INDIANAPOLIS (AP): Indiana State Police are switching to an online gun permitting system that will bring end to the era of paper applications for those permits.

The new system that begins Oct. 1 will also signal a change to hard plastic permits for firearms, rather than the paper permits that are currently issued to gun owners.

Assistant Chief of Staff Major Mike White says the new electronic application system is designed “to streamline the application process for both the applicant and law enforcement officials.'' 

Firearms permits already issued and people holding firearms permits won't be affected. They will switch to the electronic version when their permit expires, if they don't hold a lifetime permit.