(INDIANAPOLIS) – The bill to abolish gun permits in Indiana is dead, but only temporarily.
The House has already voted to get rid of carry permits. After a marathon nine-hour hearing last week, a Senate committee voted instead to create a provisional license for gun owners awaiting approval, to address complaints that the approval process drags on too long. speed up the approval process.
But the full Senate never voted on either version, because of a procedural issue. Senate rules require bills to go through the Rules Committee if what’s called a “strip and insert” amendment completely replaces the original text. When the amendment stripping the gun bill passed the committee, it was too late to meet a Thursday deadline for a Rules Committee review.
Rather than let the bill die, President Pro Tem Rod Bray (R-Martinsville) says he’s working with House leaders to find another bill they can gut to make room for the gun permit language. He says people on both sides of the issue are passionate about it and deserve a vote on it.
Among the forceful voices against the bill is State Police Superintendent Doug Carter, who lashed out at the bill at last week’s hearing as a vote against law enforcement, accusing supporters of “political posturing.” Bray and House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) both said they’re “disappointed” in Carter’s comments. Bray says legislators have been “incredibly supportive” of law enforcement — he says there’s just a difference of opinion on one issue.
While a couple of sheriffs testified in favor of the bill, most police groups have opposed it, saying the permit process allows police chiefs to weed out people barred by law from carrying guns, and lets police officers quickly determine whether a driver they’ve pulled over is known to have a gun.
Bray says leaders haven’t decided which bill will house the provision, nor what form the bill will take.
Legislators must adjourn for the year by March 14 but are expected to end the session sometime next week.
Indiana would be the 22nd state to get rid of gun permits. Gun owners could still apply for permits to smooth travel to the 28 states which still require them, but wouldn’t need them within Indiana.
