The group that runs the city’s professional sports facilities is concerned that state legislation would allow Hoosiers
with gun permits to carry their weapons into its venues.
Senate Bill 292, introduced by Sen. Jim Tomes, R-Wadesville, passed on a 38-12 vote Monday and has advanced to the Indiana
House of Representatives. Rep. Mike Speedy, R-Indianapolis, has signed on as a House sponsor. Both chambers are controlled
by Republicans.
With the exception of schools, courts and law-enforcement offices, the bill would trump local rules that prohibit licensed
gun owners from carrying their weapons on municipally owned property.
For the Capital Improvement Board of Marion County, which operates Lucas Oil Stadium, Conseco Fieldhouse and Victory Field,
as well as the Indiana Convention Center, the proposal presents huge concerns.
Foremost is the impact the bill could have on the city’s hosting of the Super Bowl in 2012.
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay sent a tweet on social media site Twitter late last week opposing the gun bill.
“Someones got a bill n Ind.State Legislature making it illegal 4 CIB 2 stop some1 from bringing a gun into Luc Oil,I’m
against it,so should u,” Irsay said in the tweet.
CIB currently regulates firearms at all of its facilities, said its attorney, Toby McClamroch.
McClamroch is lobbying lawmakers to exempt CIB buildings from the legislation, but his efforts so far are “not getting
much support,” he said at a CIB meeting on Monday.
“That worries me a lot,” CIB member Douglas Brown said. “We could sit around for hours and come up with
scenarios where we’d be in a bad place.”
But Speedy, who thinks the bill has wide support in the House, argued the state legislation would help to streamline a “patchwork”
of local laws.
“If you’re a law-abiding citizen and you’re properly permitted, you should have the right to carry,”
Speedy said.
He and other supporters maintain the legislation won’t affect the Super Bowl or any other sporting event. That’s
because, by purchasing a ticket, the spectator accepts the agreement and rules of the ticket seller, which in the case of
the Super Bowl would be the National Football League. Its rules prohibit firearms in stadiums.
Still, a lot of uncertainty surrounds the bill. As it’s currently written, the legislation doesn’t contain language
that addresses contracts or agreements with municipal corporations.
“But if it takes an amendment,” Speedy said, “there will be an amendment.”
CIB members also expressed reservations about conventions held at the newly expanded convention center, since attendees to
those events usually don’t need tickets to enter.
The Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association, which markets the convention center to trade groups and associations,
declined to comment on the bill.
CIB member David Shane was more outspoken in his opposition to the bill.
“Help me understand why in the world we would want to create a situation where we couldn’t control the access
or the ability to bring firearms into conventions,” he said at the Monday meeting. “Why would we want to have
anything but the ability to control this.”
The potential for higher insurance and security costs is worrisome to the CIB as well.
If passed, the bill would take effect July 1.

















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Has anyone seen the terrible movie Idiocracy. I feel that we are trending this way.
You're wrong. States have powers to pass laws that trump private business rights and override any contractual agreements. The General Assembly can pass a law allowing firearms in Lucas Oil Stadium, even during the Superbowl if they want.
I saw this movie already - its called "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral".
Why are we adopting the attitudes and customs of Mississippi and Alabama?
Other Note: Benjamin franklin created 1st police force, Note Taxes was to be completely voluntary the Matter of Home stead, the States only had the right to force a sales Tax to pay for said Common defense to help protect you, The federal Systems was voluntary and only forceable if a war was being fought on us soil upheld by Congress the voice of we the people, If you did not pay any sales Taxes you could not call on the help of the Paid Common defense!
Jesse Your right on Any private owner has a right to ban firearms on their property. However, Lucas Oil Stadium and the other properties are not private. These properties are run by the government. When you ask the tax payers to foot the bill for your huge stadiums, you give your right to basic Constitutional rights!
Ms B thanks
Bank - most banks have armed guards already. Make an area where the guard checks your permit and "checks" your gun. Is it feasible I might be coming or leaving a bank with large sums of money and might need the use of my firearm in transit? Sure, bank get robbed all the time.
