In a non-budget year (short) legislative session made even shorter by the redistricting debacle in December, there is still a lot happening on the 2nd Amendment (2A) front at the Statehouse. As with most legislative sessions, some bills move forward, others don’t get out of committee. Right now, it looks like three pro-2A bills have a good chance to make it to the Governor’s desk for a signature. Please note while I’m writing this some of the legislative actions haven’t taken place yet. As you read this they will be past-tense. Things do move fast at the Statehouse.
The first bill started out as a very short bill, and ended up being an amendment to another bill. House Bill (HB) 1221 (Antique Firearms) was a very short bill: it added 18 words to Indiana Code. This bill aligns Indiana Code with US Code concerning firearms that require a DEA Form 4473. Currently a 4473 is required under Indiana Code for antique firearms (manufactured before 1899, or does not accept modern fixed cartridges) however these firearms do not require a 4473 under US Code.
Somewhere in the first week of the reconvened session HB 1221 became Amendment #3 to HB 1052 (Various Administrative Law Matters.) As a gun owner and a 2A supporter: HB 1052 is 31 pages that are almost as interesting as watching paint dry… and 18 words that are very important. HB 1052 will be “amend and vote only” which means no testimony. It will be voted on in the House Public Policy Committee on 22 January. This bill will definitely be on my scope when it makes its way to the Senate.
Another bill up for a hearing in committee is Senate Bill (SB) 176, Regulation of Firearms and Shooting Ranges. This bill will help stop shooting ranges being put out of business through zoning actions. ISRPA President Charlie Hiltunen has the lead on this issue. The hearing in the Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee is 20 January.
Last but not least, HB 1274 Insurance Mandated Gun Free Zones was heard in the House Insurance Committee on 13 January. This bill will be up for amend and vote on 20 January. Below is the link to the hearing video and time points for HB 1274:
https://iga.in.gov/session/2026/video/committee_insurance
- Time points on video:
- 23:00: HB 1274 introduced by author
- 31:10: Insurance Industry spokesman
- 39:25: Kelly Myers, ISRPA Co-Director of Government Affairs
- 41:40: Charlie Hiltunen, ISRPA President on behalf of the NRA as a Board Member
Viewing the hearing from the recorded video gives you the ability to fast-forward. When you’re at the Statehouse or watching the live video feed there is no fast-forward option. This being my 10th year of attending hearings at the Statehouse, I’ve sat through a lot of bills to get to the 2A-related bill up for a hearing. Some of the bills I remember were: “Fence height requirements for establishments that serve alcohol and have outdoor seating” (that was awful.) “Racehorses on steroids” (that was worse than the fence height bill.) “Mortgage broker principal managers” (worse than racehorses on steroids, there were three people in the hearing room who were really into the subject… and talked about it a lot.)
Then there are some bills which are very impactful. The bill preceding HB 1274 was HB 1044, Insurance Coverage for Public Safety Employees. When one of the individuals testifying is a former firefighter in a wheelchair? That is very impactful.
In the last week of January, the bills that made it out of committee will be up for 2nd Reading (when amendments can be introduced) and 3rd Reading (vote by the entire Senate/House.) The Senate bills that pass then go to the House; House bills that pass go to the Senate. That’s what we call halftime.
The 3rd quarter begins the first week of February. Committee hearings in the first three weeks of February; that’s three chances at most to get a bill a hearing. If all goes right, there will be three pro-2A bills on their way to the Governor’s desk this year.
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