Lawmakers Passed Permitless Carry Legislation Despite Objection from Law Enforcement and Polls Showing Majority of Hoosiers Oppose Dangerous Bill
Research Shows States That Have Repealed Permitting Systems Have Experienced Increases in Gun Violence
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 House of Representatives passed House Bill 1077, harmful legislation to eliminate Indiana’s permit requirement for carrying a handgun in public. The bill, which now goes to the Indiana Senate, would allow individuals, including those who would not have passed a background check, to carry hidden, loaded handguns in public – a policy shown to increase gun violence in other states.
“Today, our lawmakers took a dangerous step towards making our communities less safe,” said Crystal Paschal, a volunteer with the Indiana chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Indiana’s permitting system is critical to making sure that firearms stay out of the wrong hands — actively dismantling it will put law enforcement and the lives of all Hoosiers at risk. Our lawmakers should be listening to law enforcement officers and the people who elected them, and stop attempting to gut common sense public safety measures that actually protect our communities. The Senate should reject this dangerous legislation.”
Moms Demand Action volunteers, public safety experts, and community leaders, including the Indiana State Police and the Indiana State Fraternal Order of Police, all provided testimony in opposition of permitless carry. In addition to allowing individuals who should not be allowed to carry firearms in public to do so, permitless carry laws strip away a critical tool that law enforcement uses to differentiate between responsible gun owners and those who are prohibited from carrying a loaded weapon in public.
Recent reports show that some Indiana lawmakers held a poll that showed the majority of Indianans in their district oppose dismantling polling requirements and still voted today to eliminate Indiana’s permit requirements. Polling shows that permitting systems like Indiana’s current system are overwhelmingly popular. 88 percent of Americans think you should get a permit before carrying a concealed gun in public.
Repealing permitting requirements has been proven to increase gun violence in other states that have passed similar laws. Research shows that states that have weakened their firearm permitting system have experienced an 11 percent increase in handgun homicide rates and a 13-15 percent increase in violent crime rates.
More information about permitless carry is available here.