Right Wing Nation

The following Indiana Senate bills are all likely to pass, thank God:

SB 29. Prohibits a local unit of government from imposing a minimum lot size on which a shooting range may be located. Prohibits a local unit of government from regulating the lawful discharge of a firearm, except for: (1) the discharge of a firearm on land, in a building, or on other real property owned or administered by a unit, including a highway or a public highway; or (2) using the unit’s planning and zoning powers to regulate the discharge of a firearm within 200 feet of a school.

SB 65. Provides that a person who possesses a valid Indiana license to carry a handgun may not be prohibited from possessing a handgun on land or in buildings and other structures owned or leased by: (1) the state or a political subdivision of the state; or (2) a nonpublic elementary school, nonpublic secondary school, or nonpublic postsecondary educational institution. Provides exceptions for airports and penal facilities.

And nearly identical (and already out of committee, so it’s likely to come up for a vote soon):

SB 356. Provides that a person who possesses a valid Indiana license to carry a handgun may not be prohibited from possessing a handgun: (1) on land that is; or (2) in buildings and other structures that are; owned or leased by the state or a political subdivision of the state. Provides exceptions for airports, county courthouses (including a building connected to a county courthouse), and penal facilities. Permits a court to adopt a court rule authorizing persons licensed to carry a handgun to carry a handgun in a county courthouse.

Also nearly identical, but just so colleges and universities understand that the law applies to them:

SB 158. Specifically disallows universities from forbidding carry by IN LTC holders, but unlike SB 65, does not discuss other buildings (and I think it excludes private universities, not sure) This bill’s summary is not yet online at the official site.

And I’m a little confused about this one. Didn’t this already pass last year?

SB 66. Prohibits a person from adopting or enforcing a policy or rule that prohibits or has the effect of prohibiting an individual from legally possessing a firearm that is locked in the individual’s vehicle while the vehicle is in or on the person’s property. Excepts possession of a firearm: (1) on school property or a school bus; (2) on certain child care and shelter facility property; (3) on penal facility property; and (4) in violation of federal law. Provides that a person who, in compliance with the prohibition, does not adopt or enforce such a policy or rule is not liable for resulting injury or damage. Authorizes a civil action for damages, costs, attorney’s fees, and injunctive relief to remedy a violation.

Here’s another one. Didn’t this pass last year?

SB 1043. Prohibits the state, a political subdivision, or any other person from prohibiting or restricting the lawful possession, transfer, sale, transportation, storage, display, or use of firearms or ammunition during a declared disaster emergency, energy emergency, or local disaster emergency. Repeals provisions that allow certain political subdivisions to adopt emergency ordinances to regulate firearms if a local disaster emergency has been declared.

If even one of these bills was in the Pennsylvania legislature, Fast Eddie would be huffing and puffing and beating on the podium. Fortunately for Hoosiers, Mitch Daniels is not Ed Rendell.