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Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb signed Indiana's Constitutional Carry bill, also known as HEA 1296 or permitless carry, into law on March 21, 2022, despite initially refusing to comment on whether he would sign or veto the bill. The bill eliminates the requirement for a license to carry a handgun in Indiana, allowing most Hoosiers aged 18 and older to carry a handgun in public without a background check.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the bill | Indiana's Constitutional Carry bill |
| Bill number | HEA 1296 |
| Date signed into law | March 22, 2022 |
| Effective date | July 1, 2022 |
| What it does | Eliminates the requirement of a permit to carry a handgun in Indiana |
| Who can carry a gun without a permit | Anyone 18 or older except for reasons such as having a felony conviction or a dangerous mental illness |
| Who opposed the bill | Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter, gun safety activists |
| Who supported the bill | Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne |
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What You'll Learn
- Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb signed HEA 1296 into law
- The bill repeals the requirement for a permit to carry a handgun in public
- Holcomb's decision faced intense opposition at the Statehouse
- Indiana becomes the third state to pass such legislation in 2022
- Holcomb's support for the bill was questioned by Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb signed HEA 1296 into law
In a statement, Governor 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. Twenty-three other states have laws comparable to HEA 1296. Vermont has had a constitutional carry law in place since it became a state, and several other states have had a similar law for more than a decade. HEA 1296, which I've signed today, entrusts Hoosiers who can lawfully carry a handgun to responsibly do so within our state.
The bill was opposed by Democrats, some Republicans, and gun safety activists. Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter, appointed by Governor Holcomb, also opposed the bill, stating:
> If you support this bill, you will not be supporting us [the law enforcement community].
However, Governor Holcomb pledged to work with law enforcement leaders to make necessary changes to firearms enforcement and identify individuals who are not allowed to carry a firearm.
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The bill repeals the requirement for a permit to carry a handgun in public
On March 22, 2022, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb signed into law HEA 1296, Indiana's Constitutional Carry bill, making Indiana the third state to pass such legislation that year. The bill repeals the requirement for a permit to carry a handgun in public, allowing most Hoosiers aged 18 and older to carry a handgun without a background check.
Prior to the bill, Indiana already had weaker handgun carry laws compared to other states. In 2021, the permit became free, and there was no training requirement attached to the permitting process. The new law means that anyone who can legally carry a handgun with a permit can now do so without one, although permits will still be available to those who want or need them, such as those travelling to another state that requires a permit.
Supporters of the bill argued that Hoosiers shouldn't have to ask for permission to exercise a constitutional right, and that they should be able to defend themselves with a handgun in public as they would in their homes. Governor Holcomb stated that "HEA 1296, which I've signed today, entrusts Hoosiers who can lawfully carry a handgun to responsibly do so within our state."
However, the bill faced opposition from Democrats, some Republicans, and gun safety activists. Critics argued that permitless carry bills lower the bar for who can carry hidden handguns in public and allow untrained and unvetted people to carry concealed guns in public spaces. Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne, opposed the bill, stating that the discussion was political rather than about guns or fixing the permitting process. Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter, also a critic of the bill, pledged his continued commitment to Governor Holcomb and stated that he would work with law enforcement leaders to identify individuals who are not allowed to carry a firearm as defined by Indiana statute.
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Holcomb's decision faced intense opposition at the Statehouse
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb's decision to sign the "'constitutional carry'intense opposition at the Statehouse. Holcomb signed HEA 1296 just before his Tuesday deadline to act on the legislation, which was met with criticism from various groups, including lawmakers, law enforcement officials, and gun safety activists.
The bill, also known as the "permitless carry" bill, eliminates the requirement for a permit or license to carry a handgun in public in Indiana. This move was opposed by some lawmakers, including Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne, who argued that the discussion was not about guns but rather a political attempt to define conservatism. Brown remained opposed to a complete permitless carry bill, expressing concern for the safety of Hoosiers and police officers.
Gun safety activists Heather Hilbert and Becca McCracken also voiced their opposition to the bill by waiting outside Holcomb's office at the Indiana Statehouse, hoping to meet with the governor. However, they were detained in handcuffs by Capitol Police and charged with criminal trespassing.
