Indiana NRA Members: Three New Gun Laws Go Into Effect TODAY!!

Following on the heels of the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in McDonald v. Chicago and just before our nation celebrates Independence Day, Indiana gun owners have another reason to celebrate freedom: three new gun laws go into effect on Thursday, July 1, 2010.

House Bill 1068, Indiana’s Gun Permit Privacy Act, prohibits media outlets and members of the public from gaining access to Indiana’s statewide database of gun permit holders. The Gun Permit Privacy Act was authored by State Representative Peggy Welch (D-60) and sponsored in the Senate by State Senator Greg Walker (R-41), after the Bloomington Herald-Times and the Indianapolis Star published aspects of permit holder information.

House Bill 1065, Indiana’s Emergency Powers/Workplace Protection law, protects two fundamental rights: the ability to own and lawfully use firearms for defense in a declared state of emergency, as well as the right to lock a lawfully owned firearm in a personal vehicle while at work without the fear of termination. Indiana’s Emergency Powers/Workplace Protection law was authored by State Representative Bob Bischoff (D-68).

The Emergency Powers portion of the law prevents state and local municipalities from outlawing the possession, purchase and ownership of firearms or ammunition during declared states of emergency. After years of hard work to further Emergency Powers legislation by State Senator and NRA Board Member Johnny Nugent (R-43) and State Representative Eric Koch (R-65), gun owners can rest knowing that in the event of a declared state of emergency, their Right to Keep and Bear Arms is protected.

The Workplace Protection portion of the law prevents employers for firing law-abiding employees merely because the employee locks a lawfully owned firearm in their personal vehicle while at work. After years of work by State Senator Johnny Nugent, Indiana becomes the 13^th member of a growing group of Workplace Protection states.

NRA Members in Indiana have much to celebrate this Independence Day! Please don’t forget to thank the authors and co-sponsors of these important new laws.