Indiana GOP legislative leaders 'very disappointed' by state police official's criticism

Indiana's top Republican lawmakers said they were "frustrated" and "very disappointed" after the head of the Indiana State Police offered a searing rebuke of the supermajority at the Statehouse earlier this week.

During testimony on a bill that would eliminate handgun carry permits, ISP Superintendent Douglas Carter said that a supermajority "stifles, prohibits, oftentimes limits public debate."

“But I never remember a time when outside influence of national associations or political posturing became the driving force behind any legislation in our great state until now," Carter said. “I sure hope you choose to show deference to law enforcement professionals that understand the magnitude and the frontline effects of this legislation, rather than the possibility of getting reelected or elected the next primary.”

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Carter, who was appointed by former Republican Gov. Mike Pence and reappointed by Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb, was opposed to House Bill 1077 due to safety concerns for his officers.

Both Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray, R-Martinsville, and House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, criticized Carter's comments and signaled they intend to move forward with the legislation. "I understand this is an emotional topic for Superintendent Carter," Huston said, "just very disappointed in his comments."

Huston added that he's been friends with Carter for a long time, and has "tremendous amount of respect" for him and his service.

Likewise, Bray said that he's been involved with conversations on this topic with Carter for years.

"It's a little ironic after about eight and a half or nine hours of testimony, that he says it's not an opportunity to fully vet something," Bray said. "(I) have a tremendous amount of respect for him, was a little frustrated with that comment."

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He added that just because there's a difference in opinion on this topic, doesn't mean his caucus is not supportive of police.

"We do an awful lot of things around here to support law enforcement," Bray said, "and we'll continue to do that because we value everything that they do, and they're extremely important to us."

After a marathon eight-hour meeting Wednesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee had amended House Bill 1077 to enable qualified candidates who have applied for a permit to carry a handgun without a license until they receive their permit.

That bill though will not move forward because the gutting of the bill broke procedural rules, Bray said. Republicans committed to putting the "constitutional carry" measure into another bill before the March 14 deadline to end session.

Call IndyStar reporter Kaitlin Lange at 317-432-9270. Follow her on Twitter: @kaitlin_lange.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana lawmakers respond to state police constitutional carry remark