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Indiana criminal charge

Unlawful possession of firearm by serious violent felon in Indiana

Current through 2026 Indiana legislative session

Unlawful possession of firearm by serious violent felon is a criminal offense under Indiana law, defined by Ind. Code § 35-47-4-5. Its classification is not fixed: Indiana assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.

Defined by Ind. Code § 35-47-4-5.

What is the penalty for unlawful possession of firearm by serious violent felon in Indiana?

Penalties for Unlawful possession of firearm by serious violent felon
PenaltyRangeBasisAuthority
Jail / prison2 years to 12 years (Unlawful possession of firearm by serious violent felon — A serious violent felon who knowingly or intentionally possesses a firearm commits this offense as a Level 4 felony.; fixed term; advisory sentence 6 years)presumptiveInd. Code § 35-50-2-5.5
Fineup to $10,000 (Unlawful possession of firearm by serious violent felon — A serious violent felon who knowingly or intentionally possesses a firearm commits this offense as a Level 4 felony.)discretionaryInd. Code § 35-50-2-5.5

Applies to offenses committed after June 30, 2014 (P.L.158-2013).

How is unlawful possession of firearm by serious violent felon classified in Indiana?

The classification depends on the circumstances:

Classification variants for Unlawful possession of firearm by serious violent felon
VariantClassificationWhen it appliesStatute
Unlawful possession of firearm by serious violent felonLevel 4 FelonyA serious violent felon who knowingly or intentionally possesses a firearm commits this offense as a Level 4 felony.Ind. Code § 35-47-4-5(c)

Common questions about unlawful possession of firearm by serious violent felon in Indiana

Is unlawful possession of firearm by serious violent felon a felony or a misdemeanor in Indiana?

Unlawful possession of firearm by serious violent felon is a Level 4 Felony in Indiana under Ind. Code § 35-47-4-5.

Unlawful possession of firearm by serious violent felon: Level 4 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-47-4-5(c))

What are the penalties for unlawful possession of firearm by serious violent felon in Indiana?

Penalties for unlawful possession of firearm by serious violent felon in Indiana depend on how it is classified — from a Level 4 Felony up to a Level 4 Felony — with the ranges set by Ind. Code § 35-50-2-5.5; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.

Which Indiana statute covers unlawful possession of firearm by serious violent felon?

Unlawful possession of firearm by serious violent felon is governed by Ind. Code § 35-47-4-5 (Unlawful possession of firearm by serious violent felon).

Legal terms used in this law

This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.