Gun Carry Recommendations Include Studying Current Hurdles To Getting A License

A special legislative study committee wrapped up three months of work this week. The panel declined to get specific on a recommendation to eliminate Indiana’s handgun license requirement, opting instead to make recommendations on studying current hurdles to getting a gun license.

The joint committee adopted the report after hearing hours of testimony from both sides on the issue of repealing a law requiring a license to carry handguns in public.

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense had a heavy presence at all of the meetings and Beth Sprunger from the Indiana chapter says they are pleased with the outcome.

“We feel positive that they listened to law enforcement agencies and they listened to the constituents that came up and spoke and we’re pleased that they did not recommend to remove the licensing system,” says Sprunger.

Legislators did decide to recommend the study of removing current hurdles, like fingerprinting and fees, to acquire a license. Sen. Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) chaired the committee.

“The language is general and it’s general intentionally, I guess,” says Bray. “If you look at that it’s not making any specific recommendations on what hurdles would be removed to exercise that Second Amendment right.”

One change to the report suggests better tools to identify people with mental health issues and improve access to resources.

Sen. Tim Lanane (D-Anderson) wanted more direct language in the report.

“If we’re not making a recommendation to repeal the current licensing requirements, I think the report should state that,” says Lanane.

The report will go to the General Assembly where the debate will continue next year.