Tenth Amendment Center – by Mike Maharrey
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Jan. 16, 2017) – A so-called “Constitutional Carry” bill filed in the Indiana House would make it legal for most Hoosiers to carry a firearm without a license, and foster an environment hostile to federal gun control.
Rep. Jim Lucas (R) and three cosponsors introduced House Bill 1159 (HB1159) on Jan. 9. The legislation would repeal the law requiring a person to obtain a license to carry a handgun in Indiana. If passed, any person otherwise legally authorized to carry a handgun could carry concealed without a permit. The law would still allow Indiana residents to obtain a license so they can carry in states that have conceal carry reciprocity with the state.
“Licensing constitutional rights should not be used to acquire revenue,” said Lucas in a statement posted on Facebook.
While constitutional carry bills do not directly affect federal gun control, widespread passage of permitless conceal carry laws in states subtly undermines federal efforts to regulate guns. As we’ve seen with marijuana and industrial hemp, a federal regulation becomes ineffective when states ignore it and pass laws encouraging the prohibited activity anyway. The federal government lacks the enforcement power necessary to maintain its ban, and people will willingly take on the small risk of federal sanctions if they know the state will not interfere. This increases when the state actively encourages “the market.”
Less restrictive state gun laws will likely have a similar impact on federal gun laws. It will make it that much more difficult for the feds to enforce any future federal gun control, and increase the likelihood that states with few limits will simply refuse to cooperate with federal enforcement efforts.
State actions like passage of HB1159 will lower barriers for those wanting to the option of defending themselves with firearms and encourages a “gun-friendly” environment that would make federal efforts to limit firearms that much more difficult.
“Constitutional carry is a big step toward being able to exercise a natural right that has been infringed at all levels for far too long,” ShallNot.org campaign lead Scott Landreth said.
UP NEXT
HB1159 was referred to the House Committee on Public Policy where it will have to pass with a majority vote before moving forward in the legislative process.
Michael Maharrey [send him email] is the Communications Director for the Tenth Amendment Center.He proudly resides in the original home of the Principles of ’98 – Kentucky.See his blog archive here and his article archive here.He is the author of the book, Our Last Hope: Rediscovering the Lost Path to Liberty. You can visit his personal website at MichaelMaharrey.com and like him on Facebook HERE
“…legal for most Hoosiers to carry a firearm without a license, and foster an environment hostile to federal gun control.”
What they’re doing is fostering an environment that’s hostile to criminals, probably because they’re realizing that all those expensive cops do absolutely nothing to fight the growing wetback crime wave, but they want to make it sound like they’re doing you a favor by restoring rights that had no business infringing upon in the first place.
THEY TELL ME HERE THAT I HAVE TO HAVE A “PERMIT” TO CARRY. THEY HAVE AS MUCH RIGHT TO ENFORCE THAT ON ME AS THEY DO TELLING ME NOT TO EAT.I WILL DEFEND MYSELF………………….. I AINT GOIN OUT ALONE……………..
Every state that adopts permitless, constitutional carry marks a big step in the right direction. The more states that do this, the more data there will be proving that violent crime rates don’t increase when permit requirements are removed. That will lower the barrier to even more states going the permitless route.
Of course, I’ve always carried concealed as I felt the need, even without a permit, regardless of which state I was living in. My life and my freedom are infinitely more important than any stupid laws or lawmakers.
There are some good pocket pistols out there now. I hear especially good things about the FN FNS-9C. Some people really like the Sig P938, which is a tiny little 9mm.
Why cant this bill be introduced in Illinois>>???
It isnt “Hostile to Federal Gun Control”
because the Feds shouldn’t have any “control” over our arms to begin with
what are they afraid of ? repercussions for abusing their power? er something like that? .. well good.. its about time they feel some heat for messing with OUR RIGHTS
((“If passed, any person otherwise legally authorized to carry a handgun could carry concealed without a permit. The law would still allow Indiana residents to obtain a license so they can carry in states that have conceal carry reciprocity with the state.”))
Absolutely retarded….and Orwellian………”Permission not required” so, were gonna ask permission from a government bill, so, that already legally “Allowed” individuals can carry concealed…..I’m sorry, I’m still laughing…
Unreal…
I’m always armed and loving it in constitutional carry Arizona.