OK. So who do we hound again in particular? Our rep? The author? Bosma?
You have some excellent intel, Bill. The General Assembly site isn't showing the reading under Bill Actions yet. 1330 Monday? I can be there!HB1071 is on the calendar for 2nd reading for Monday, 2/20, convening at 1330 hrs!!!
Mr. Bosma is the main one holding this up. You don't have to like it, but it is true.I meant to add - I am swamped - so I'm out - might listen/watch on line. I've already contacted my rep and soon to be rep about this.
(soon to be is one Mr. Bosma ... ) ...
I do not think there is any testimony by citizens at this, as it is before the full house.
Mr. Bosma is the main one holding this up. You don't have to like it, but it is true.
The information a few of us obtained from a reliable but to-remain-anonymous source indicates otherwise. I cannot disseminate that information at this time and in no event will I do so on the open board.
For the information of all: the Second (and Third, for that matter) Reading is done in the House session, and is not open to public testimony. The next time we can have a direct say, on the record, is in the Senate committee, when 1071 gets there.
That's not to say you can't go to watch the session, just that you won't be speaking on the bill. You MIGHT have a chance to speak with your own rep, though, before it's heard.
Blessings,
Bill
IGA – Firearms Legislation Update – 2017 – Feb 18
Well it’s been a busy IGA session, but only moderate progress has been made on pro-firearm-owners’ rights and legislation. The biggest and most important bill at the moment is HB 1071 which comes forward from the Public Policy Committee for its 2nd reading in the full House on Monday (02.20) afternoon. This means calling and sending e-mails is critical at this time. I have a sample letter that I wrote to my representative, and summary of HB1017 below.
First – several small steps were taken and there are a few more days of committee activity this week to move bills forward. Bills that have passed their initial chamber and/or committee and are continuing to advance are:
HB 1095 (Plastic Coated Ammunition) referred to Senate;
HB 1250 (Handgun Licenses and Law Enforcement Officers) passed 2nd reading;
SB 13 (Use of Firearms to Secure Loans) referred to House;
SB 191** (Disposal of Firearms) referred to House;
SB 344 (Possession of a firearm by an illegal alien) passed committee; 2nd reading;
SB 43 passed 2nd reading.
These are very good pro-2A bills that work to correct errors, inaccuracies or omissions from the Indiana Code (IC). None of the (few, fortunately) anti-rights bills have been permitted to waste the valuable and limited time of the committees; though several other stronger and more desirable pro-rights proposals have also languished in committee. (Some of these have for the 3rd or 4th year in a row). And no, I do no realistically expect all of you to agree with all of the choices. But we have seen slow baby steps of improvement and we generally support this; while advocating for full protection and restoration of our natural rights under the law. This brings us back to HB 1071.
I testified a few weeks ago on behalf of passing HB 1071. My points noted and pushed for a hearing of HB 1159 (which is this year’s constitutional “permit-less” carry legislation). This legislation (HB 1071) is being poorly and falsely portrayed by the media and those against it. It grants use of a Court Issued Protective Order as a TEMPORARY exemption (i.e. a temporary LTCH) so that one can carry a handgun outside of their home. The provision has a time limit of 60 days with another 60 if the process for obtaining the LTCH is started within the first 60 days; and that this only applies to a “proper person” who is eligible to receive a LTCH.
The proposal does NOT change any laws with possession of a firearm in your home or on personal property or at your business. It does NOT change any aspects of the legal acquisition of a firearm. It does not force or mandate anyone to possess a firearm. It only provides a more accessible means for a person (generally, women) to protect themselves outside of their homes, IF they so choose.
Through a committee amendment the language of HB 1159 was incorporated to this with a requirement for a summer study, which keeps this language moving forward. No, this is NOT the solution that we would desire from the legislature. But from many discussions I have had, Constitutional Carry has a perception problem. It is largely misunderstood, and misrepresented, by the majority of the general population. This option keeps the language and the discussion at the proverbial “Top of the Pile” and keeps open the option for senate and conference amendments.
We need to get outside our ‘bubble’ of safety (yes, even advocates like our staff) and present the facts on this (which I will do later). For the moment the STRONGEST thing we can do – is write and call the representatives at the State House and Support HB 1071 – as Amended; stating our full support for this and for Constitutional Carry.
Here’s a link for “How to find Your Legislator”: Find your Legislator - Indiana General Assembly, 2017 Session
Here’s a link to HB 1071: House Bill 1071 - Authorization to carry a handgun - Indiana General Assembly, 2017 Session
And below is a Sample Letter on HB 1071 - Remember – Firm but polite arguments based on facts are best.
