Omar Bennett
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb signed HEA 1296, also known as constitutional carry or permitless carry, into law on Monday, March 21, 2022, despite intense opposition at the Statehouse and from the state police head. The bill eliminates the requirement for Indiana residents to have a permit or license to carry a handgun in public, making Indiana the third state to pass such legislation in 2022 and the 24th overall. Holcomb's statement after signing the bill emphasized the importance of responsible handgun use and noted that individuals prohibited from possessing firearms under federal or state laws would still be bound by those restrictions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the bill signed | HEA 1296 |
| Name of the person who signed the bill | Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb |
| Date of signing the bill | 21 March 2022 |
| What the bill entails | Eliminates the license requirement to carry a handgun in Indiana |
| Opposition to the bill | State police head, Democrats, and some Republicans |
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What You'll Learn
Indiana Gov. Holcomb signs HEA 1296
On Monday, March 21, 2022, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb signed HEA 1296, Indiana's "Constitutional Carry" bill, into law. This bill eliminates the requirement to have a permit or license to carry a handgun in public within the state of Indiana.
HEA 1296 faced intense opposition at the Statehouse, including from state police and major law enforcement groups. They argued that eliminating the permit system would endanger officers by removing their ability to quickly identify dangerous people who should not have access to guns. In response, Governor Holcomb stated:
> "I, like Governor Holcomb, feel enormous responsibility for front-line law enforcement officers. I will work with law enforcement leaders across our state to make necessary changes to firearms enforcement as well as identifying the best way to identify individuals who are not allowed to carry a firearm as defined by Indiana statute. We will continue to encourage citizens to apply for, and maintain, a firearms permit."
Despite the opposition, supporters of the bill argued that Hoosiers should not need permission to exercise their constitutional right to carry a handgun in public. Dudley Brown, President of the National Association for Gun Rights, celebrated the bill's passing:
> "This is a massive victory. Indiana now becomes the 24th state to recognize Constitutional Carry as the law – rendering their concealed carry permit optional and restoring firearms freedom."
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Holcomb supports Second Amendment rights
Gov. Eric Holcomb of Indiana signed HEA 1296, a bill repealing the requirement to have a permit to carry a handgun in public in the state. The bill, known as "constitutional carry" or "permitless carry," allows anyone aged 18 or older to carry a handgun in public, except for those with felony convictions or dangerous mental illnesses.
Holcomb's decision to sign the bill into law demonstrates his support for Second Amendment rights. In a statement, Holcomb said, "The Second Amendment has been debated for years, yet time and again our U.S. Supreme Court has reaffirmed this important constitutional right that I fully support." He also emphasized that the new law "entrusts Hoosiers who can lawfully carry a handgun to responsibly do so within our state."
The governor's support for the Second Amendment was further highlighted by his backing of Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter, who criticized Republican lawmakers for pushing the "constitutional carry" legislation. Holcomb stated that he stood behind Carter's rebuke of the lawmakers, saying, "I stand behind Superintendent (Douglas) Carter 110%. ... He chose those words. I stand behind him."
Despite facing intense opposition from law enforcement groups and some lawmakers, Holcomb's decision to sign the "constitutional carry" bill into law reinforces his stance on supporting the Second Amendment. The bill's signing aligns with his statement on entrusting lawful Hoosiers to responsibly carry handguns, a right affirmed by the Second Amendment.
However, it is important to note that Holcomb's support for Second Amendment rights does not diminish his commitment to law enforcement officers. Carter, the Indiana State Police Superintendent, pledged his continued collaboration with Holcomb to ensure the safety of front-line officers and the effective enforcement of firearms laws. Holcomb's administration will continue working with law enforcement leaders to implement necessary changes and identify individuals prohibited from carrying firearms under federal and state laws.
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Holcomb faces criticism from law enforcement
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb signed a bill into law that eliminates the requirement to have a permit to carry handguns in public in Indiana. The bill, known as HEA 1296 or the "Constitutional Carry" bill, faced intense opposition from law enforcement groups and some lawmakers due to safety concerns.
