Should gun owners in Indiana be required to have a license to carry? It’s a controversial topic that brings a lot of heated debate.

Monday, state lawmakers discussed getting rid of the requirement. Statehouse reporter, David Williams, learned changes could be on the way.

While those changes won’t impact the more than 815,000 people in Indiana who  already have a license to carry a handgun, it would affect  those trying to get a permit.

Lawmakers and the public packed the House Chambers Monday to talk gun laws and how you get a gun permit.

By a vote of 15 to 5–a summer committee approved a report months in the making.
Senator Rodrick Bray of Indiana’s District 37 said “Essentially, the report kind of strikes a middle ground that says we, to the extent that’s possible, should get rid of some of those hurdles and make it a little easier for people to exercise their second amendment right.”

State Senator Rodrick Bray said lawmakers heard previous testimony about licensing fees and fingerprint frustrations.

Bray explained  “There’s only 65 places in the state of Indiana that’ll take electronic fingerprints. So, it’s a little bit inconvenient if you live in a rural county.”

Representative Vanessa Summers of Indiana’s 99th District is one of the lawmakers who voted against the report’s approval.

“We wasted our time.” Rep. Vanessa Summers (D) District 99  said “I think we should have a defined line. I believe that in our city and state we need to have licensing for guns.”

Monday’s  meeting brought about a dozen people from  Moms Demand Action; a gun violence prevention advocacy group. Rachel Guglielmo with Moms Demand Action said  “We were really pleased he committee did not recommend the repeal of our permitting system.”

We stopped by Indy Arms Co to see what they think about the committee’s recommendations.
Mark Welter, a Reatail Manager at Indy Arms Co said “Anything we can do to eliminate any obstacles for law abiding citizens to be able to carry a gun to defend themselves, I’m all for it.”

It’s important to note Monday’s committee action is non-binding. Senator  Bray stresses this debate is not over. He says there will be bills filed in January and there’s still more debating to do, to find out what the best course is.