Drizzt
August 4, 2003, 04:55 PM
Pistol-packing politicians like added firepower
By The Associated Press
August 4, 2003
One in six Indiana lawmakers has a permit to carry a firearm, and some even pack their guns when they saunter onto the floor of the Indiana House and Senate, The Journal Gazette in Fort Wayne reported Sunday.
These pistol-packing politicians have no problem with the availability of weapons in the Statehouse, and some even welcome the guns given the lax security at the state Capitol.
"If someone opens fire from the balcony, I want all the guns I can shooting back. Unless, of course, there are school kids up there," said Rep. Matthew Whetstone, whose small .22-caliber pistol weighs no more than a set of keys in his pants pocket.
Whetstone, R-Brownsburg, is one of 25 House and Senate members with valid permits to carry firearms, according to a review of the Indiana State Police firearms database by the newspaper.
That is about 17 percent of the General Assembly, compared with about 7 percent of the eligible state population with permits.
Few lawmakers seem concerned that the firearms could be turned on each other despite history that shows political rivals around the nation - most recently in the New York City Hall shooting - have resorted to violence.
Six lawmakers acknowledged bringing their guns onto the House or Senate floor all the time or at least occasionally.
Thirteen others said they did not, and several more did not return repeated phone calls or declined to discuss the specifics of when they carry a gun.
Of the 25 with permits, 10 are in the Senate and 15 are in the House.
Eight of the gun-toting lawmakers are Democrats; 17 are Republicans. Of the six Republicans who say they bring guns to work at the Statehouse, three are in the Senate and three are in the House.
But not everyone appreciates the extra firepower on the floor.
"I think the state troopers are paid to protect us, and I think we can depend on them," said Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary.
Although it is probably surprising to many Hoosiers, there is no law against having a gun in the Statehouse, said Lt. Scott Beamon of the Indiana State Police.
There is a personnel policy prohibiting most state employees from carrying any type of weapon, but it does not apply to elected legislators.
"As a former police officer, I have the training and the capability to stop something if something happens," said Sen. John Waterman, R-Shelburn. "If I'm not armed, I can't do that."
Waterman, who served two terms as sheriff of Sullivan County, is the only law enforcement member turned lawmaker who carries a firearm.
Several other former police officers - including Rep. Bob Alderman, R-Fort Wayne - choose not to be armed on the floor.
"I do have a permit, but I don't carry there. Never. I think that's why the state police are there," he said.
Although several Capitol police officers monitor the Statehouse at all times, the building covers two city blocks and they cannot effectively cover all possibilities, said Andrew Stoner, spokesman for Gov. Frank O'Bannon.
There are no metal detectors at any of the near-dozen entrances to the Statehouse.
Both the House and Senate are on the third floor, and while elderly men and women check IDs at the chamber doors, there are no guards. Also on the House side, there is a third unmanned and unlocked door through which anyone could enter directly onto the floor. A plainclothes state trooper usually is present.
During session, there is one metal detector on the fourth floor leading to the House gallery that was purchased after Sept. 11, 2001.
The House also has installed bulletproof glass in its chamber, but there are no metal detectors on the Senate side.
"You or I could walk in there with a handgun and I really think that anything could happen," said Sen. Kent Adams, R-Warsaw
http://www.myinky.com/ecp/local_news/article/0,1626,ECP_745_2157097,00.html
By The Associated Press
August 4, 2003
One in six Indiana lawmakers has a permit to carry a firearm, and some even pack their guns when they saunter onto the floor of the Indiana House and Senate, The Journal Gazette in Fort Wayne reported Sunday.
These pistol-packing politicians have no problem with the availability of weapons in the Statehouse, and some even welcome the guns given the lax security at the state Capitol.
"If someone opens fire from the balcony, I want all the guns I can shooting back. Unless, of course, there are school kids up there," said Rep. Matthew Whetstone, whose small .22-caliber pistol weighs no more than a set of keys in his pants pocket.
Whetstone, R-Brownsburg, is one of 25 House and Senate members with valid permits to carry firearms, according to a review of the Indiana State Police firearms database by the newspaper.
That is about 17 percent of the General Assembly, compared with about 7 percent of the eligible state population with permits.
Few lawmakers seem concerned that the firearms could be turned on each other despite history that shows political rivals around the nation - most recently in the New York City Hall shooting - have resorted to violence.
Six lawmakers acknowledged bringing their guns onto the House or Senate floor all the time or at least occasionally.
Thirteen others said they did not, and several more did not return repeated phone calls or declined to discuss the specifics of when they carry a gun.
Of the 25 with permits, 10 are in the Senate and 15 are in the House.
Eight of the gun-toting lawmakers are Democrats; 17 are Republicans. Of the six Republicans who say they bring guns to work at the Statehouse, three are in the Senate and three are in the House.
But not everyone appreciates the extra firepower on the floor.
"I think the state troopers are paid to protect us, and I think we can depend on them," said Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary.
Although it is probably surprising to many Hoosiers, there is no law against having a gun in the Statehouse, said Lt. Scott Beamon of the Indiana State Police.
There is a personnel policy prohibiting most state employees from carrying any type of weapon, but it does not apply to elected legislators.
"As a former police officer, I have the training and the capability to stop something if something happens," said Sen. John Waterman, R-Shelburn. "If I'm not armed, I can't do that."
Waterman, who served two terms as sheriff of Sullivan County, is the only law enforcement member turned lawmaker who carries a firearm.
Several other former police officers - including Rep. Bob Alderman, R-Fort Wayne - choose not to be armed on the floor.
"I do have a permit, but I don't carry there. Never. I think that's why the state police are there," he said.
Although several Capitol police officers monitor the Statehouse at all times, the building covers two city blocks and they cannot effectively cover all possibilities, said Andrew Stoner, spokesman for Gov. Frank O'Bannon.
There are no metal detectors at any of the near-dozen entrances to the Statehouse.
Both the House and Senate are on the third floor, and while elderly men and women check IDs at the chamber doors, there are no guards. Also on the House side, there is a third unmanned and unlocked door through which anyone could enter directly onto the floor. A plainclothes state trooper usually is present.
During session, there is one metal detector on the fourth floor leading to the House gallery that was purchased after Sept. 11, 2001.
The House also has installed bulletproof glass in its chamber, but there are no metal detectors on the Senate side.
"You or I could walk in there with a handgun and I really think that anything could happen," said Sen. Kent Adams, R-Warsaw
http://www.myinky.com/ecp/local_news/article/0,1626,ECP_745_2157097,00.html