SB 152 would create a new election-related firearms offense and tighten several handgun-carry rules in Indiana. The bill prohibits knowingly or intentionally carrying a firearm within 50 feet of certain voting-related locations, including the chute, the polls, areas where voters congregate or are likely to congregate, and rooms where ballots are being counted. It also prohibits carrying anywhere in or on the premises of a polling place when those locations are close enough to make the 50-foot buffer impossible to maintain. The offense is generally a Class C misdemeanor, but it becomes a Class A misdemeanor for repeat offenders and a Level 6 felony if the firearm is pointed at another person.
The bill also changes Indiana’s handgun licensing and carry laws by raising the minimum age to carry a handgun from 18 to 21, with a separate 23-year-old restriction for certain juvenile adjudications. It revises the list of people prohibited from carrying a handgun, including persons convicted of certain crimes, under indictment, subject to protective orders, adjudicated dangerous or mentally defective, committed to a mental institution, dishonorably discharged, or otherwise barred under federal law. The bill keeps Indiana’s permitless carry framework for eligible adults, but updates the licensing statute to reflect the new age limit and related eligibility rules. It also adds confidentiality provisions for handgun license information and requires notice and signage at polling places to support enforcement of the new firearms restriction.
The bill’s impact on state law would be significant in both election administration and firearms regulation. It would amend election code definitions of “polling place” and “polls,” create a new criminal offense tied to firearms near voting activity, and add a new firearms-related crime reference in the criminal code. It would also conform multiple handgun statutes to the new 21-year minimum age and adjust licensing, disqualification, and recordkeeping provisions for handgun carry in Indiana.
Because no committee transcripts or votes were provided, there is no recorded legislative debate or vote history to gauge sentiment. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears to reflect a strong public-safety and election-security approach, especially around protecting voters and ballot counting areas from armed presence. At the same time, the bill’s broad firearms restrictions and the age increase likely make it a contentious gun-policy proposal for supporters of expanded carry rights.
The main points of contention would likely be the scope of the polling-place firearm ban, the 50-foot buffer, and the requirement that election officers post detailed firearm prohibition notices. Another likely issue is the bill’s increase of the handgun-carry age to 21, which would narrow lawful carry for younger adults. Supporters would likely emphasize voter safety, orderly elections, and clearer enforcement rules, while opponents may argue that the bill burdens lawful gun owners and expands criminal penalties in ways that are too restrictive.
The bill would amend Indiana election and firearms statutes by creating a new crime for carrying firearms near polling places and ballot-counting areas, while also revising handgun-carry eligibility and licensing rules. It would raise the minimum age to carry a handgun to 21, update disqualifying conditions for carry, and add notice, signage, and confidentiality requirements tied to handgun licenses and polling-place firearm restrictions.
No committee discussion or votes were provided, so there is no documented legislative sentiment from the record supplied. From the bill text, the proposal appears to be driven by public-safety concerns around elections and firearms, suggesting support from those favoring tighter election-site security and more restrictive carry rules. The same features would likely draw opposition from gun-rights advocates and others concerned about expanded criminal liability and the higher carry age.
The most likely areas of contention are the firearm ban around polling places, the 50-foot perimeter rule, and the requirement that election officers post detailed prohibition notices. The bill’s increase of the handgun-carry age from 18 to 21 is another major flashpoint, as it would limit lawful carry for younger adults. Supporters would likely frame these provisions as necessary to protect voters and election workers, while opponents would likely argue they are overly broad and punitive.