As quick as this is coming up, it deserves its own thread. Unfortunately I'm out of town on the 5th.To quote the late Keith Jackson, "WHOA NELLIE!!"
HB 1077, Firearms Matters, pretty much is SB 14 except for:
SECTION 12. IC 35-47-2-3, AS AMENDED BY P.L.165-2021, 26 SECTION 196, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2022]: Sec. 3. (a) A person desiring a license to carry who is at least eighteen (18) years of age and is not otherwise prohibited from carrying or possessing a handgun shall apply: under state or federal law is not required to obtain or possess a license or permit from the state to carry a handgun in Indiana.
A resident of this state who wishes to carry a firearm in another state under a reciprocity agreement entered into by this state and another state may obtain a license to carry a handgun in Indiana under this chapter
Happy to glad change on what the Reciprocity License is called ("Optional License" under SB 14, formerly called a Reciprocity License in HB 1369 last year.)
Eliminates the "under 21 requirement for a LTCH" in SB 14.
I think this is the bill that may come out of conference committee and have the "21 and over" requirement in SB 14. Likewise SB 14 could come out of conference committee and drop the under 21/LTCH required for carry part.
This is happening fast. It is up for hearing on 5 January. It is the only bill currently up for hearing in the Public Policy Committee on that day.
Last year when HB 1369 came up for hearing, we were in the room for 4 HOURS! The Pro-2A contingent outnumbered the antis for the first time EVER! We won the battle (HB 1369 passed the House 65-31) but weren't allowed to win the war last year.
Chairman Smaltz knows this will be a long hearing once again and has set it up for a lot of testimony. He will not have the gavel since it's his bill. Vice Chair Peggy Mayfield (who ran the hearing for HB 1369) will have the gavel. She called witnesses anti/pro/anti/pro last year, I look for that again.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is time to bring the heat once again.