Last Monday, the Indiana House of Representatives voted to remove the need for permits to carry handguns in the state. The bill passed the House by a 65-31 vote and will now head to the Senate for voting.
RELATED: Why You Should Have A Concealed Carry Permit
Constitutional Carry
House Bill 1369 is known as s constitutional carry. Also, it goes by other names such as permitless carry, unrestricted carry, or Vermont carry. The law refers to the legal and open or concealed carrying of a handgun without the need for a license or permit. “This bill is for the lawful citizen in the state of Indiana,” according to the bill’s author, Republican Representative Ben Smaltz. “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,” he added.
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Many local Hoosier gun owners supported the bill. “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,” said Indianapolis gun owner Eric Housman.
Current Handgun Laws
The current Indiana law requires handgun owners to follow certain requirements. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and should register online. In addition, the law requires the submission of fingerprint scans. Typical local law enforcement agency processing will take around 180 days to complete. Out of the approximately 120,000 handgun license applicants in 2020, with a 96% approval rate. Currently, Indiana has over a million active licenses.
Supporters of HB 1369 say that citizens don’t need to pay for the right to exercise their Second Amendment rights. Also, the bill prohibits certain individuals from knowingly carrying a handgun. Otherwise, they face a Class A misdemeanor. In addition, the bill creates the crime of unlawful carrying a handgun. HB 1369 will also require state police and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to develop a process to help identify those not qualified from permits to carry handguns.
Opposition to Handgun Laws
Meanwhile, people against HB 1369 say that it makes citizens and police officers less safe. In addition, there’s the matter of funding. Current licenses will expire by March 2022. In addition, funding for the training of law enforcement officers usually comes from the proceeds of these licenses, which generates around $5.3 million a year. Consequently, all Indiana taxpayers, and not just the gun owners, will now pay for the same training. Meanwhile, Democrat Representative Mitch Gore, a captain with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, said he finds the measure concerning. “This will cause less peace … Our people will be less safe,” said Gore.
Police Officers Chime In
Some Indiana police officers also voiced their concern over the bill, including Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter. He said the burden of identifying lawful carriers would shift from gun owners to police officers. Also, Lafayette Police Chief Patrick Flannelly and the Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police objected to the measure. “I think we are all very strong supporters of the second amendment,” Flannelly said. “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,” he added. In addition, Flannelly said that Lafayette rejected 55 people from securing carry permits last year after a background check.
Watch the Fox 55 Fort Wayne News reporting that Indiana House Bill 1369 can make it easier for Hoosiers to carry a handgun:
Loading ...Does Your State Allow Constitutional Carry?
With regard to the Second Amendment, do you agree that permits to carry handguns are redundant? Does your state allow constitutional carry? Let us know what you think and share your thoughts about the right to bear arms. Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
NJ does not allow you to carry a gun outside of your home, unless it is during transport in locked case. Crazy.
I just purchased my first gun at the age of 69 and am thrilled. NJ is Leftist nuts, and my life has been threatened because I have “I Support our Blue” stickers on my windows. I refuse to remove them.
I am a peaceful person, but I refuse to be shut up by Marxist thugs, and that includes our governor and most politicians in NJ.
I believe in constitutional carry and the right to defend My rights to protect My family and the 2nd amendment
This should be every state! Our Constutution, and 2nd A give us all the permission we need to carry. Any state rewuiring a permit is violating the righrlts of the citizenry!
I am a strong supporter of the 2nd amendment. I live in Alaska where you can get a Concealed Carry permit but it is not necessary as you can concealed or open carry here. That is the way it should be across the USA. The state issues CC permits so you can carry in other states that recognizes others states CC permits. The 2nd Amendment is very clear that the people’s right shall not be infringed. There have been many studies done that areas where personal carry is not prohibited it helps reduce crime.
”The 2nd Amendment is very clear that the people’s right shall not be infringed. There have been many studies done that areas where personal carry is not prohibited it helps reduce crime.”
well said Charles”
I wish it were the same in socialist California. Must have CCW, no open carry w/o CCW is right now is difficult to get!
