Indiana’s governor has signed a bill that will allow citizens to carry a concealed firearm without a permit.
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb signed the bill Monday despite some criticism from law enforcement across the state.
“[The newly signed bill] entrusts Hoosiers who can lawfully carry a handgun to responsibly do so within our State,” Holcomb said in a statement. “It’s important to note that if a person is prohibited, under federal or state laws, from possessing a firearm before this law goes into effect, that person will still be prohibited. And if a prohibited person has a firearm, he or she can be prosecuted. Firearm permits will remain available, without fee, to anyone who wants or needs one, such as Hoosiers desiring to carry a firearm to, through or in another state that has reciprocity with Indiana.”
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While the law no longer requires a permit, law enforcement officials like Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter said that they intend to encourage Indiana residents to get firearms permits.
“As Superintendent of the Indiana State Police, I have pledged my continued commitment to Governor Holcomb to work towards solutions enacting [the bill.],” Carter said in a statement. “I, like Governor Holcomb, feel enormous responsibility for front-line law enforcement officers. I will work with law enforcement leaders across our state to make necessary changes to firearms enforcement as well as finding the best way to identify individuals who are not allowed to carry a firearm as defined by Indiana statute.”
The Indiana Democratic Party was less than pleased with the bill’s passing. “A majority of Hoosiers told Indiana Republicans directly they opposed permitless carry,” said Chairman Mike Schmuhl in a statement. “State law enforcement echoed their opposition to the measure a year after Republicans defunded their departments. But unfortunately, Governor Eric Holcomb decided to put politics ahead of protecting the safety of Hoosier families by signing permitless carry into law.”
The law will go into effect on July 1, 2022, and will allow Indiana to become the 23rd state to allow one to carry a handgun without a permit.
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Holcomb also made news on Monday after vetoing a bill that bans transgender students who identify as female from participating in girls’ school sports. The Indiana governor previously expressed support for the bill in February but said Monday that the legislation “falls short” of creating a statewide policy that would uphold “fairness in K-12 sports.”
