NDIANAPOLIS — State legislators are being asked to study safety in Hoosier schools and revisions in firearms laws as Gov. Eric Holcomb plans to offer new safety precautions before the legislature adjourns.
On Tuesday, the Indiana Senate passed a resolution seeking a summer study committee for a comprehensive review of school safety issues.
The calls for studies were prompted by the Parkland, Fla., shooting on Feb. 14 in which a 19-year-old male used an AR-15 to kill 17 high school students.
“Hopefully we can get this summer study … I’d like to have people who have credible input and logical input on steps we can take to stem this from happening,” Sen. Jim Tomes, R-Wadesville, said.
Some leaders believe the topics of school safety and gun violence are related.
“Now is not the time for us to be taking measures to relax our gun safety laws in the state of Indiana. It is a time to reflect on and review those laws,” Sen. Tim Lanane, D-Anderson, said Tuesday.
Lanane would like to see bump stocks outlawed and limits on the purchase of semi-automatic firearms.
Lanane co-authored a resolution to study the topic of reducing gun violence and deaths by firearms in Indiana. The resolution was assigned Tuesday to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Numerous cities, including Indianapolis, are planning to participate in the “March for our Lives” rally on March 24 to protest gun violence. The Indianapolis rally is scheduled for 11 a.m. at Monument Circle.
Last week, Holcomb said he held a meeting with all state agencies that had “anything remotely to do with school safety.” Holcomb said he will make recommendations on what the state can address before the legislative session ends March 14.