Additionally, Holcomb's decision went against the vocal opposition of his own State Police Superintendent, Doug Carter, who was appointed by the governor himself. Carter expressed safety concerns and warned lawmakers that if they supported the bill, they would not be supporting law enforcement. He emphasized the importance of permits in helping officers quickly identify individuals who should not have access to firearms.
Despite the intense opposition, Holcomb stood by his decision to sign the bill, citing support for the Second Amendment and the responsibility of individuals to carry handguns responsibly within the state. The bill took effect on July 1, 2022, making Indiana the third state to pass such legislation in 2022.
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Indiana becomes the third state to pass such legislation in 2022
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb signed into law HEA 1296, Indiana's Constitutional Carry bill, making Indiana the third state to pass such legislation in 2022. The bill removes the requirement for a permit to carry a handgun in public in Indiana, allowing most Hoosiers aged 18 and older to carry a handgun without a background check.
The bill faced intense opposition at the Statehouse, including from Holcomb-appointed Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter, who expressed concerns about safety and law enforcement. Gun safety activists also protested the bill, and some legislators questioned the process by which the bill was passed. Despite this, Governor Holcomb signed the bill into law, stating that it ""entrusts Hoosiers who can lawfully carry a handgun to responsibly do so within our state".
The law went into effect on July 1, 2022, and Indiana joined 21 other states that already allowed residents to carry handguns without a permit at the time. The bill's passage highlights the ongoing debate over gun control and the Second Amendment in the United States, with advocates of the proposal arguing that Hoosiers should have the right to defend themselves with a handgun in public.
While the bill removes the requirement for a permit, residents of Indiana still have the option to obtain a gun permit, which may be useful for carrying a firearm in other states that require a permit. The bill's impact on public safety and law enforcement in Indiana remains to be seen, with some expressing concerns about the potential dangers of eliminating the permit system.
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Holcomb's support for the bill was questioned by Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb's support for the Constitutional Carry bill was questioned by many, including Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter. Holcomb signed the bill into law in March 2022, making Indiana the third state to pass such legislation that year. 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 support for the bill was called into question due to his initial silence on the matter. When asked about his position, he declined to say whether he would sign or veto the bill, and his support for it was seen as a way to protect his Senate aspirations. However, despite his reluctance to publicly endorse the bill, Holcomb's actions ultimately showed his support for it.
Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter, on the other hand, was a vocal critic of the bill. He issued a statement expressing his disappointment in the lawmakers who were pushing for the "constitutional carry" legislation. Carter, appointed by Holcomb, cared deeply about his colleagues, cohorts, and citizens, and his passionate stance against the bill caught the attention of many. In his statement, Carter warned that the bill would not be supported by the law enforcement community. He argued that eliminating the permit system would endanger officers by removing a tool for identifying individuals who should not have access to firearms.
Despite their differing views on the bill, Holcomb expressed his support for Carter, stating that he stood behind the superintendent's words and passion. Holcomb acknowledged that Carter's comments were emotionally driven and assured that he would never ask the superintendent to curtail his passion. While Holcomb's reasons for signing the bill may have been politically motivated, he emphasized his commitment to the Second Amendment and the responsibility of individuals to use their firearms responsibly within the state.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Governor Eric Holcomb of Indiana signed the constitutional carry bill into law on Monday, March 21, 2022.
The constitutional carry bill, also known as the permitless carry bill, eliminates the requirement to have a permit or license to carry a handgun in public in Indiana.
The bill faced intense opposition at the Statehouse, including from Governor Holcomb's own state police superintendent, Doug Carter, and other law enforcement groups. Gun safety activists also opposed the bill. However, some supported the bill, arguing that Hoosiers should have the right to defend themselves with a handgun in public.
The bill allows anyone aged 18 or older to carry a handgun in public in Indiana without a permit, except for those with felony convictions or dangerous mental illnesses. Indiana became the third state to pass such legislation in 2022, joining 21 other states with similar laws already in place.
The bill went into effect on July 1, 2022.
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