A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning family law and juvenile law.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details about the removal of restrictions for minors carrying handguns and the addition of penalties in certain areas. These claims were removed as they are not supported by the provided text.

Law to Change Rules About Children and Guns

This law makes it illegal for children to possess firearms under certain conditions, and it affects how courts handle cases involving young people and guns.

What This Bill Does

• Makes unlawful possession of a firearm by a child a felony crime in some situations.
• Allows the court to give up its authority over certain gun-related crimes involving minors when asked by the prosecutor.
• Removes restrictions that prevent kids under 18 from carrying handguns, but adds penalties if they do so near schools or on school buses.
• Changes the name of a crime related to dangerous firearm possession by children and increases punishment for committing it in specific places like schools.

Who It Names or Affects

• Children who have firearms illegally
• Courts dealing with juvenile cases involving guns
• Prosecutors who file motions to waive jurisdiction

Terms To Know

Felony

A serious crime that can lead to a long prison sentence.

Juvenile court

A special court for cases involving young people who break the law.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify what happens if children under 18 carry handguns outside of school zones.
• It is unclear how this change will affect current laws about dangerous possession of firearms by minors.
• There are no details on how the enhanced penalties for committing crimes near schools or on buses will be enforced.

Official Summary Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning family law and juvenile law.
Unlawful possession of a firearm by a child.

Current Bill Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning family law and juvenile law.

Unlawful possession of a firearm by a child.

Adds felony unlawful possession of a firearm by a child to the list of crimes for which a juvenile court shall, upon motion of the prosecuting attorney, waive jurisdiction under certain circumstances. Removes certain crimes concerning children and firearms from the list of crimes in which a juvenile court does not have jurisdiction for an alleged violation. Removes language in the unlawful carrying of a handgun statute prohibiting a person less than 18 years of age from carrying a handgun. Provides that the unlawful carrying of a handgun statute applies to a person who has been adjudicated as a delinquent child under the statute, and is at least 18 years of age but less than 23 years of age. Renames the "dangerous possession of a firearm" crime to "unlawful possession of a firearm by a child" and provides that the enhanced penalty applies if the offense was committed: (1) on or in school property; (2) within 500 feet of school property; or (3) on a school bus. Removes the reckless mens rea for unlawful possession of a firearm by a child. Makes technical changes.