2017 Legislative session thread

[actaeon277]

And THANK YOU everybody that's updating us on these bills.

 

[asipes]

All... In addition to contacting your representatives... I'm sure we ALL have friends/family who aren't in the know, and aren't INGO'ers. I just sent the following email to gun-friendly friends and family. Please feel free to use the text below as a template to do the same or use it for inspiration to do the same. I am reliant upon some of the information that you guys share here, but I try to dumb it down even more AND provide links to all of the information and contact pages - to increase the odds/chances that my friends and family will actually contact the representatives.

As you may already know, Indiana Representative Lucas has authored a bill for Constitutional Carry (HB 1159) in the state of Indiana (which would allow you to exercise your constitutional right to carry a firearm in Indiana without the need for a license). The first hurdle for the bill is to make it out of committee and to its first hearing. Rep. Lucas authored similar bills in previous years, but the bills died on the vine because of Rep. Dermody (Former Chairman of the House Public Policy Committee) and his refusal to give them a hearing. This year, the House Public Policy Committee is chaired by Rep. Ben Smaltz of District 52. Odds are better that the bill will get a hearing, but are not guaranteed. It is recommended that interested parties contact Rep. Ben Smaltz and request that he allow the bill to move forward.


The text of Rep. Lucas' bill can be found here:
https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2017/bills/house/1159


The state's leading gun-related/gun-rights lawyer, Guy Relford, wrote a nice piece - Debunking the Arguments Against Constitutional Carry. You can read Guy's article here:

Debunking the Arguments against Constitutional Carry | 93.1 WIBC


I ask that you please contact Rep. Ben Smaltz and request that he allow the bill to move forward for a vote. You can contact Ben Smaltz (District 52) here:

Ben Smaltz | State of Indiana House of Representatives


As an example, I copied the message I sent to Rep. Ben Smaltz (below). I ask that you not copy the wording, but use the example as inspiration for your own request.


Ben, I am a husband, a father of 4 young boys, an I.T. Professional, hunter, and a licensed-to-carry, responsible gun owner. Although I already possess an Indiana License to Carry a firearm, I feel it is important that Indiana follow in the steps of many other states and enact Constitutional Carry. I ask that you please take necessary action to allow Rep. Lucas' HB 1159 to be heard/considered. As we know, the current requirement for a license only affects law abiding citizens and does little-to-nothing to prevent those with ill intent. I thank you for your consideration to this matter. I look forward to the passage of this bill. Thank you!


Please feel free to share this email with anyone you think might be interested and/or compelled to write their representatives. This is only the first step. If/when the bill is moved forward for a hearing, I will do my best to stay informed and will ask that you contact additional representatives at that time. I will do my best to provide the necessary information/links for your convenience. There are additional gun-related House and Senate bills that may be of interest. Please stay tuned for additional information/instructions.



Thank you!

 

[Timjoebillybob]

HB 1588 has been introduced by Rep Lucas. No link yet. Per the synopsis, gets rid of quite a few "gun free zones" including schools, school buses, casinos, state fair, etc.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

I am shocked that there has not been any chatter about SB8 with as much bandwidth as civil forfeiture gets on INGO.

Did anyone attend the committee meeting today?

 

[Timjoebillybob]

I am shocked that there has not been any chatter about SB8 with as much bandwidth as civil forfeiture gets on INGO.

Did anyone attend the committee meeting today?

If that's the one I'm thinking of, I read it. Was planning on posting about it in the general politics thread eventually.

 

[Bill of Rights]

I have found the following bills at this writing:

SB 13: Use of firearms to secure loans.
SB 14: Handguns and professional staff.
SB 43: Possession of firearms in locked vehicles.
SB 50: Retail sales of Tannerite.
SB 78: Possession of firearms on school property.
SB 123: Handgun training.
SB 344: Possession of a firearm by an illegal alien.
SB 426: Open carry of rifles.

HB 1051: Firearms and federalism.
HB 1071: Authorization to carry a handgun.
HB 1095: Plastic-coated ammunition.
HB 1159: Regulation of firearms.
HB 1161: Income tax credit for firearms safety expenses.
HB 1162: Armed officers on school property.
HB 1242: Sentence enhancement for use of a firearm.
HB 1250: Handgun licenses and law enforcement officers.
HB 1258: Firearms on state university campuses.
HB 1326: Income tax credit for firearms instruction.

