Evansville, IN (GSL) - On March 21, the gun owners of Indiana are scheduled to receive a long awaited "Christmas in March" when the Governor signs the nation's first lifetime concealed weapons permit into law.

In addition to lifetime concealed weapon permits, this comprehensive improvement in law provides for Indiana to adopt the "castle doctrine" -- you don't have to retreat from somewhere you have a right to be before defending yourself from violent attack.  It also gets the Indiana State Police out of the business of approving gun purchases, adopting the NICS check as the only one necessary.  Additionally, for those who do not choose to pay the higher fee to get lifetime CCW permits, it allows renewals to start 180 days before expiration, so that gun owners don't get caught short by bureaucratic delays.

All this is a result of efforts of the Second Amendment Patriots firearm-rights group (http://www.2ndamendmentpatriots.org/) an organization similar to but smaller than Guns Save Life.  The Patriots worked closely with state senator Johnny Nugent and state representative Troy Woodruff, both long time friends of gun owners. [Senator Nugent is also running for NRA Board of Directors and deserves the support of one and all.]

Recently Indiana concealed weapons licensees were faced with an Illinois-style slowdown when they went to renew their permits.  Under the old law, the application must be completed in person at the county sheriffs office and could not begin before 30 days from expiration.  While sheriff's departments seem to be able to do a background check for a criminal in about 10 minutes, it sometimes took more than 30 days to forward the paperwork with the background check to the state police for processing.

Now people should no longer risk expiration when renewing.  They also have the choice of going ' lifetime' when they renew; they can get a 4-year permit for $25 or a lifetime one for $125.  If they already have a permit they can 'go lifetime' for $100.

The law will also allow FFLs to only do a NICS check when doing a firearm sale.  Previously both a NICS check and state police check was required for a sale.

The Second Amendment Patriots quickly responded some years ago, when the Indiana State Police announced that they would no longer do checks on weekends, thus effectively ending gun shows in the state.  The state police reversed their policy before it could even go into effect when the Patriots went into action and flooded Indianapolis with phone calls.

This is the second legislative victory for the Patriots.  Their first victory was in getting Indiana conservation law changed to allow CCW holders to carry while riding a 4-wheeler.



Indiana News Links

Calling citizens to arms 12/6/06

IN - Daniels supports handguns in parks rule change
9/22/06


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