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Monday, July 03, 2006

Ind. Law - New lifetime gun permit law featured

The Lafayette Journal and Courier focuses today on Indiana's new lifetime gun permit law, in a story by Sophia Voravong. Some quotes:

A new state law that allows Hoosiers to seek a lifetime permit to carry a handgun -- rather than reapplying every four years -- could mean more work for local law enforcement to ensure that future criminals don't slip through the cracks.

But the legislation, which took effect Saturday, is being touted as a time-saver for Indiana citizens who can now choose between the two options.

"It's going to be a lot faster with a more complete, thorough check," said Dick Fidler, who owns Lafayette's Flat Creek Range, a shooting range and gun retailer. "It's good, it's convenient. But I think they also need to monitor and see 'What's going on with this person?' Maybe run checks at random to make sure nothing comes up."

House Bill 1176, approved in a 78-21 vote by the Indiana General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Mitch Daniels earlier this year, also includes plans for a Web-based application process. Language in Senate Bill 54 also awards lifetime permits. [See Note below.]

Deputy chief John Dennis of the Lafayette Police Department said circumstances that would cause a handgun permit to be revoked include convictions for felonies or domestic battery, or mental health issues.

This places more responsibility on his officers to check whether a person they arrest or encounter in such instances is licensed to carry, he said. Checks can be done from an officer's squad car. * * *

In any given week, as few as none or as many as 10 people apply for a permit to carry a handgun through the Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Department.

During the process, a local investigation, which includes fingerprints, is done; information and a recommendation is then sent to the Indiana State Police. A second background check is done at that state level before a licensed is issued.

The same steps were followed for renewal applications, whether or not a license had expired, said Gloria Andrews, the sheriff's department's firearms clerk.

"With the four-year ones, backgrounds were ran every time they renewed. One thing I wonder is, how are they going to check people for backgrounds?" she said.

Sheriff's Maj. Tracy Brown sought that answer this past week from the state police. He said when prosecutors enter information for a person convicted of any crime that could result in the loss of a license, his or her name and other identifiers will be cross-checked with a firearms database.

A hearing will then be held to determine whether the person's license should be revoked, he said.

Andrews said she received few applications in the weeks leading to July 1, possibly because people were waiting for the new law to take effect.

She still expects some will apply for four-year permits, such as older residents or Purdue University students who plan to move from the area.

"For a lot of people, they're glad for the fact that they don't have to come in every four years," Andrews said. "That'll be wonderful. It's the convenience of doing it at once." * * *

House Bill 1176 also means significant changes for gun retailers. Now, checks will be done through the National Instant Background Check System maintained by the FBI rather than state police.

But it also means dealers will have to forward a copy of the firearms transaction form -- which includes a person's Social Security number, date of birth, place of birth and other personal information -- in the mail to state police. Before, checks could be done over the telephone.

Note: SB 54 never became law, so this mention is somewhat confusing.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on July 3, 2006 07:21 AM
Posted to Indiana Law