Bills in BOLD are the ones I consider to be good, pro-gun rights bills that need to pass, though some could use some amending.

Bills underlined are the ones I consider to be anti-rights and intended to make us safer, even if they kill us.

SB 50 is intended to make tannerite difficult to purchase
SB 123's author wants us to have to take a training class (which will never be comprehensive enough) to obtain a LTCH
SB 426, authored by Sen. Greg Taylor, is an attempt to criminalize the OC of rifles and to institute an AWB for Indiana.
HB 1095, I'm withholding comment. The author is ostensibly pro-gun rights, so perhaps his intent with this bill is in our favor, but I'm not seeing it at this writing.

SB 13: Use of firearms to secure loans.
SB 14: Handguns and professional staff.
SB 43: Possession of firearms in locked vehicles.
SB 78: Possession of firearms on school property.
SB 344: Possession of a firearm by an illegal alien.
HB 1051: Firearms and federalism.
HB 1071: Authorization to carry a handgun.
HB 1159: Regulation of firearms.
HB 1161: Income tax credit for firearms safety expenses.
HB 1162: Armed officers on school property.
HB 1242: Sentence enhancement for use of a firearm.
HB 1250: Handgun licenses and law enforcement officers.
HB 1258: Firearms on state university campuses.
HB 1326: Income tax credit for firearms instruction.

Most if not all of the bolded bills have been explained. Some could use some amending, but are generally good. (For example, a legislator's LA has not somehow magically safer; s/he holds the same LTCH I hold. If they can carry in the State House, there is no reason we should not, and this could be amended into the bill either in committee or on the floor of the House or the Senate.)

Blessings,
Bill

 

[actaeon277]

So, when I write, is it one letter with why I hate/like each one, or is it 14 different letters?

 

[brotherbill3]

BoR - I have seen a higher number for the House; Mr. Lucas has (since I last posted and last updated info I saw) shared a cover page for HB 1588.
This is the "removes all GFZ from State Level" Legislation (note: cannot change federal law). ... so there may be a few more ...

Since the HB's had to be submitted by yesterday - I hope we see a complete list soon. The Senate has thru tomorrow
(both days are IIRC, and do not include vehicle bills, which can change).

Thanks for all the work!

 

[Bill of Rights]

Thanks BB3, I saw that, too. However, I'm only including those listed on the site so far, above. When Mr. Lucas' bill appears there, unless someone else gets it posted here (and maybe even then) I'll post it also. As of now, I see one missing number on the House side, the lesser of HB 1363, and two missing on the Senate side, the lesser of SB 460. The Senate also has 58 Vehicle Bills.

I appreciate you backing me up on keeping this info up to date!

Act, I've said in past years, and I'll clarify that I don't mean this as an insult to anyone, when writing to legislators, pretend they're about 5 years old. I don't mean you have to print everything in big letters using a crayon, and I don't impugn their intelligence; rather I mean that the legislator might, as some promise, actually read every letter, but how much of that do they digest? Probably very little, given the volume of letters they receive, especially with "WRITE YOUR LEGISLATOR!!!one!!" campaigns like we do every year.

Accordingly, I'd keep the details to a minimum. The letter I sent to Mr. Bosma before the bill number (HB 1159) was announced asked him to support pro-gun rights legislation. Short and sweet. I said "I support bills such as Mr. Lucas is reportedly going to introduce, and I ask that you, in your position as Speaker of the House, do likewise." I also acknowledged that his support of those bills is vital to their passage.

Were I writing that letter today, I'd say much the same, but I might add that I ask that some, including SB 123 and 426, be scuttled.

Hope that helps!

Blessings,
Bill

BoR - I have seen a higher number for the House; Mr. Lucas has (since I last posted and last updated info I saw) shared a cover page for HB 1588.
This is the "removes all GFZ from State Level" Legislation (note: cannot change federal law). ... so there may be a few more ...

