INDIANAPOLIS – A legislative panel Monday avoided taking a clear stance on whether Indiana should eliminate a requirement for Hoosiers to have a license to carry a handgun in public.

The joint committee heard testimony from those supporting and opposing so-called constitutional carry legislation earlier this year.

The final report approved by Republicans on Monday – it was a 15-5 party line vote with Democrats against – didn't definitively take a stand either way. And Democrats argued one section of the report could be construed as limiting the need for a permit.

By straddling the line it avoided hard votes that might be criticized by the NRA.

Panel Chairman Sen. Rod Bray, R-Martinsville, said the report was written to be “deliberately general” and shouldn't be used as legislative intent for any debate in the session starting in January.

Staunch Second Amendment supporter Rep. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour, quickly after the meeting said he would file a constitutional carry bill.

Current Indiana law requires Hoosiers to have a permit to carry a handgun in public. Felons and those with mental illness are prohibited from receiving a carry permit.

The report says “the General Assembly should remove hurdles that restrict the ability of law abiding Hoosiers to exercise their state and federal constitutional rights to bear arms and defend themselves.”

Rep. Vanessa Summers, D-Indianapolis, asked what hurdles are being referred to. Bray said examples could include the licensing fees and requirement to give fingerprints for a background check.

Another recommendation says “the General Assembly should maintain the current licensing system for individuals who desire to obtain a license for reciprocity purposes.”

Democrats argued that can be read to mean a license would be required only for reciprocity purposes, or if someone wanted to carry a gun legally in another state.

Several Democrats suggested ways to clarify the language, but Republicans ignored the ideas.

“If we're not making a recommendation to repeal current licensing requirements then the report should state that,” said Sen. Tim Lanane, D-Anderson.

Bray said the report is not a guide for legislation and acknowledged some members want to eliminate the carry permit and other members want to keep it.

nkelly@jg.net