Thank you – Please – LIKE and COMMENT – and SHARE and DISUCSS with others!!!
BB3
Dear Representative ____,
I am writing to urge your fullest support of HB 1071, as amended and passed by the House Public Policy Committee. This is an excellent step towards resolving a constitutional conflict with the existing Indiana Codes (IC).
HB 1071 give a person with who has obtained a Protective Order, from the court system, the option to carry a handgun for a temporary period, while they go through the process of obtaining an Indiana License to Carry a Handgun (LTCH). This is conditional, in that they must be "proper person" and are not prohibited from the possession of firearms. The law does not affect the legality of having a firearm in the home for their self-protection. The law does not affect their ability to purchase a firearm legally. It only acts as a temporary LTCH until they can obtain one.
It is well documented that the Supreme Court (US) has ruled, correctly, that the police are not obligated to protect any given individual. While the police are valiant and the majority take the motto “To serve and protect” greatly to heart, they simply do have the powers of clairvoyance to make it a legal requirement or responsibility. The police protect the public welfare in general, but each of us is responsible for our own protection; and that of those around us to our own abilities.
As such, this bill provides a means for a person who is has been threatened sufficiently that the court has issued a protective order for them to have access and carry the most effective modern tool for self-protection: a handgun.
Additionally, the bill provides for a summer study to remove the conflict between the state constitution, in article 1, section 32, and IC 35-47-2. The first protects or guarantees a law abiding citizen the right to bear arms "for defense of themselves and the state"; the latter make bearing a handgun a crime, unless you have paid a "tax" in the form of the LTCH fees. While I would prefer to see this corrected immediately; a summer study of this issue is a positive step forward, which I fully support.
HB-1071 is a good bill, a positive step as we deal with the reality of such situations and empower people. It provides a legal protection for someone seeking physical protection and allows them time to come into compliance with (arguably unconstitutional) sections of IC 35-47-2. Please support this legislation.
In Liberty,
YOUR NAME
Affiliations
So, what will they actually be studying this summer?
What is an individual right?
For some this does need explained. *
Why shall an individual right not be infringed?
For some this does need explained. *
How to repeal an infringement of an individual right?
I hope this is understood by all there. but perhaps needs explaining.
Or, will it just be further study and polling of the general popularity of letting this infringement remain in place with no action?
Yes - further discussion and opportunity to clarify what this means, does, and the consequences - and NO, hopefully not without action.
Do our legislators and those lobbying against repeal of the LTCH requirement really prefer that everyone carry rifles in public to handguns?
Those against - probably - like Mr. Representative Charlie Brown (cue coasters song from 1950's - chorus part) ... probably prefer a disarmed public ...
but what do I know.
Are they so dense that they need to be shown this summer?
Yes - many of them - and since public opinion and understanding of the legislation is so far off (out side of the bubble of INGO) ... so do "WE"
That would certainly make for a more interesting study, a study of unintended consequences.
Why do we NOT want to keep pushing the issue this summer, at the least?
I had an interesting question come my way from my son last night. How will Constitutional Carry affect other laws that are broken? If you don't use a handgun in the crime, but you have it in your possession and are not a prohibited person? Will other laws change or are current laws still applicable?
It won't. Why would it? What other laws was he referencing?
Robbery will still be Robbery. Rape will be Rape. Burglary will be Burglary.
I dunno Kirk, out of the three of us (me and my 2 sons) there's an MBA, a pre-Pharm major and a Computer Engineering major. No lawyers were in the car. I think it was from a standpoint of robbery vice armed robbery and the chance of pile-on charges (maintaining a common nuisance anyone?) even though possessing a firearms had anything to do with a crime.It won't. Why would it? What other laws was he referencing?
Robbery will still be Robbery. Rape will be Rape. Burglary will be Burglary.
IC 35-42-5-1 Robbery
Sec. 1. A person who knowingly or intentionally takes property
from another person or from the presence of another person:
(1) by using or threatening the use of force on any person; or
(2) by putting any person in fear;
commits robbery, a Level 5 felony. However, the offense is a Level
3 felony if it is committed while armed with a deadly weapon or
results in bodily injury to any person other than a defendant, and a
Level 2 felony if it results in serious bodily injury to any person
other than a defendant.
I will be there. Although the only time I ever get the police called on me is when I'm with the Bhausen brothers...Any INGOers attending the session today? I (along with tbhausen) will be there and would like to put faces with names (unless we've met on an overpass already).