Four statewide elected officials in Indiana, including the attorney general and secretary of state, have been given the green light to carry handguns in the state Capitol. This decision comes as lawmakers revived and passed a bill that now awaits Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb’s approval.
The bill, which was added to another piece of legislation in the session’s final days, would allow these officials to carry handguns without the requirement of a valid Indiana license. While members of the General Assembly and their staff already have this right, the new measure extends it to the statewide elected officials.
However, the latest version of the bill does not include extending this right to the staff members of the elected officials, as originally proposed. Governor Holcomb’s office has not yet commented on whether he supports the measure.
The final compromise would permit the state attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, and comptroller to carry a handgun, provided they are not otherwise prohibited by state or federal law. This addition was made to House Bill 1084, which also aims to prevent governmental entities from keeping a list or record of privately owned firearms or their owners.
The measure passed its final action in the state Senate with a 39-9 vote, with the Democratic caucus in opposition. Democratic Senate minority leader Greg Taylor expressed his concerns about the repeal of the license requirement for members of the General Assembly and their staff to carry on Capitol grounds, stating that there used to be a clear understanding of regulations on who can carry at the Capitol.
Indiana State Treasurer Daniel Elliott, who testified in favor of the measure, emphasized the importance of upholding the 2nd Amendment rights of Hoosiers. He expressed hope that the conversation could continue next year to include the staff of statewide officers in this provision.
With metal detectors in place at public entrances on Capitol grounds, the debate over carrying handguns in statehouses continues. Indiana joins 21 other states where some form of gun-carrying is allowed in statehouses, according to a 2021 review by The Associated Press. In 2022, Indiana repealed a state law requiring a permit to carry a handgun in public.
As the discussion on gun rights and safety in government buildings evolves, the decision to allow statewide elected officials to carry handguns in the Indiana State Capitol raises questions and sparks debate among lawmakers and the public alike.
