Hoosiers Concerned About Gun Violence

I am so happy, I found an Indiana-based anti-gun group that actually has a website, instead of just some crazies handing out fliers outside a gun show.

I’m not that happy though, because unlike the CeaseFire groups or AHSA, they don’t appear to have updated their web page since December of last year, which is too bad.  Really, they appear to be rather light on substance as their home page only has three Indiana specific “facts” and everything else is just parroting the Brady Campaign’s line.

But, it’s been a kind of slow couple of weeks, and I’m feeling like handing out a good fisking.

Did you know that, in Indiana,  there is no limit to the number of guns that an individual can purchase?

Did you know that in most states, this is true as well?  The best part about this “fact” is that it’s true, but it’s so broad that I can’t even tell what they’re hysterical about.  Are they worried about people stockpiling guns?  Are they worried about people buying a lot of guns and selling them on the black market?  Who knows?  It’s so broad that it becomes meaningless.

Are you aware that, in Indiana, there is no minmum (sic) age to own a rifle or shotgun?

Actually, that’s not true.  According to state law it is unlawful for an adult to provide a child a firearm or for a child to posses a firearm unless one of the following conditions is met:

  • attending a hunter safety or firearms safety course and an adult is supervising the child during the course;
  • target shooting at an established range or in an area where the discharge of a firearm is not prohibited or supervised by a qualified firearms instructor or adult while at the range;
  • engaging in an organized firearm competition or practicing for a performance by an organized group that uses firearms as a part of a performance;
  • lawfully hunting or trapping with a license;
  • traveling with an unloaded firearm to or from an activity described in this section;
  • on real property that is under the control of the child’s parent, an adult family member, or legal guardian and has permission from the child’s parent or legal guardian to possess a firearm;
  • at the child’s residence and has the permission of the child’s parent, an adult family member or legal guardian to possess a firearm.

So, while I suppose technically there is no minimum age, all the activities above require the supervision and consent of an adult.  So it’s not like 8 year olds are running around with handguns.

If you live in Indiana, think about the impact that our very lax gun laws could have on your safety and the health and safety of those you love.

I think about that every day as I check my home defense gun, and thank God that I live in a state which doesn’t prevent me from providing for my own safety and the safety of my family.  You see, because I understand that if I ever had a home invasion, the cops will take at least two minutes to get to my house – which might be two minutes too long.

Polls show that the overwhelming majority of Americans are in favor of stricter gun laws, yet our legislators tend to hear only from the powerful lobbies and interests that oppose laws that restrict the availability of guns.

Which polls?  You mean the Gallup poll that shows that 73% of Americans believe that the 2nd Amendment guarantees an individual right to keep and bear arms?  Or the Zogby poll that shows that more Americans value the political endorsements of NRA than Bill Clinton?   I am not sure which polls it is that you are reading.

One of the big reasons that HCGV hasn’t updated their website since last December and generally appears to be kind of a third-rate gun control group is because Indiana is an extremely pro-gun state.  We have lifetime carry permits, state park carry, and a relatively pro-gun legislature.  Outside of Gary, Ft. Wayne (Paul Helmke’s old stomping grounds) and certain parts of Indianapolis, gun control is a losing fight in Indiana.  I would like to keep it that way.

4 Comments

  1. Your anti-gun group at least has a better website than Florida’s. FCSGV, Inc is run by Arthur Hayhoe, “Executive Director” and sole member. Every time Marion Hammer talks with a reporter, they track down this old fart to ask him why guns are scary and should be outlawed. Frankly, I’m amazed that people take him seriously.

    I wonder if HCGV actually _does_ anything… I know FCSGV doesn’t.

  2. I’m very happy with it as well Caleb.

    If you’re ever in the Evansville area and want to hit the range, let me know.

Comments are closed.