Dear Editor,
I was excited to see progress on a national reciprocity law this past December when the U.S. House passed H.R. 38. Should this bill become law, it will have no impact on who can and cannot carry a loaded handgun in Indiana because Indiana already recognizes the license to carry permits issued by all other states (IC 35-47-2-21).
Concealed Carry Reciprocity should become law, just as all states already have reciprocity with the privilege to drive a vehicle.
This law does not change any federal laws or requirements on a proper person eligible to possess or receive a firearm. This law does not change the places where a firearm can or cannot be carried in our state. This law does not eliminate the background check system when purchasing firearms.
This law would simply require all states to recognize Indiana’s license to carry a firearm just as Indiana already recognizes all other states.
This law would however help increase the safety of our police, first responders, children and citizens because it works to improve reporting of mental health and criminal history records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). It further works to establish a domestic abuse and violence prevention initiative and requires better reporting of felony convictions and domestic violence records.
These more accurate and up to date records will help with everyone’s safety.
I have contacted Senator Young and Senator Donnelly and urged them to vote for and promote the passage of this bill. It will not force our state to do anything we are not already doing but it will help improve the national background check system and allow fellow Hoosiers to travel the country with the freedoms we recognize here in our great state.
Respectfully,
Jeremy Hunt
Cicero
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