Lawmakers Stripped and Amended Permitless Carry After Hearing Opposition from Indiana State Police, the Indiana State Fraternal Order of Police, Public Safety Advocates, Volunteers
Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action Volunteers are Available for Interviews
The Indiana chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, released the following statement after the Indiana Senate Judiciary Committee amended House Bill 1077 to include policies that would require an individual to obtain a provisional handgun license – which lasts for 90 days – while waiting for a traditional handgun license. The application for a provisional license includes a background check – a critical measure to ensure public safety. As amended, the bill would also no longer eliminate Indiana’s concealed carry handgun license requirement – a policy shown to increase gun violence in other states that is broadly opposed by law enforcement, including law enforcement in Indiana.
“Law enforcement officers from across our state agree — there is zero reason to gut our state’s permitting system because it will only make our gun violence crisis worse” said Heather Hilbert, a volunteer with the Indiana chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Our permitting system is a simple and effective public safety measure that makes sure that firearms stay out of the wrong hands. We’re glad that our lawmakers are listening to the people whose job it is to keep us safe and amended this dangerous bill.”
In addition to testimony from Moms Demand Action volunteers during yesterday’s hearing, lawmakers heard significant opposition from the head of the Indiana State Police, officers and representatives from the Fort Wayne Police Department, Evansville Police Department, the Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police, the Indiana State Fraternal Order of Police.
More information about permitless carry is available here.