Effective March 25, 2013 the Indiana State Police have changed the application process for handgun licenses in the State of Indiana. Effective on that date, the state police will accept only online handgun license applications and will no longer accept the paper applications previously filed by local police agencies. In order to begin the online application process, Indiana residents must go to the Indiana State Police web site at http://www.in.gov/isp, click on the Firearms Licensing button, click on the Forms button and click on the application hyperlink and then fill out and submit the online application.
The process of fingerprinting applicants has changed as well so the next step in the application process is for the applicant to get his/her fingerprints taken at an INkless Fingerprinting location. The applicant must schedule an appointment to have their fingerprints taken with INkless Fingerprinting by clicking the appropriate button on the Indiana State Police web site. When the applicant gets his/her fingerprints taken at Inkless Fingerprinting, he/she must pay the appropriate state application fee plus $9.95 for fingerprinting by debit or credit card only. Currently, INkless Fingerprinting, also known as L-1 and Morpho Trust USA, does fingerprints at the Holiday Inn Express 100 East Shore Ct. on Thursdays from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. There are numerous other INkless Fingerprinting locations throughout Indiana if an alternative location works better for the applicant.
The last step in the application process is for the applicant to report to the law enforcement agency having primary jurisdiction over his/residence to pay the local application fee and have the police agency complete the local background check and application process. Persons living in the City of La Porte must come to the La Porte Police Department whereas persons living in unincorporated La Porte County must go to the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office to have their applications completed. The La Porte Police Department processes Handgun License applications on Thursdays between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM only.
We do realize that these changes do make it somewhat difficult for persons who do not have or use computers or the Internet to transact business. Unfortunately, the La Porte Police Department does not have any computers available for public use nor are our employees able to fill applications online for applicants. We recommend that persons that are facing this obstacle seek the assistance of a relative or friend that does have a computer available. The La Porte County Public Library does have computers that are available for public use.
The La Porte Police Department will have information sheets available for people as well as a folder with screenshots where we can show the applicants the various steps of the application process. Information regarding the Handgun License application process is available on the La Porte Police Department web site at http://www.lpcitypd.com/ as well. As always, our personnel will be available to answer questions and help in any way that we can.