Editorial
Taxpayers to pay for unneeded leadership showdown
It s become a legal battle over a legal battle, and Indiana taxpayers will be on the hook for it.
Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb is sparring with GOP colleagues in the General Assembly over a misguided bill enabling lawmakers to call themselves in for emergency legislative sessions.
Battle No. 1: Holcomb and experts including former Indiana Supreme Court Justice Frank Sullivan have said the bill is unconstitutional, and the state grants only the governor the power to call lawmakers back. Lawmakers were upset they weren t consulted on emergency provisions enacted by Holcomb during a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. Those decisions had to be made quickly, but the legislators argue they should have more say in the process.
Paul Helmke, former president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, agreed.
“Indiana already does too little to keep loaded guns out of public places and out of the hands of dangerous people. This bill would make us all less safe,” the former Republican mayor wrote in an email.
No license is required to buy a firearm in Indiana, but one is required for open or concealed carry. Individuals with a conviction for a felony or misdemeanor domestic battery are ineligible, and a license can also be denied in other prescribed situations.
HB 1396 is one of four so-called “constitutional carry” bills proposed by the Republican supermajority, but this one is authored by Auburn Republican Ben Smaltz and co-authored by Rep. Matt Lehman, R-Berne, two powerful members of the House majority. Smaltz is chairman of the House Public Policy Committee, where his bill is assigned and was scheduled to be heard Wednesday. Ironically, the session was canceled over concerns for violence sp
Editorial
Ending gun permits a singularly bad idea
Allen County Prosecutor Karen Richards didn t have to think long to explain why she opposes House Bill 1369, legislation to eliminate handgun licensing.
“This morning is the perfect example,” she said Tuesday, referring to a deadly shooting at a Fort Wayne motel. “With the number of homicides we have, unlicensing handguns is a bad idea all the way around.”
Paul Helmke, former president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, agreed.
“Indiana already does too little to keep loaded guns out of public places and out of the hands of dangerous people. This bill would make us all less safe,” the former Republican mayor wrote in an email.