Copying a handgun permit redux

[cordex]

I know we've had other threads about this, but some of those threads had drifted a bit.

A common suggestion when someone gets a gun permit is to make one or more copies before laminating the permit. The idea is that if the original is damaged, a copy might be used. While for all practical purposes it would be very difficult bordering on impossible to tell if someone were using a copy rather than the original, I was curious as to what the real deal was.

I started out by sending an information request to the office of the Attorney General. The response I received was:

Originally Posted by Indiana AG's Office

Thank you for your email. The office of the Indiana General does not have jurisdiction over a gun permit, I think any legal action taken would be by your county prosecutor; please contact that office.

I issued my request to the Hendricks County prosecutor's office and received this:

Originally Posted by Hendricks County Prosecutor's Office

I am afraid that the immediate question would be what an individual officer would view as a valid permit. As to my office, we would consider a copy of a valid permit to be adequate. However, carrying a copy might not stop you from being initially charged or even arrested. I can not answer as to what other counties would do in that situation.

Patricia Ann Baldwin
Prosecuting Attorney
Hendricks County
55th Judicial Circuit
Danville, IN 46122

I also checked with the Indiana State Police directly

Originally Posted by Indiana State Police

The only valid permit is one issued by the department. Duplicates created by you are not legal although admittedly it would be hard to detect. The department is considering another license format; however nothing will last a lifetime in most cases.

Lt. Jerry A. Berkey
Indiana State Police
Records Division, Rm 302
100 N. Senate Avenue--IGCN
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-232-8263
MW2498

All emphasis mine.

I'm still waiting on the local Sheriff's department to get back to me.

As you can see, there is some variety with the responses. A police officer could theoretically arrest you for it, but your prosecuting attorney (or mine anyway) might not file charges. Even if they did, you could present your original (or "original", as the case may be) and have your record cleared. Of course, they'd have to have reason to believe the permit was a copy before it would be an issue at all.

Anyway, I just wanted to share these responses with INGO. Cheers.

[MrsGungho]

thanks for the work getting the many differing answers. Looks like it is just beware and don't give a reason to have to show your license to carry.

[SMiller]

I got a copy of mine the day I got it and got it laminated, I have never carried the original, been pulled over plenty and never a word about it being a copy.

[HICKMAN]

It would be interesting to see how they'd prove it was a copy

[Prometheus]

Originally Posted by IndyBassin

It would be interesting to see how they'd prove it was a copy

Provided your LTCH wasn't revoked or suspended I don't think they'll turn the micron-microscope on it, lol.

A copy on pink paper laminated would never be questioned IMO. Unless of course it was suspended obviously.

I wouldn't worry about it.

[cce1302]

Originally Posted by Prometheus

Provided your LTCH wasn't revoked or suspended I don't think they'll turn the micron-microscope on it, lol.

A copy on pink paper laminated would never be questioned IMO. Unless of course it was suspended obviously.

I wouldn't worry about it.

Sounds about right to me.

[Pami]

Thanks! Added it to the FAQ.

[agentl074]

The license number is on the document - therefore a copy is just as valid as the original - as your county prosecutor stated. Really there should'nt be a problem but I carry my original laminated.

[sharpetop]

I don't know what the answer is but, since ISP is the issuing authority, I would tend to go with what they say. Indiana does need to issue something a little more substantial than a piece of pink paper IMHO.

[Scutter01]

Originally Posted by sharpetop

Indiana does need to issue something a little more substantial than a piece of pink paper IMHO.

No, thanks. I like my pink paper just fine. It's easy and cheap to laminate and I don't have to pay $20 per copy.