Isabella Carter
Indiana lawmakers passed the 'constitutional carry' bill, which eliminates the license requirement to carry a handgun. The bill, which was approved on the last day of the legislative session, now heads to the governor. Indiana is one of several states that have embraced constitutional carry or permitless carry, with supporters arguing that citizens should not have to ask permission to exercise their constitutional right to bear arms. However, opponents, including police officers, argue that the bill would make it harder for police to carry out routine tasks like traffic stops, as there would be no easy way to check if someone is allowed to carry a firearm.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Did Indiana Senate pass constitutional carry? | Yes, Indiana lawmakers approved the bill on the last day of the legislative session |
| When was the bill passed? | 2022 |
| What does the bill do? | Eliminates the license requirement to carry a handgun |
| Who opposed the bill? | Police officers from several departments and associations, Senate Judiciary Chair Liz Brown, Jennifer Haan with Moms Demand Action in Indiana |
| Who supported the bill? | Pro-gun groups, Sen. Eric Koch, R-Bedford, Rep. Terri Austin, D-Anderson |
| What happens if the governor vetoes the bill? | He risks being the sole politician to stand in the way of so-called "constitutional carry," potentially angering the conservative wing of his party |
| What happens if the governor signs the bill? | He will be going against the wishes of the head of the state police, Douglas Carter |
| What is the bill number? | House Bill 1077, House Bill 1296 |
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What You'll Learn
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb signed the bill into law in March 2022
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb signed House Bill 1296 into law on March 21, 2022, making Indiana the 24th US state to institute constitutional carry. The bill eliminates the license requirement to carry a handgun and applies to both residents and non-residents aged 18 and older.
The bill's passage through the Indiana state legislature was not without controversy. The bill split Senate Republicans, and Governor Holcomb, also a Republican, found himself in a difficult position. If he vetoed the bill, he would anger the conservative wing of his party, but signing it would go against the wishes of the head of the state police, Douglas Carter, who accused lawmakers of pandering to lobbyists and political posturing.
In the end, Governor Holcomb chose to sign the bill, making Indiana one of over half of US states to have embraced constitutional carry or permitless carry. The bill took effect on July 1, 2022.
The issue of constitutional carry has been a contentious one in Indiana for several years. Conservative groups in the state had pushed for similar legislation unsuccessfully since at least 2016. In 2021, the Indiana House voted to eliminate the license requirement to carry handguns, but the bill ultimately failed to pass the state Senate.
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The bill eliminates the license requirement to carry a handgun
Indiana lawmakers have approved a bill that eliminates the license requirement to carry a handgun. This legislation, known as "constitutional carry," passed with support from the Republican majority in the Senate, despite opposition from Democrats and police officers. The bill allows anyone who can legally carry a handgun to do so without a permit, including Hoosiers aged 18 and older. It also increases the penalty for firearm theft to a Level 5 felony, punishable by imprisonment of one to six years and a fine of up to $10,000.
The approval of this bill represents a significant shift in Indiana's gun laws. Previously, Hoosiers had to obtain a license to carry a handgun, which involved a process of applications and fingerprint appointments. While some celebrated this change as a victory for constitutional rights, others expressed concerns about safety implications and the challenges it poses for law enforcement. Opponents argue that removing the permit requirement will make it harder for police to determine whether an individual is legally allowed to carry a firearm during routine interactions.
The bill's passage through the Senate was not without obstacles. Initially, the language of the bill was part of a different proposal that was rejected by the Indiana Senate. However, lawmakers promised to insert the "constitutional carry" provision into another bill, which they successfully did on the last day of the legislative session. This move faced criticism from opponents, who claimed that the process was messy and rushed.
The bill now heads to the governor, Eric Holcomb, who faces a difficult decision. If he vetoes the bill, he risks angering the conservative wing of his party. On the other hand, signing the bill would go against the wishes of the state police head, Douglas Carter, who criticized the legislation as political posturing. Governor Holcomb has not yet indicated his decision, and the potential political ramifications of his choice remain to be seen.
While Indiana has joined the growing list of states with permitless carry laws, the debate around gun control and public safety continues. Supporters of "constitutional carry" argue that Hoosiers should not need permission to exercise their constitutional right to bear arms. However, opponents emphasize the importance of firearm restrictions in reducing gun violence and maintaining peace within the state. The effectiveness of these conflicting approaches remains a subject of ongoing discussion and analysis.
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The bill passed with a 64-29 vote in the House
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The bill faced opposition from police officers and lawmakers
Indiana's "constitutional carry" bill faced opposition from police officers and lawmakers. The bill, which eliminates the license requirement to carry a handgun, was approved by Indiana's lawmakers and sent to Governor Eric Holcomb for signing. However, it faced resistance from various quarters, including law enforcement and political leaders.
The Indiana State Police, led by Superintendent Douglas Carter, opposed the bill, arguing that it would make police work more challenging. They explained that without a permit requirement, officers would have no easy way to determine if someone is allowed to carry a firearm during routine traffic stops or other encounters. Carter also accused lawmakers of pandering to lobbyists and engaging in political posturing rather than considering the complexities of the issue.
Some lawmakers shared the concerns of the police, with Senator Michael Crider expressing unease about the process of pushing the bill through. Rep. Terri Austin, D-Anderson, made a similar argument, stating that Hoosiers must register to vote and questioned why the right to bear arms should be any different. Opponents of the bill also highlighted safety concerns, pointing out that states with more firearm restrictions tend to experience less gun violence.
The bill's passage through the legislative process was not smooth, with the Senate Judiciary Committee voting to gut an earlier version of the bill. Additionally, the bill split Senate Republicans, indicating that there was not unanimous support for the measure within the party. Governor Holcomb himself was placed in a tricky situation, as signing the bill would go against the wishes of the head of the state police, while vetoing it could anger the conservative wing of his party.
Despite the opposition, the bill ultimately became law in Indiana, making it one of several states to institute constitutional carry or permitless carry.
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Indiana is the 24th state to institute constitutional carry
Indiana became the 24th state to institute constitutional carry in 2022. The legislation, known as House Bill 1077 or House Bill 1296, allows any law-abiding adult who is legally eligible to obtain a carry permit to carry a handgun without first having to obtain government permission. This ensures that citizens have their right to self-defense without government red tape or delays.
The bill was approved by the Indiana House with a vote of 64-29 and then passed by the Indiana Senate on the last day of the legislative session. It eliminates the license requirement to carry a handgun for Hoosiers 18 years and older. The bill also elevates the theft of a firearm to a Level 5 felony, meaning someone convicted would face imprisonment of one to six years and a fine of up to $10,000.
Supporters of constitutional carry argue that Hoosiers should not have to ask permission or go through potential delays to get a permit in order to exercise their constitutional right to bear arms. They also point out that no state that has passed such legislation has ever repealed it. However, opponents worry about the safety implications of removing the permitting system, arguing that police would not have an easy way to check whether someone is allowed to carry a firearm. They also believe that it would make it more challenging for police to make routine traffic stops.
Indiana joined several other states in passing constitutional carry legislation in 2022, including Alabama, Ohio, and Georgia. Over the past two decades, more than 50% of US states have passed similar laws, with 16 of the 29 states adopting constitutional carry or permitless carry in just the last five years.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Indiana Senate passed constitutional carry in 2022.
Constitutional carry allows for permitless carry, both openly and concealed, for adults over the age of 18.
The Indiana House Bill 1077 passed with a 64 to 29 vote.
