Lawmakers seek looser firearm laws(IN)

journalgazette.net ^ | 10 April, 2011 | Niki Kelly

[marktwain]

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana lawmakers are pushing a bevy of bills this year that ease gun regulations – from allowing firearms to be transported without a license to pre-empting local gun laws.

“Emotions run high in this debate,” said Sen. Jim Tomes, R-Wadesville. “We’re zeroed in on gun owners who are good citizens.”

But some advocates and municipal officials are concerned that the proposed changes go too far.

“I wish the legislature would spend more time making it harder for dangerous people to get guns rather than making it easier to have guns wherever you want,” said Paul Helmke, former Fort Wayne mayor and head of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence.

He said a recent poll conducted by both Republican and Democratic polling firms in Indiana and four other states found those surveyed supported keeping gun laws the way they are.

Specifically, in Indiana gun-owning households, 42 percent said the laws should be stricter; 45 percent supported keeping the laws the same and 9 percent wanted less strict gun laws.

Tomes’ bill is attracting the most attention.

Senate Bill 292 essentially prohibits local governmental units – from cities, towns, townships, libraries and mass transit systems – from regulating guns in any manner. Any existing rules or ordinances would be void.

This would eliminate prohibitions against guns in most municipal buildings and public parks, for example.

[marktwain]

Pretty heavy bias in favor of government infringements of the right to keep and bear arms.

[madamemayhem]

“I wish the legislature would spend more time making it harder for dangerous people to get guns rather than making it easier to have guns wherever you want,” said Paul Helmke, former Fort Wayne mayor and head of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence.

Dear Mr. Helmke,
The easier it is for law abiding people to exercise their rights, the harder it will be for “dangerous people” to terrorize us.
madamemayhem

[FourPeas]

Another exception in the bill allows governing bodies to restrict “the intentional display of a firearm at a public meeting.”

I'd guess Indiana isn't an open carry state, even so this sounds ripe for misinterpretation.

[CholeraJoe]

If you have a State of Indiana Handgun License, you are licensed to, “carry on their (your) person or in a vehicle, any handgun lawfully possessed by Licensee.” (Not valid on Commercial Aircraft.)

Furthermore, State Law prohibits employers from restricting the possession of firearms and ammunition securely locked in your vehicle on the premises.

I ususally carry concealed because open carry makes the Earthlings uneasy.

[caver]

“He said a recent poll conducted by both Republican and Democratic polling firms in Indiana and four other states found those surveyed supported keeping gun laws the way they are.
Specifically, in Indiana gun-owning households, 42 percent said the laws should be stricter; 45 percent supported keeping the laws the same and 9 percent wanted less strict gun laws.”

I call BS on these statements. There is no way these are true.