Committee Adds Controversial Gun Bill To Different Gun Bill

A House committee Wednesday added the entire contents of a controversial bill on gun regulations to a different bill dealing with firearms.

House Bill 1071 allows people protected by restraining orders to carry handguns without a license for up to 60 days. The controversial measure passed the House last month and is awaiting a hearing in the Senate.

A House committee added the entirety of 1071 into a non-controversial Senate bill that deals with firearms disposal.

Representative Sean Eberhart (R-Shelbyville), House Bill 1071’s author, says he put his language into the Senate bill because he wanted to make sure it stayed alive at all costs.

“It’s not unusual for us to take these type of measures where we put bills in other bills just for a backup plan,” Eberhart says.

But Rep. Vanessa Summers (D-Indianapolis) objected, calling out what she says is the committee’s “male bullheadedness.”

“I just don’t get it where you don’t understand how dangerous this is for women. I just don’t get you guys,” Summer says. “This one is beyond the pale for me.”

The committee approved the Senate bill – with that House bill included – by a 9 to 4 vote.