The constitution allows to carry a gun. In Texas you must have a permit which is redundant to the second amendment. Crooks will always obtain a gun while citizens are without. All citizens in the USA should be allowed to carryshould
My concern with Constitutional Carry is that a person may pass the NICS background check, lawfully purchase a handgun then lawfully carry it in public without any gun handling/gun safety knowledge or knowledge of their local and state laws. As a result, they then are more likely to become a hazard to their fellow citizens, as well as to themselves in the areas of self-injury and possible criminal/civil actions that could have been prevented by requiring training, both classroom and demonstration of proficiency prior to receiving a concealed carry permit. .
Right on, why are only crooks allow to carry. NJ
Neil,
What stops someone from getting a license and then becoming a hazard to their fellow citizens by driving too fast, while drunk, or distracted by something while driving and causing harm? More people die from cars than from guns. Just as with everything else, it is the responsibility of the owner to get the proper training and knowledge. If they are not properly trained, they are most likely to harm themselves. Not others.
I agree with that. When my son decided to carry I personly past down the training I recieved..
Gun Logic
1 – Eleven teens die each day because of texting while driving. Maybe it’s time to raise the age of Smart Phone ownership to 21.
2 – If gun control laws actually worked, Chicago would be Mayberry, USA.
3 – The Second Amendment makes more women equal than the entire feminist movement.
4 – Legal gun owners have 300 million guns and probably a trillion rounds of ammo. Seriously, folks, if we were the problem, you’d know it.
5 – When JFK was killed, nobody blamed the rifle.
6 – The NRA (National Rifle Association) murders 0 people and receives ($$$$ 0) nothing in government funds. Planned Parenthood kills 350,000 babies every year and receives $500,000,000 in tax dollars annually.
7 – I have no problem with vigorous background checks when it comes to firearms. While we’re at it, let’s do the same when it comes to immigration, Voter I.D., and candidates running for office.
8 – Folks keep talking about another Civil War. One side knows how to shoot and probably has a trillion rounds. The other side has crying closets and is confused about which bathroom to use. Now tell me, how do you think that would end?
Don’t be afraid to share this. There’s more logic and common sense expressed here than probably anything you have seen on the news today.
Neil, your concern is noted, but I ask you this, where is the evidence that the lack of firearms training has caused injury or loss of innocent life when used in personal protection or the protection of the innocent? I grant you that children have been injured and killed as a result of “playing” with loaded guns, but this is negligence on the part of the adults in charge, not lack of firearms training in the use of the firearm by it’s owner. Safety first is the calling card for gun owners across the country…even on TV. It is MY opinion that people who would seek out and purchase a weapon for the first time WILL learn how to use it safely because they have a vested interest in doing so. Anti-gunners don’t buy guns. They aren’t wired for it either.
This is what Hitler did take guns from everyone then persecuted everyone. They had no defense had no guns to fight back. Not going to happen to me. What are they going to do put everyone in jail and leave all the crooks with guns. This is bullshit
If parents were allowed to teach their kids like I was taught by my parents and the way I taught my kids and the way that I taught my grandkids we would have no problems I have a loaded gun by every door in my house and I have them in my bedroom and I will use them when need be and my four year old grandson knows not to play with them
Gary….. you hit the nail on the head; also refutted the ENTIRE lefty, snowflakes arguments that p. Iss me off.
This “how I feel” junk is destroying our CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC.
I am asking for your approval to send this EXCELLENT answer to a few of my lefty friends….. maybe, just maybe it will open a LOGICAL debate and not the normal shut-down I recieve.
Stay Safe, all PATRIOTS and watch your sixes!!
Joe, Proud USAF vet.
No, I can carry in my state without having a permit and I do. Don’t leave home with out one of my guns.
First of All Do NOT try to remove the RIGHTS of the American People. If an individual wants to carry a weapon and qualified thru the process. DO NOT remove it.
“President Biden just opened the borders of America like NO OTHER TIME in the HISTORY of America.
American citizens have a Second Amendment Right to bare arms and protect their families against Terriorests, criminals, cartel, Antifa rioters.
“I truly believe that The Fedrral Government should be held completely accountable for families that loose loved ones due to The Unresponsible Federal Government.”