The bill was criticized by major law enforcement groups, including the Indiana State Police, the Fort Wayne Police Department, the Evansville Police Department, the Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Indiana State Fraternal Order of Police. They argued that eliminating the permit system would endanger officers by stripping them of a tool for quickly identifying individuals who should not have access to guns.
Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter, a critic of the bill, said, "If you support this bill, you will not be supporting us," referring to the law enforcement community. He pledged to work with law enforcement leaders to make necessary changes to firearms enforcement and identify individuals who are not allowed to carry firearms under Indiana law.
In response to the criticism, Governor Holcomb stated that HEA 1296 "entrusts Hoosiers who can lawfully carry a handgun to responsibly do so within our state." He emphasized that individuals prohibited from possessing firearms under federal or state laws would still be restricted from doing so, and violations could result in prosecution.
Despite the concerns raised by law enforcement, the bill passed with a comfortable majority in both chambers of the Indiana legislature. With Governor Holcomb's signature, Indiana became the third state to pass Constitutional Carry legislation in 2022.
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Indiana becomes 24th state to pass such legislation
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb signed HEA 1296, Indiana's Constitutional Carry bill, making Indiana the 24th state to pass such legislation. The bill eliminates the requirement of a license to carry a handgun in public in Indiana. Holcomb signed the bill just before the Tuesday deadline to act on the legislation, which faced intense opposition at the Statehouse.
The bill, also known as "permitless carry", allows anyone aged 18 or older to carry a handgun in public, except for reasons such as having a felony conviction or a dangerous mental illness. In a statement, Holcomb said, "HEA 1296, which I've signed today, entrusts Hoosiers who can lawfully carry a handgun to responsibly do so within our state".
The signing of the bill was criticised by major law enforcement groups, who argued that eliminating the permit system would endanger officers by removing a tool for quickly identifying individuals who should not have access to guns. Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter, who rebuked the bill, said he would continue to encourage Hoosiers to apply for handgun permits, even if not required.
The bill was supported by Republican legislators, who argued that Hoosiers should not need permission to exercise their constitutional right to self-defence. Holcomb also stated that the bill upholds the Second Amendment, which has been debated for years.
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Gun control activists detained at the state capitol
On March 21, 2022, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb signed HEA 1296, Indiana's "Constitutional Carry" bill, into law. This bill eliminates the requirement to obtain a permit to carry a handgun in public within the state. In his statement, Governor Holcomb said:
> "HEA 1296, which I've signed today, entrusts Hoosiers who can lawfully carry a handgun to responsibly do so within our state. It’s important to note that if a person is prohibited, under federal or state laws, from possessing a firearm before this law goes into effect, that person will still be prohibited. And if a prohibited person has a firearm, he or she can be prosecuted."
HEA 1296 faced intense opposition at the Statehouse, with Governor Holcomb's state police superintendent and other major law enforcement groups criticizing the bill. They argued that eliminating the permit system would endanger officers by removing a tool for quickly identifying dangerous people who should not have access to guns. Despite this opposition, Governor Holcomb signed the bill, making Indiana the third state to pass such legislation in 2022.
While there is no specific information about gun control activists being detained at the state capitol, it is clear that the "Constitutional Carry" bill was controversial and faced significant opposition from law enforcement and other groups who may have included gun control activists. The bill's signing is likely to have been a focal point for activists concerned about gun control and public safety.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb signed the Constitutional Carry bill into law on Monday, 21 March 2022.
The bill, also known as "permitless carry", eliminates the requirement to have a permit or licence to carry a handgun in public in Indiana.
Gov. Holcomb said, "HEA 1296, which I've signed today, entrusts Hoosiers who can lawfully carry a handgun to responsibly do so within our state". He also noted that people prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal or state law would still be prohibited from doing so under the new law.
The bill faced intense opposition at the Statehouse and from major law enforcement groups, who argued that eliminating the permit system would endanger officers. However, supporters of the bill argued that Hoosiers should not have to ask for permission to exercise their constitutional right to bear arms.
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