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Friday, July 01, 2011

Ind. Law - "New gun law is prime example of bad legislation"

Matt Tully writes today in his Indianapolis Star column:

Every July 1, a host of new state laws take effect. Essentially, that means that every July 1, a number of really stupid laws take effect.

Take, for instance, Senate Enrolled Act 292.

This new law has been eerily and accurately titled: "Preemption of local firearm regulation." This unnecessary law, pushed by Republicans but endorsed by many Democrats, tells cities and towns across the state that the General Assembly and the National Rifle Association know what is best for them. It also tells the state's urban centers that they must adhere to the wishes of lawmakers who in most cases don't live in those cities.

So, the legislature has decided that if Indianapolis wants to prohibit the carrying of firearms in its city parks, well, that's just too bad. If other municipalities want to prohibit licensed gun owners from bringing their weapons to city and town council meetings, well, that, too, is too bad. And, please, don't even try to tell people they can't bring a gun to a city-owned amphitheater in New Albany or a street department facility anywhere else. * * *

The law is just another reminder of the legislature's perpetual inability to focus squarely and exclusively on the issues that truly matter to Hoosiers -- the economy and education, for instance. This year, lawmakers insisted on distracting themselves with a host of divisive political issues. As such, federal health-care funding is now being threatened because of an overreaching anti-abortion law, courts are slamming a poorly written immigration law, and cities such as Indianapolis are watching very sensible local ordinances disappear.

It's too bad legislative Republicans and Gov. Mitch Daniels couldn't have called a -- hmm, what should I call it? -- oh, let's say a truce, on social issues.

ILB: Nicely written! My quibble with Mr. Tully (who I admire) is, where was he during the session when this "prime example of bad legislation" was under consideration?

Here are some earlier ILB entries, quoting various stories about SB 292, selected from a much larger list of stories, columns and editorials filed by other writers:

I had not planned to comment on today's column, until I saw this tweet a few minutes ago:
matthewltully Matthew Tully
Aww, shucks. “@morinap: Indy Star's @matthewltully nails it today on Indiana's new laws
Sometimes "better late than never" is really just late.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on July 1, 2011 12:53 PM
Posted to Indiana Law