in Indianapolis, that permission is up to the property owner. Gun owners should know that in Indiana, private businesses can prohibit the carrying of firearms on their premises.
"Private businesses have the right to restrict any type of firearm on their property," Sellas said.
He also advised visitors to secure their firearms in a safe place. One possibility is to ask employees at the hotel where they are staying if they can store their firearms in the hotel safe. But Sellas said they shouldn't just leave their guns in their car, even if it is kept locked.
"Leaving it in your car is not a good idea," he said. "That's not a safe place to keep your firearm."
Are any local businesses prohibiting firearms?
Neither Sellas nor Gahl said they were aware of any Indianapolis businesses prohibiting firearms.
"I have not heard of any establishments that have posted signs, but there may be some that I'm not aware of," Sellas said.
Gahl, senior vice president president of marketing and communications, said Visit Indy hasn't heard of any local businesses with concerns about the NRA Convention or its attendees.
"At this point, we have not heard or seen any business owner or tourism partner post either on their premises or on social media any other message than a welcoming one," Gahl said.
"When we say 'Indy welcomes all,' we mean that. We communicated to our restaurants and hotels, please be prepared to welcome one of the largest conventions to Indianapolis."
Call IndyStar digital producer Dwight Adams at (317) 444-6532. Follow him on Twitter: @hdwightadams.