I think every citizen in the country should have the right to bare arms it’s their constitutional right no if ands or buts in illinois you can’t without a permit I think that is a pure violation on your constitutional right as long as you are responsible why shouldn’t you be able to carry our lives family’s lives kids lives can depend on your right to bear arms and good point Debra the government should be accountable for the deaths of a loved one by not letting us have our constitutional right of being able to carry
Oklahoma allows constitutional carry. It is a right that should be enforced
I live in Vermont which is a constitutional carry state. Most of my family lives in Pennsylvania, which is not a constitutional carry state and refuses to issue me a non-resident concealed carry permit because I don’t have a a permit issued by my state of residence (because they don’t issue one). I think it’s BS that Pennsylvania gets to violate my constitutional rights every time I visit my family.
BAWK, BAWK, BARK who said the sky was falling! I’ll bet those 65 don’t get reelected unless the people of Indiana have gone bonkers. I once lived there decades ago.
Unbelievable how the Democrats use the Constitution of the United States to advantage their programs and Ideas, BUT then decline to honor and abide by the same Constitution 1st and 2nd amendments when they want to control our rights to have guns and our freedom of speech against or about their leftist socialism ideas and programs.
i know it is right to carry a gun and will not let the dems take it away just because they dont know what they are doing to this country iodits
Illinois has strict gun laws AND more illegal guns by owners and users
Those who want to take our guns away also want to take us captive and not armed as the Marxist in the Biden administratiOn. DO NOT
TRUST THEM!!!!
I am a war veteran, have many guns in CA, when the second amendment was written 240 years, it allowed private small army’s to have guns in case the government when off the deep end. Then they had black powered guns, one shot and 20 seconds to reload. Hard to shoot 20 people like that, don’t you think. They would never allow semi auto guns of today in every home. The Second Amendment needs to be redone for today. AR-15s and that crap needs to go, if you want one join the military. I don’t know anyone who hunts with an M16, we all have bolt action rifles, once again no need for an AR15. Them weapons of war they buy is a big Ego Trip, grown men acting like children.
20 rounds in 2 seconds, that’s not hunting, that’s murder. Better to run over the deer with you SUV at least he has a chance. The NRA is bankrupt, they spend all our dues, I am done with them too. The weapons of war have to go.
The whole reason there is a Permit needed in the First place, was just so the Gov’t had yet ANOTHER way to screw us and collect money from us. Having to HAVE a CCL is totally Ludicrous and Unconstitutional!
Here in Hawaii we have a May Issue law at the discretion of the chief of police. So far there have been 0 that’s ZERO permits to carry granted to anybody here!
Gov. Abbott of Texas, where are you?! All of these other states that are passing constitutional carry and you’re sitting on our thumb’s wondering what to do!! The majority of Texas want constitutional carry!!!!
The Second Amendment doesn’t give you the right to keep and bear arms, it protects your God given right to keep and bear arms. The right is a right under natural law, it was a right that the American people NEVER gave up to government. The government has no right to regulate ANY of the rights in the Bill of Rights, these rights belong to the people and always have. Corrupt government has usurped these rights.
Larry you are all wrong about what would be allowed or the intention in developing the 2nd Amendment. The intent was to ensure each individual had the ability to defend themselves and their nation, even against their government when necessary. They used the term arms rather than spell out specific types to ensure that an individual’s ability was not restricted. There were weapons at that time that fired more than one projectile, therefore multiple shots have always been in play. Another intent was to ensure that the individual had the ability to match the threat. The shall not be infringed wording clearly leaves the door open for any type, firing rate, or style that an individual might be confronted with, including all attachments and devices affiliated with such arms. Any limitation is an infringement which was clearly stated as a WRONG.
To Larry, the shadow. Yes, our founding fathers, in the 2nd Amendment, wrote that the citizenry, through a militia OR standing alone, should be ready to fight a “government [that] went off the deep end”. That was musket & canon against musket & canon. Are you saying your “bolt action”, 5 round magazine, hunting rifle is an equal match to what a tyranical government’s military will bring when they come to take away your rights? I know, you say “That will never happen”, stop, look around you, it’s happening right now. And an AR-15 isn’t even a viable match. Maybe a lot of AR-10\.308’s AND 7.62-AK-47’s MIGHT have a chance; but, they have motars, grenade lawnchers, tanks, aircraft … etc. “Come-on man” let me have my LITTLE AR-15. (They are fun to shoot at the range) You lose your 2nd A-right, kiss all the rest goodbye.
