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Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Ind. Gov't. - "Guns in state parks rule gets first public hearing"
In September the Indiana DNR chief adopted an "emergency" rule lifting the ban on handguns in state parks. For background see this ILB entry from Sept. 23rd, and this ILB opinion piece from Sept. 29th questioning "why it was felt necessary in the case of the new rule allowing handguns in state parks to treat this rule change as an 'emergency', thus circumventing the entire public rulemaking process."
Today, Patrick Guinane of the Northwest Indiana Times reports that "Guns in state parks rule gets first public hearing: Panel to review temporary rules signed in September." Keep in mind when reading his story that the "emergency" rule is already in effect simply by virtue of DNR Commissioner Kyle Hupfer's signature and can remain in effect for up to year with no further action:
INDIANAPOLIS | The right to pack heat in state parks gets its first public review this morning.Indiana Natural Resources Commissioner Kyle Hupfer signed temporary rules in September that lifted a long-standing ban on concealed weapons at state parks and wildlife areas. Today, Hupfer will ask and administrative panel to uphold the rule change, a first step toward making the policy permanent.
"We did get quite a bit of e-mail, but it's pretty much 50-50 (for and against)," said state Department of Natural Resources spokeswoman Kim Brant.
If the Indiana Natural Resources Commission grants preliminary approval today, a public hearing on the handgun rules would be scheduled sometime in the coming months. * * *
The Natural Resources Commission meets at 10 a.m. Eastern Time at Fort Benjamin Harrison -- The Garrison -- 6002 N. Post Road, in Indianapolis.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on November 15, 2006 07:51 AM
Posted to Environment | Indiana Government | Indiana Law