The Indiana House voted against the need for a license to carry a handgun in the state.
- The Indiana House voted to end the license requirement to carry a handgun in the state.
- If approved by the Senate, the bill will eliminate the need for a license in March next year.
- Police officers are against the legislation, claiming that it would make citizens and cops feel less safe.
On Monday, February 22, the Indiana House voted to eliminate the license requirement for handguns throughout the state’s territory. As the Daily Wire reports, the bill is about to go to the Senate, where it has already received support.
Advocates of the Indiana House Bill 1369 claim that citizens should not have to pay for a right guaranteed to them by the Constitution. Besides, the bill, which is sometimes called “constitutional carry,” would still ban certain offenders from having the right to carry handguns.
On the contrary, those who disapprove of the new legislation insist that it would make both citizens and police officers feel less safe.
The bill would cancel the license in March 2022.
According to the IndyStar, the required licenses raise $5.3 million every year. The money goes for training law enforcement officers. However, after the new law becomes official, this responsibility would be partially in the hands of taxpayers.
Police officers, including Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter and the Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police, are against the eliminating of the licenses.
Lafayette Police Chief Patrick Flannelly stated:
“I think we are all very strong supporters of the second amendment … By repealing processes like this that are good screening mechanisms, we are going to put more guns out on the street, and there are going to be people that should not be carrying them will be carrying them.”
Rep. Mitch Gore, a captain with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, added:
“This will cause less peace. Our people will be less safe.”
“This bill is for the lawful citizen in the state of Indiana.”
The author of the controversial legislation, Republican Representative Ben Smaltz, defended the bill’s purpose, saying:
“This bill is for the lawful citizen in the state of Indiana. This bill is for the person who obeys our laws who right now has to jump over the hurdles to be the person that gets the permit.”
Currently, as FOX News reports, the process of applying for a handgun license requires the person to be 18 or older, register online, schedule an appointment to have fingerprints taken, and complete local law enforcement agency processing within 180 days.
Eric Housman, an Indianapolis gun owner and supporter of the measure, told FOX 59:
“Anything that can make things easier for somebody who is a law-abiding citizen is always something that I think I’m going to try to support.”
