HB 1071 Passes Despite New Polling Showing Nine in 10 Hoosiers Support Indiana’s Permit Requirement for Carrying a Loaded Handgun in Public
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Indiana chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today criticized the passage of HB 1071, which would create a committee to study permitless carry, a development that would put Indiana closer to dismantling its popular and important permitting system to carry a loaded handgun in public. Like the vast majority of states, Indiana requires a permit in order to carry a concealed handgun in public, and several Indiana law enforcement groups said earlier this year they opposed eliminating this requirement. While HB 1071 would not in itself eliminate Indiana’s permit requirement, by creating a study committee it would bring the state closer to doing so.
The lawmakers who voted to pass HB 1071 today did so despite overwhelming public support for Indiana’s permit requirement. Last month, Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund and the Indiana chapter of Moms Demand Action released a poll conducted by SurveyUSA on behalf of Everytown that found 90 percent of Indiana residents polled – including 84 percent of gun owners, 90 percent of Republicans and 95 percent of Democrats – support Indiana’s permit requirement.
STATEMENT FROM CRYSTAL PASCHAL, A VOLUNTEER WITH THE INDIANA CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“The overwhelming majority of Hoosiers support our permit requirement, but instead of standing up for our safety, the lawmakers who passed this dangerous bill chose to buckle to the gun lobby. Instead of listening to Washington gun lobby interests, our lawmakers should heed the guidance of Indiana law enforcement groups and Hoosier constituents and make sure permitless carry does not become law in Indiana. This is an issue of public safety.”