The 2026 Indiana General Assembly Legislative Session came to a close on 27 February. Despite being pressed for time in a short session, it was a very good year. We had three solid bills backed by the ISRPA (as well as the NRA and National Shooting Sports Foundation) pass both chambers and now move on for the Governor’s signature.
House Bill 1052 Various Administrative Law Matters
Among many other things this bill aligned Indiana Code with US Code in reference to antique and black powder firearms. When signed by the Governor this will immediately end the requirement for a NICS check on an antique/black powder or a replica of these guns when processed by a Federal Firearms Licensee since it is not required under US Code.
House Bill 1274 Insurance Mandated Gun Free Zone Notices
On 1 July 2026 it will be against Indiana Code for an insurance company to mandate a gun free zone notice be posted.
Senate Bill 176 Shooting Ranges
On 1 July 2026 this bill will go a long way to prevent local zoning boards and other municipal entities from putting onerous requirements on shooting ranges through the permitting process. This bill went down to the wire and cleared all the hurdles on the last day of the Legislative Session.
Fellow Hoosier gun owners and 2nd Amendment supporters: we can celebrate a successful year with three in the win column. Of course we can’t celebrate too long. Indiana primary election day is 5 May, the mid-term general election day is 3 November. Then it’ll be the 2027 session at the Indiana Statehouse.
A shout out and thanks to Senator Jim Tomes who authored SB 176. Representative Ben Smaltz was the House sponsor for SB 176 and was there for the fight. Representative Matt Commons authored HB 1274. I got to speak to Rep Commons for a while while we were waiting for HB 1274 to come up for a hearing in the Senate. He used to jump out of our (USAF) perfectly good aircraft when he was in the 82nd Airborne. Representative Garrett Bascom authored HB 1221 Antique Firearms, which became an amendment to HB 1052.
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