Since the HB's had to be submitted by yesterday - I hope we see a complete list soon. The Senate has thru tomorrow
(both days are IIRC, and do not include vehicle bills, which can change).

Thanks for all the work!

 

[opus1776]

I have found the following bills at this writing:

HB 1095: Plastic-coated ammunition.

HB 1095, I'm withholding comment. The author is ostensibly pro-gun rights, so perhaps his intent with this bill is in our favor, but I'm not seeing it at this writing.


Blessings,
Bill

Bill,

My state rep who authored HB1095 is having a town hall/meet and greet this sat. I am going to go and try to get some info about this bill and the reason for it....














======================================
"Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels" K. Moss
You can NEVER be too rich or too thin.
Life is not a journey, but a series of unplanned detours...
Perfection: is not a goal---it's a demanded expectation.

 

[Bill of Rights]

Rep added!

I'm sure his intention is good. I don't see how, but maybe he wants to amend it later to add some other, related good language.

Bill,

My state rep who authored HB1095 is having a town hall/meet and greet this sat. I am going to go and try to get some info about this bill and the reason for it....













======================================
"Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels" K. Moss
You can NEVER be too rich or too thin.
Life is not a journey, but a series of unplanned detours...
Perfection: is not a goal---it's a demanded expectation.

 

[brotherbill3]

Bill,

My state rep who authored HB1095 is having a town hall/meet and greet this sat. I am going to go and try to get some info about this bill and the reason for it....

Best way to get their attention and (remember politely, but firmly) give them your position on the matter. Something to hand them to help them remember (business card) is good too.


Good Luck!

 

[brotherbill3]

Thanks BB3, I saw that, too. However, I'm only including those listed on the site so far, above. When Mr. Lucas' bill appears there, unless someone else gets it posted here (and maybe even then) I'll post it also. As of now, I see one missing number on the House side, the lesser of HB 1363, and two missing on the Senate side, the lesser of SB 460. The Senate also has 58 Vehicle Bills.

I appreciate you backing me up on keeping this info up to date!
....

Blessings,
Bill

Roger and you're welcome. I wasn't sure if you had; and thought others might think this was the "end of submission list" ...
There are more - probably be listing them until Monday as Senate still has through today to add;

Now if we can just get the committee to hear something (no meetings scheduled yet that I've seen; but mostly watching House Pub.Policy)

 

[opus1776]

Bill and bill,

Upon further review I think I understand the logic behind HB1095. The present code is:

Sec. 11. (a) As used in this section, “armor-piercing handgun ammunition” means a cartridge that:
(1) can be fired in a handgun;  and

(2) will, upon firing, expel a projectile that has a metal core and an outer coating of plastic.

(b) A person who knowingly or intentionally:
(1) manufactures;

(2) possesses;

(3) transfers possession of;  or

(4) offers to transfer possession of;

armor-piercing handgun ammunition commits a Level 5 felony.

(c) This section does not apply to nylon coated ammunition, plastic shot capsules, or ammunition designed to be used in rifles or shotguns.

(d) This section does not apply to a law enforcement officer who is acting in the course of the officer's official duties or to a person who manufactures or imports for sale or sells armor-piercing handgun ammunition to a law enforcement agency.


The part in red is the important part. Basically anyone who reloads using powder coated bullets is technically making AP ammo. The new bill replaces the above text with the ATF definition of AP ammo and tightens up the definition by stating that the new law only applies to bullets specifically made for handguns.

HB1095 is . My .


I am still going to ask Burton to make sure that my reasoning is correct.......


Link to HB1095:


https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2017/bills/house/1095#document-752712a6








======================================
"Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels" K. Moss
You can NEVER be too rich or too thin.
Life is not a journey, but a series of unplanned detours...
Perfection: is not a goal---it's a demanded expectation.

 

[Bill of Rights]

Thanks, Opus.

It seems to me that the better solution is to repeal that law. Do we really have that much of a problem with "armor-piercing handgun ammunition"?

IIRC, this is one of those "knee-jerk" laws that was passed in response to the "cop-killer" Black Talon ammo, just as the switchblade law (as Kirk told us before its repeal) was a response to people seeing West Side Story and suddenly deciding the gangs could be kept from criminal misbehavior if we only didn't have those scary knives around for them to use.

