Lafayette officials worry it makes it difficult to know whether someone is carrying a gun illegally.
Lawmakers behind the legislation say the state’s current permitting process is too restrictive and their bill removes hurdles for those who want to legally carry a handgun.
At a hearing on his bill, Representative Ben Smaltz assured people that his legislation would not turn Indiana into “the Wild West.”
“This bill is for the lawful citizen of the state of Indiana,” he said. “The simplest way to look at this bill is if you were going to get the permit anyway, you just don’t have to anymore. If you were never going to get the permit because of your criminal behavior, we’re not going to let you have a gun.”