Letter: Permitless carry law endangers police officers
For all the GOP messaging supporting the police, Indiana’s new permitless carry law is the single biggest threat to safe policing that Indiana has passed.
To quote constitutional rights attorney Guy Relford, “The idea is if I already have a constitutional right, why do I have to go beg the government for permission to exercise that right?”
Regardless, law enforcement across the country testified against similar bills last year, explaining it poses a safety risk to both citizens and officers. In Indiana, both the Indiana State Police Superintendent and the IMPD Assistant Chief vocally opposed the law.
Relford continued, “It doesn’t affect who can lawfully possess a gun. If you’re a criminal or a felon or (committing a) domestic (violence) matter, you couldn’t possess a gun before constitutional carry. (So) you can’t possess a gun with constitutional carry.”
Of course, being able to ask for permits allows for quicker confiscation of illegal firearms.
IMPD Assistant Chief Chris Bailey said to Fox59, “It’s going to embolden those that are already illegally possessing weapons to walk around freely with them, knowing that law enforcement has limited opportunities to engage them, especially if they’re not involved in any other criminal activity”
Until July 1st, police may stop an armed person on the street and ask for a carry permit; especially if they are called about it. However, in a future where permits are no longer needed a simple stop will never happen or could become a prolonged detaining while officers determine lawfulness; possibly violating other rights.
Marion and Lake Counties Prosecutor’s office has gone on the record previously urging the governor to veto the bill. Of course, that time has passed, but it would be interesting to hear our prosecutor candidates’ positions. Especially in light of the Republican candidate previously being the Democratic prosecutor.
Of course, none of these laws apply to the Indiana State House, where we will still be checked for weapons before entry. Is that because they believe their lives matter more than ours?
https://fox59.com/news/politics/top-impd-commander-calls-for-governor-veto-of-permit-less-carry-law/
http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2022/bills/house/1296#digest-heading
*This was written before the events of the past few weeks. Now we literally have some in the GOP asking to defund the FBI.
Matt Johnson Democrat for Dubois County council District 1.
Co-authored by Jeff Hill Democrat for Indiana State Senator District 48
It has been 59 days. Where is the blood in the streets? The anarchy? The screaming? Assault weapons on every corner? Where are they?
https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/2022/08/27/fans-flee-indiana-wiz-khalifa-concert-amid-disturbance-shooting/65459694007/
https://fox59.com/news/indycrime/dutch-soldier-dies-from-downtown-indianapolis-shooting/
this is very common in the indy area, are you just now finding this out?
“It’s going to embolden those that are already illegally possessing weapons to walk around freely with them, knowing that law enforcement has limited opportunities to engage them, especially if they’re not involved in any other criminal activity”.
So officers should be allowed to engage people that aren’t involved in any criminal activity? That doesn’t sound right… at all. Since when is an officer allowed to simply go up to anyone and “engage” them based on no premise at all?
Our cities have had record homicide rates and shootings long before this went into effect.
There is no data to show what you are saying is true. In fact , most police officers support constitutional carry. Plus, quit pretending that you care about police . You are a member of the party that have attacked state and local police for years , wants to defund them, and says that they target and kill minority males. Let’s not forget the cashless bail that you all support , allowing dangerous criminals right back out on the street where police have to deal with them again. You can’t be a democrat and support police or love the USA. Your party has declared war on our country and on law and order .
Nice projection. We heard daily from 2016 to 2020 how conservatives wanted to eliminate the “others” and that rhetoric has only escalated since then. Don’t pretend like you all didn’t start this.
The author quite literally linked to an article titled “Top IMPD commander calls for governor veto of permitless carry law” and the issues Assistant Chief Chris Bailey had.
Jan 6th… Enough said.
But Russia. And Hunter’s laptop. Crippling inflation. Afghanistan. And the weaponization of the Justice Department. All to hold a bunch of mostly peaceful protesters without trial. Yes. A sad time for America.