One more consideration: all of our “rights” were based-on or weighed against ONE right. I/You have the right to do what ever I/you want, as long as I/you don’t infringe on anyone else’s right. The question is: Where do my/your rights end and the other persons’ rights begin? On topic: if I CC a firearm on my person, how is that infringing on anyone elses right to do what ever they want? K.I.S.S.
45 Cal. I live in Ca., I am a Vetnam vet, I have a CCW permit for Ca., and I carry every day. I will not surrender my gun’s to anyone. I feel that any American citizen, that has not violated our constitution has the right to their Second Amendment Right’s. The Right to own and bear arm’s, is the right of every legal American citizen. As an American citizen, I will fight to uphold my right to protect my family against all that try to deprive me of my “Second Amendment Right’s.
Constitutional and open carry actually gives you more rights than a concealed carry permit. Being from Arkansas, there are rules and regulations with a permit that a person must abide by. Constitutional carry doesn’t nail you down with certain requirements. I personally do like the appropriate training & skills needed for CC permits.
I live in MA. And they require a concealed carry license to buy ammo or firearms. Very strict if caught with either of them without a license. Mandatory year and fine. That’s why criminals have more guns than legal owners. They just don’t get it here.
You can carry a concealed weapon in Maine without getting a permit. No PERMIT required.
Every single person that comes here and tries to dictate what the founding fathers would have “allowed “ needs to pull their heads out of their ass and either actually read the constitution and the federalist papers or they need to shut the hell up. The constitution does not “give” us rights, it codifies them. That includes the 2nd amendment, which means I can own any type of gun I so choose, got it? I’m an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran, and I’ll be damned if someone is going to try to dictate to me what my rights are. Actually read the constitution and the federalist papers or SHUT THE HELL UP! You do not, EVER, get to tell me what my rights are or what the founding fathers “meant” when they wrote the constitution. Pull your head out of your fifth point of contact and WAKE UP!!!
The very idea of an American citizen having need to obtain Government is damnable and violates the 2A of the Bill of Rights. This current and some of my generation are gutless cowardly and pathetic. They were dipped in sissy juice. They actually believe that the police will save them. Not likely.
If we lived in an environment of open right to carry, crime and the criminal element that is now prevalent in almost every state of the country, would become a thing of the past. The police that people are crying out to defund would no longer be needed. Crime & the criminal element as we know it would disappear, for it cannot exist in an environment where essentially every citizen would be a police officer. Hence Utopia! Or at least the closest thing to it. Essentially at this point of mankind’s existence guns or weapons of any kind would no longer be relevant and of course at this point we are well into our future! Amen, Heaven on Earth or very close to it! What a beautiful picture, if only it was in mans nature, but alas he is not that kind of animal, unfortunately this too would end up being a version of Orwell’s “1984.” God, is the only answer, just as it is written the Bible!
Does no one remember “The Shot Heard Around The world?” That battle occurred because the British were coming to seize guns, ammo and powder. What makes the government think it wouldn’t happen again?
Coastee, I agree with your statement sir “You lose your 2nd A right, you can kiss the rest goodbye.” Living in MO is pretty good. Yet we do have a C&C that I never agreed with. An individual (as stated my many already) has the right to bear any and all arms that the individual deems appropriate/necessary. This government we have has become ludicrously scary. Biden has already signed more than 50 executive orders in just 4 weeks of being in office. One man, telling everyone that all will be his way only. Damn, sure sounds like dictatorship. I will get off my pedestal now, but thanks for letting me share.
Bad citizens will always break the law, regardless of the law. We do not need any Police opinions regarding the rights of “We the People”. The Police are not aleays correct and lie and steal along with prosecuters that use the law for political purposes and Lie and get away with it.
If you can afford a gun, you should have a gun. The only registry we need are for Felons and the Mentally ill. Many Cops are mentally ill and just want to shoot a big ugly black guy. We have seen it over and over and over for centry’s.
Before the gun restrictions, America ran just fine.