Now, lets bring this full circle...Lucas Oil Stadium. Make there 4 main doors for firearm "check points" (much like Victory Field only allows coolers through the outfield gates). You can have off-duty police who check my permit and my firearm. Then, I could be safe coming and leaving an event. Problem solved.
Fact is there are hundreds of thousands of honest Hoosiers, plus out of state visitors with carry permits for their home states, legally carrying a concealed firearm on a daily basis.
Including to all the places you're espousing fear they'll show up....
should not be surprised. I was concerned then that many of them were downright scary, and this makes me think that my perceptions were on target. It's very disheartening.
Remember that each individual's rights should always be considered with regard to the greater good. If I knew that I would be attending a public event at a convention center (car show, comic convention, wedding convention) and knew that anyone with a gun permit could be carrying, I simply would not attend.
As others have said, qualifying for a gun permit does not ensure that a person should be able to carry one.
I will be watching who votes for this bill, and will vote accordingly (against) anyone who votes for it in the next election...
The Arizona lunatic that killed 6 people had a license.
Priceless---I say let them carry shall not be infringed, Its we the people owned---that would mean it would be Unconstitutional for the elected and or Appointed leadership of said common defense to restrain such rights, I say repeal the Tax hikes--that helped pay for the building of and the after the fact Maintaining of!
As it is I have no respect for the NFL and or the colts i don';t watch the Sport anyway
Great post i needed the Laugh. It made my Day
Good Job Sen. Jim Tomes, R-Wadesville.
Lawsuit Filed Against Post Office Gun Ban google it!
I'm tired of the democrat entitlement crowd asking the government to outlaw this and not allow that.
It is my strong belief that the majority of people in this state are perfectly capable of making decisions for themselves.
It's all of these people who want the government more involved in telling everyone what they can or can't do that is, MY BIG ISSUE!
Apology accepted, my ego will be fine. :)
How does this create jobs? I'm unclear on that part....
And to "what?" thank you for falling for my straw man. You just focus on the fact that I bruised your ego by insulting men and forget all about the larger issues.
Downtown Worker. There are many reasons for a person to carry a gun to an event. First, parking is limited. Some people have to walk long distances to park. Some of these parking spots aren't always in the best parts of town. Also, it has been widely documented the amount of crime that happens during these events (parking scams, cars broken into...). Is it so far fetched that I could go to a game and catch someone breaking into my car when I return? What if there are multiple people breaking into my car? Sure, I will call the police and get them in route. However, the police will take 3-5 minutes to get there. Will I need my gun in that time? I certainly have the right have my gun if needed.
When is the last time someone with a gun permit shot up a crowd? Never.
Also, are you telling me that no one leaving an event at Lucas Oil, the Convention center, or Conseco has even been harmed? No. People leaving these events deserve the right to defend themselves.
No immigrants
No gun restrictions
No public education
Poor people required to have babies (healthy or not)
They have proven they are fine with breaking felony laws by coming here illegally. Why should we, or Arizona, not uphold the law???
Just to clarify my position, I'm 100% with you on this.
However, I believe it should be the right of the owner of any building to deny the posession of a firearm within their establishment. I don't think our gvmt should dictate whether you have to allow or cannot allow people to carry fire arms.
Also for clarification, I don't see why anyone needs to carry a gun into a sporting event. I just want it to be decided by the people for the people. Not by government dictation!
The nanny-state supporters claimed that when the assault weapons ban expired all hell would break loose...nothing happened. They claimed that when states passed concealed carry laws citizens would rampage on each other...violent crime declined.
Now, they are claiming that the Super Bowl will be a blood bath if law abiding citizens have a right inside the building that they already have standing outside on the street.
Please keep fighting to get us our rights back one issue at a time.
No immigrants
No gun restrictions
No convention business.
No more F500 corporate HQ's.
Say goodbye as Indiana quietly fades from the national scene.
Go, GOP!!
Or are you just saying that women are more responsible?
I'm just looking for clarification.