RESTORATION OF LIMITING POWERS
OF THE INDIANA CONSTITUTION
HB 1143 HB 1144
By Phyllis Klosinski, Brown County, IN
In 2011 Indiana residents were presented with a baby step in the measured restoration of Section 32 of the Indiana Constitution: “The people shall have a right to bear arms, for the defense of themselves and the State.” That baby step; Senate Bill 0506 allowing a person to carry a handgun on or about the person’s body generated strong support from individuals despite its limitations, some of which have since been improved.
But for those with a belief in Constitutional limitations on authority I am eager to share proposed bills which should get you up and on your feet; making your voice heard. The inalienable Right to self-protection is in for a real battle this year. I present for your consideration the work of Representative Jim Lucas District 69.
HB 1143: “ Synopsis: Possession of firearms on state property. Prohibits a state agency, including a state supported college or university, from regulating the possession or transportation of firearms, ammunition, or firearm accessories: (1) on land that is; or (2) in buildings and other structures that are; owned or leased by the state. Provides for certain exceptions. Voids, as of July 1, 2015, any rules or policies enacted or undertaken by a state agency before, on, or after June 30, 2015, concerning possession or transportation of firearms, ammunition, or firearm accessories on land or in structures owned or leased by the state. Allows a person to bring an action against a state agency if the person is adversely affected by a rule, a measure, an enactment, or a policy of the state agency that violates this law.”
Go back and read that again, grab a highlighter and make your mark. Does this proposed bill really say what it appears, that state property, including a state supported college or university, will no longer be gun free zones? Yes, it does.
However, you will also notice that pesky, old-government, doublespeak phrase “Provides for certain exceptions.” Now, in reading the Citations affected (and there are many), that catch-all phrase has a way of grating on my weary old nerves. Why? Because from experience I can tell you what the “law” says is often only what the government determines rather than as it is stated in the actual law.
Are frustrations over the loss of accountability for unauthorized “laws” violating the terms of Section 32 finally being reversed?
Why have we, the masters of our government, become so willing to grant exceptions?
Why has it become necessary to repeal “laws” which have arbitrarily taken from us in violation of Section 25? (Section 25: “No law shall be passed the taking effect of which shall be made to depend upon any authority, except as provided in this Constitution.”)
Now Representative Lucas provides the ultimate hammer in the machinery, HB 1144 – repealing handgun licensing which would repeal many pages of gun laws as well as the income derived from the cost of the mandatory permits.
HB 1144: “Synopsis: Handgun license repeal. Repeals the law that requires a person to obtain a license to carry a handgun in Indiana; makes conforming amendments.”
Is the state government finally recognizing there are no qualifications, nor any exceptions under Section 32, and that individuals have no obligation to prove they are worthy of exercising their Individual Sovereign Right to defense?
Do you believe every individual has the inalienable Right of self-defense and understand that government has manipulated and derived “Laws” in violation of the explicit terms of Section 25 and Section 32 of the Indiana State Constitution?
If you ever want to try to make a difference now is that time. In just a few minutes you can contact your General Assembly Members and Representative Lucas to express your support. Without individuals this legislation to move Indiana into compliance with the explicit terms of the Constitution will fail. If not now when? If not this Right which one?
Reference documents
HOUSE BILL No. 1143
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL
Citations Affected: IC 35-31.5-2; IC 35-47.
Synopsis: Possession of firearms on state property. Prohibits a state
agency, including a state supported college or university, from
regulating the possession or transportation of firearms, ammunition, or
firearm accessories: (1) on land that is; or (2) in buildings and other
structures that are; owned or leased by the state. Provides for certain
exceptions. Voids, as of July 1, 2015, any rules or policies enacted or
undertaken by a state agency before, on, or after June 30, 2015,
concerning possession or transportation of firearms, ammunition, or
firearm accessories on land or in structures owned or leased by the
state. Allows a person to bring an action against a state agency if the
person is adversely affected by a rule, a measure, an enactment, or a
policy of the state agency that violates this law.
HOUSE BILL No. 1144
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL
Citations Affected: IC 5-2-1-9; IC 5-2-8-2; IC 10-13-3-40;
IC 11-9-2-4; IC 11-13-1-3.5; IC 14-16-1-23; IC 21-17-5-6;
IC 21-39-4-7; IC 31-30-1-4; IC 35-33-1-1; IC 35-47; IC 35-50-2-13.
Synopsis: Handgun license repeal. Repeals the law that requires a
person to obtain a license to carry a handgun in Indiana. Makes
conforming amendments.
