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Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

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HB1299 • 2026

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning criminal law and procedure.

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning criminal law and procedure.

Crime Firearms
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Representative Vernon Smith
Last action
2026-01-12
Official status
Introduced House Bill (H)
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on how police officers enforce or handle confiscated firearms and permits.

Firearm Surrender for Domestic Violence Offenders

This bill requires people convicted of domestic violence crimes to give up their firearms and any permits they have to carry guns, making it illegal for them to possess a firearm.

What This Bill Does

  • Makes it against the law for someone who has been found guilty of a domestic violence crime to own or keep a gun.
  • Orders courts to tell people convicted of domestic battery or other domestic violence crimes that they must give up their guns and any permits they have to carry them within 72 hours.
  • Says that if someone does not turn in their firearms or permits when told, they can be punished with jail time.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who are found guilty of domestic violence crimes
  • Courts that deal with these cases

Terms To Know

Class A misdemeanor
A type of crime that is less serious than a felony but more serious than other types of misdemeanors.
Level 6 felony
The least severe level of felony in Indiana, which is still considered a very serious crime.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not specify what happens if someone's right to have a gun is restored after being convicted.
  • It does not say how long the ban on owning or possessing firearms lasts for those who are found guilty of domestic violence crimes.
  • The bill has passed both chambers but it is unclear when it will become law.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-12 House

    Representative Hamilton added as coauthor

  2. 2026-01-06 House

    Authored by Representative Smith V

  3. 2026-01-06 House

    First reading: referred to Committee on Courts and Criminal Code

Official Summary Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning criminal law and procedure.
Surrender of firearms for domestic violence crimes.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning criminal law and procedure.

Surrender of firearms for domestic violence crimes.

Provides that a person who: (1) has been convicted of a crime of domestic violence; and (2) knowingly or intentionally possesses a firearm; commits a Class A misdemeanor. Specifies defenses. Requires a court to issue an order, upon entry of a judgment of conviction for domestic battery or a crime of domestic violence, that: (1) prohibits ownership or possession of a firearm; (2) requires the defendant to surrender: (A) any firearm owned or possessed by the defendant; and (B) any license or permit to carry a handgun (license) owned or possessed by the defendant; and (3) requires confiscation, within 72 hours, of any firearm or license owned or possessed by the defendant. Provides that a domestic batterer who knowingly or intentionally fails to surrender a certain firearm or license commits a Class A misdemeanor, enhanced to a Level 6 felony in specific instances. Provides defenses. Specifies how a confiscated firearm or license shall be returned or disposed of if a person's right to possess a firearm is restored.