Indiana: Legislative Session Begins with Numerous Pro-Gun Bills Filed

With the 2017 Indiana legislative session underway, we are happy to report that a number of pro-gun bills have been filed.

Senate Bill 13, introduced by state Senator James Tomes (R-49) and state Senator Ron Alting (R-22), would allow handguns to be used as security for loans.  This would ensure that handguns are treated like any other property to allow law-abiding citizens more options in securing loans.

Senate Bill 14, introduced by state Senator James Tomes and state Senator Mark Messmer (R-48), would allow professional staff of the Indiana General Assembly, who are licensed to carry a handgun, to do so at the capitol complex.

House Bill 1071, introduced by state Representative Sean Eberhart (R-57), would allow the petitioner of a civil protective order to temporarily carry a handgun without a permit.  This would ensure that victims of domestic violence are not left defenseless at their most vulnerable time while waiting for their carry permit to be approved.

House Bill 1095, introduced by state Representative Woody Burton (R-58), would reform the definition of “armor piercing ammunition” to mirror the federal law.  By doing so, it would update the current Indiana law which erroneously prohibits plastic coated ammunition.  Coating a bullet in plastic does not make it armor piercing, but it does reduce fouling and wear on a firearm and reduces lead fumes without the higher cost of copper plated bullets.  This would simply allow target shooters in Indiana to take advantage of the same advances in polymer technology that many others around the country enjoy when shooting recreationally.

House Bill 1159, introduced by state Representative Jim Lucas (R-69), would eliminate the requirement to obtain a permit in order to lawfully carry.  This bill recognizes a law-abiding adult’s unconditional Right to Keep and Bear Arms for self-defense in the manner he or she chooses.  This bill will make the current permitting system optional to allow citizens to obtain permits to take advantage of reciprocity agreements with other states.

House Bill 1161, introduced by state Representative Jim Lucas, would create a state income tax credit for expenses incurred when receiving firearms instruction or for purchasing firearm storage devices.  This would reduce the financial burden for low income citizens who wish to responsibly exercise their Second Amendment rights.

House Bill 1258, introduced by state Representative Jim Lucas, would allow those who can legally carry their firearms in Indiana to carry on a college campus.  There is no reason that an arbitrary border should prevent a law-abiding person from being able to defend themselves once they cross that border.  So called “gun free zones” do little to protect people as criminals and those with bad intent simply ignore them, knowing that they will not encounter opposition from armed citizens.

Your NRA will continue to monitor these bills and will keep you informed as they move through the legislature.