In a 65-31 vote in the Indiana House, Bill 1369 passed meaning Indiana’s citizens will be able to carry concealed without the need for a license if the bill passes through the Senate. This is just on the heels of Montana becoming the most recent state to pass constitutional carry laws within its borders. However, the passing of this bill has led to some controversy with some saying that it won’t make residents any safer.

Photo: https://www.tsc.k12.in.us/

Indiana House Votes to Eliminate License to Carry by March 2022

While the passing of the bill means law-abiding citizens can carry without a license, the bill clearly specifies that there are still certain persons who won’t be legally allowed to carry under the new provisions.

Firearms matters. Effective March 30, 2022: (1) Repeals the law that requires a person to obtain a license to carry a handgun in Indiana; (2) Specifies that certain persons who are not otherwise prohibited from carrying or possessing a handgun are not required to obtain or possess a license or permit from the state to carry a handgun in Indiana;

Opponents of the bill have stated that this will cause problems for law enforcement individuals who will not have any quick way of identifying if a person is legal to carry or not. Law enforcement officers have both supported and opposed this legislation with Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter saying that the bill “shifts the burden from those carrying the firearms to officers.”

Photo: Indiana State Police Facebook

Opponents also say that the elimination of requiring a license to carry will take away funds that are used for local law enforcement training and it is estimated that police departments will lose an estimated $5.3 million for the year 2023 if the bill is passed into law. For now, it seems that the bill is well on its way to passing into law meaning Indiana’s citizens may only need to obtain a license to carry if they plan on carrying in other states who hold reciprocity with Indiana.