STATEHOUSE (Feb. 23, 2010) - Indiana Senate lawmakers on Monday overwhelmingly passed legislation aimed at protecting the rights of Hoosier gun owners at work and during disaster emergencies, said State Sen. Johnny Nugent (R-Lawrenceburg).

By a 41-9 vote, senators approved House Bill 1065.

Nugent, sponsor of the bill, said the measure would prohibit businesses from enacting policies that prevent licensed gun owners from keeping legal firearms in their locked vehicles. However, the bill does make exceptions in the case of school property, child care and shelter facilities, correctional institutions and private homes.

“As a business and gun owner, I understand both sides of the arguments,” Nugent said. “However, there are certain inalienable rights citizens have that neither businesses nor government should encroach upon.”

Motivation for HB 1065 came after several workers in rural Oklahoma were fired after storing firearms in their locked vehicles during the first day of hunting season. Nugent said the employees brought their guns to work to participate in hunting and sporting activities later that day.

“This bill aims to prevent what occurred in Oklahoma from happening to hard-working workers in Indiana,” Nugent said.  “Workers would have to follow strict guidelines, however. Employees would have to store their firearms out of sight in consoles, glove boxes or trunks of locked vehicles.”

Indiana would join 12 other states that allow employees to keep a legal firearm in locked vehicles at work.

Nugent said HB 1065 would also repeal a provision prohibiting members of the public from carrying firearms during a state of emergency in an effort to prevent the events that unfolded after Hurricane Katrina. The New Orleans Police Chief declared a state of emergency following the hurricane which only allowed law enforcement officials to carry a handgun.  Police officers, already spread thin, were unable to protect stores and homes from being looted, Nugent said.

“Had this law not been in place, citizens may have been able protect their valuables and deter criminals from vandalizing and stealing their property,” Nugent said. “Indiana would join Michigan, Kentucky and 24 other states with similar legislation.”

Senate Bill 25, the companion bill to HB 1065, is also authored by Nugent. 

HB 1065 now moves back to the House for further consideration.
 
Sen. Nugent represents Senate District 43, which includes Dearborn, Ohio, Ripley, and Union Counties, as well as portions of Franklin and Jennings Counties.