Just repeal it, don't try to polish the turd.



Blessings,
Bill

Bill and bill,

Upon further review I think I understand the logic behind HB1095. The present code is:

Sec. 11. (a) As used in this section, “armor-piercing handgun ammunition” means a cartridge that:
(1) can be fired in a handgun;  and

(2) will, upon firing, expel a projectile that has a metal core and an outer coating of plastic.

(b) A person who knowingly or intentionally:
(1) manufactures;

(2) possesses;

(3) transfers possession of;  or

(4) offers to transfer possession of;

armor-piercing handgun ammunition commits a Level 5 felony.

(c) This section does not apply to nylon coated ammunition, plastic shot capsules, or ammunition designed to be used in rifles or shotguns.

(d) This section does not apply to a law enforcement officer who is acting in the course of the officer's official duties or to a person who manufactures or imports for sale or sells armor-piercing handgun ammunition to a law enforcement agency.


The part in red is the important part. Basically anyone who reloads using powder coated bullets is technically making AP ammo. The new bill replaces the above text with the ATF definition of AP ammo and tightens up the definition by stating that the new law only applies to bullets specifically made for handguns.

HB1095 is . My .


I am still going to ask Burton to make sure that my reasoning is correct.......


Link to HB1095:


https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2017/bills/house/1095#document-752712a6








======================================
"Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels" K. Moss
You can NEVER be too rich or too thin.
Life is not a journey, but a series of unplanned detours...
Perfection: is not a goal---it's a demanded expectation.

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

Cross posting:

Now...this may be taken out of context as the report did not show Bosma saying the words but listen to the clip in the article below. At the very end, the reporter asserts/implies Bosma doesn't want to clog up the session with a bunch of gun bills.

Proposed bills in General Assembly favor gun owners | Fox 59

 

[chipbennett]

Cross posting:

Now...this may be taken out of context as the report did not show Bosma saying the words but listen to the clip in the article below. At the very end, the reporter asserts/implies Bosma doesn't want to clog up the session with a bunch of gun bills.

Proposed bills in General Assembly favor gun owners | Fox 59

Indeed. We don't need to "clog up" the legislative session with more freedom. The Republicans have more important things to do, like raise the gas tax.

 

[Signess]

Ref SB78 - I didn't know there was any issue with carrying at a house of worship. Pretty sure about half the people at my church carry including all the little old ladies.

 

[brotherbill3]

OK ...

Odd that this hasn't been noted - or perhaps NOT given that we're all busy with mis-information elsewhere and this "seems" minor on the surface -

SB 191 - "Disposal of Firearms" - changes the timeframes for disposal and some of the parameters ... Anyone with details? I'm going to write to try and find out before it reaches the House PP committee ... Sen Crider "Will be" (after house is done) my "state sen" so ... may as well "introduce" myself ... bhahahaha.

(he also has one about hospital chains getting to have their own police dept ... what?)

 

[brotherbill3]

OK - short version of FULL "MID SESSION UPDATE"

HB's ALIVE:
1095 - GOOD - (Fixes Errors on Ammo)
1250 - OK; maybe - (LEO LTCH Fees)
1071 - BEST ONE WE GOT + 1159 rolled in for Summer Study or Senate Add - (Protection Order Temporary Carry) + (Constitutional Carry Study)

All headed to Senate Judiciary Committee

SB's Alive:
SB 13 - OK (Firearms as Collateral)
SB 191 - OK (fixes issues on Firearms Disposal, LEO agency request to reduce burdens)
SB 344 - GOOD (Illegal Alien Possession of Firearm - State Felony)
SB 43 - GOOD / FAIR? - (Jail Employee Parking Lot Protection) / (Admin/LSA carry at State House)

Where the SB's are headed is not yet listed. (public policy is likely for some).


We have longer updates on IMAGC: (yeah it's FB but you can see them w/o joining)

HB update: http://www.facebook.com/IndianaMomsAgainstGunControl/posts/1238033499621876

SB Update: http://www.facebook.com/IndianaMomsAgainstGunControl/posts/1238574606234432