Why a gun?
For me, and for most serious armed citizens, the gun is but one tool or option in the personal security spectrum. Other
devices I often carry in addition to a pistol include pepper spray, a flashlight and a folding knife. A cell phone is
also an invaluable item to have in an emergency. Each of these tools fills a specific niche that cannot be filled by any
of the others, and the best personal defense strategy involves having all of them (in addition to empty-hand defensive techniques)
to rely upon when a situation arises, as well as the proper mindset and skills to avoid a situation in the first place.
Carry all the time?
I take my share of ribbing for strapping on a gun to go down to the corner grocery store or perform other menial tasks.
Two quotes come to mind in this case: one to effect that "if the time comes when you need a gun, at that moment you
will never have needed anything so badly in your life." The other is "it's better to have a gun and not need it
than to need a gun and not have it." I realize that my odds of ever having to use a gun in self-defense are very slim,
but I always tell folks that if I knew I would need my gun, I wouldn't go in the first place! One could apply the same
logic to seatbelts - I know I will probably not have an accident, but I always buckle up. The point to all this
is that you never know when the need will arise, so it's best to always be prepared.
The Bottom Line
Choosing to carry a concealed weapon is a profound, personal, life-changing decision that is not to be undertaken lightly.
It requires changes in attitude, social behavior and other aspects of one's lifestyle, and it's certainly not for
everyone. But with the right mindset, equipment and training, it is a decision that could well save your life someday.
Indiana is a "shall issue" state, meaning that a carry license must by law be issued to any resident who applies and passes a background check. Indiana requires that an applicant be at least 18 years old, not been convicted of or have unresolved indictments for a felony, not be an alcohol or drug abuser, and not be prone to violence or emotionally unstable conduct. The Hoosier State's carry law has been on the books since 1935, and the most recent statistics indicate that approximately 8.5% of state residents possess a license to carry.
In 2006, Indiana established the first lifetime carry license in the nation. Cost is $100 if renewing a previous license, or $125 for new applications. The previous 4-year license has been retained, but the cost has increased from $25 to $40. Indiana's carry law does not specify "open" or concealed carry (both are legal), and unlike states which have passed carry laws more recently, no training course is required.
Under state law (IC 35-41-3-2), deadly force is justified if a person "reasonably believes that that force is necessary to prevent serious bodily injury to himself or a third person or the commission of a forcible felony." Further, "a person is justified in using reasonable force, including deadly force, (emphasis mine) if he reasonably believes that the force is necessary to prevent or terminate the other person's unlawful entry of or attack on his dwelling or curtilage." This section also provides some protection from legal recrimination for those who have justifiably used lethal force in self-defense: "No person in this state shall be placed in legal jeopardy of any kind whatsoever for protecting himself or his family by reasonable means necessary."
The complete text of the sections cited above, as well as most of the other Indiana Codes, can be found at The Indiana Code Home Page. I encourage anyone who carries a weapon for personal protection to go there and do some research. Part of being a responsible armed citizen is knowing the bounds, consequences and penalties of the law.
Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer, and the preceding information is not intended to serve as legal advice. I encourage anyone who carries a firearm for self-defense to take a training class from a qualified defensive firearms instructor, and to consult an attorney in his/her state regarding the use-of-force laws and appropriate actions to take following a self-defense shooting. The time to find a lawyer is NOT after you've been arrested!