Make Your Vote Count. Make A Difference! NRA 2.0

Make Your Vote Count. Make A Difference! NRA 2.0

As gun owners and advocates for the 2nd Amendment (2A,) we must always be prepared to take action defending the essential right to keep and bear arms. As members of the Indiana State Rifle & Pistol Association (ISRPA) we are also members of the State-affiliate of the National Rifle Association.

The NRA has undergone challenges for several years. It was unfortunate that Indiana was at the center of the turmoil at the very beginning during the 2019 NRA Annual Meeting of Members in Indianapolis. Over the next several years the NRA’s challenges came from within with a struggle to change leadership and the State where it is incorporated. Challenges also came from the outside, State-funded lawsuits against the NRA and the New York State government coercing banks in insurance companies to not do business with the NRA. Years later, the NRA won a unanimous Supreme Court decision over the New York government (NRA v. Vulo 2024.)

NRA 2.0 (moving on from the NRA of the past to a new version) is a phrase coined by the new NRA CEO and Executive Vice-President Doug Hamlin. As with any large corporation, the CEO is responsible for operations, the board of directors provides oversight. Without reform-minded board members, NRA 2.0 would not exist. As advocates of the 2A, we all know the importance of a strong and influential NRA.

Our ISRPA President is Charlie Hiltunen. Charlie has also been a member of the NRA Board of Directors for the past three years. During that time, he has been a leader for reform and allowing NRA 2.0 to exist. Working behind the scenes with like-minded board members (and those who would become reformers) brought about new leadership at the NRA. Unfortunately, vestiges of “the old guard” still exist, as he would find out with the nominations for board of directors’ candidates.

While there is a new CEO and Board President, the old guard (loyal to the previous leadership) is alive and well in the nominating committee. A significant number of reformers (including a former NRA Board of Directors Vice President) were left off the ballot by the nominating committee. This left nominating by petition (an extremely antiquated method that has never been updated, possibly since the NRA came to be during the Ulysses S. Grant Administration) as the only option. Charlie Hiltunen was not deterred by this daunting task.

Charlie took the case for the reformers to the Great State of Indiana and the ISRPA membership (many also being NRA members) to fill out petitions and nominate the reform candidates. Not only will most of the reformers be on the ballot soon (next NRA magazine will have the ballots,) but the NRA/ISRPA members from the Great State of Indiana alone provided enough signatures to get the reformers on the ballot. That says a lot!

Having served on the NRA Board for three years, Charlie Hiltunen is on the ballot as well. In the numerous conversations I’ve had with him, at some point the discussion always turns to the NRA. Getting the right people in place to make a difference, as well as returning the NRA to the core missions of marksmanship, safety and training, and supporting the 2A is why Charlie ran for the NRA Board three years ago.

As the ISRPA Co-Director of Government Affairs, I can tell you it never hurts to have someone on the team who can pick up the phone and contact NRA Institute for Legislative Action Director if needed.

When you get your ballot in the next NRA magazine, look for these candidates:

(current board members/reformers)

Ø Al Hammond

Ø Charles Hiltunen

Ø Todd Ellis

Ø Jim Wallace

Ø Jim Porter

Ø Anthony Colandro

Ø Cathy Wright

Ø Mitzy McCorvey

Ø Mitzy McCorvey

Ø Phillip Gray

Ø Willis Lee

(New reform candidates)

Ø Paul Babaz

Ø Charles Brown (Write-in Candidate)

Ø Anthony Colandro

Ø Robert Emslie

Ø Richard Fairburn

Ø Richard Figard

Ø James Fortis

Ø Jonathan Goldstein

Ø Jack Hagan

Ø Teresa Inacker

Ø Howard Massingill

Ø David Mitten

Ø John Richardson

Ø James Sheckels

Ø Regis Synan

Ø Frank Tait

Ø Todd Vandermyde

Ø Knox Williams

Ø Jason Wilson

An incredibly low percentage of voting-eligible NRA members (Life members plus non-Life members who have been in the NRA for at least 5 years) actually turn in the ballot. In 2023 just under 3% of the eligible voters chose 25 board members. With numbers like that, your vote really can make a difference. Putting Charlie Hiltunen back on the NRA Board of Directors along with a solid majority of reform candidates will keep the NRA moving in the right direction.

Make Your Vote Count Here!

Special Legislative Update on House Bill (HB) 1137 Expungement of Red Flag Law Records

Special Legislative Update on House Bill (HB) 1137 Expungement of Red Flag Law Records

On January 22nd, Courts and Criminal Code met to discuss House Bill (HB) 1137 Expungement of Red Flag Law Records and to vote on whether or not to pass the bill onto the House floor or not. The Committee voted 11-0 to advance this Bill to the House Floor! The link to the archived meeting is below and will be of great interest to anyone that would like to know more about the discussions.

Kelly Myers has watch the video and has provided time stamps to specific topics of interest that came from the meeting.


To access the video, go to: https://iga.in.gov/session/2025/video/committee_courts_and_criminal_code_0300

The link is selected for the Courts and Criminal Code committee videos; clicking anywhere in the box to the right of “search for a meeting” will bring up the dropdown. Select “Wednesday Jan. 22-1030″ (currently two choices). Kelly Myers has provided a timeline so you can skip to the testimony relevant to the House Bill (HB) 1137 Expungement of Red Flag Law Records discussion if you like.

Kelly Myers’ Timestamps:

0:02:17: HB 1034: Indecent Displays by Incarcerated Individuals. There aren’t many bills as rough to sit through as this one. The title is misleading, it’s far beyond that. The testimony was eye-opening. It is not safe for work, not safe for children. If you’re an adult who is not at work, give it a look.

0:47:45: HB 1543: Vigo County Courts.

0:55:15: HB 1319: Elkhart County Courts. No testimony, less than 2 minutes on this one.

0:56:50: HB 1137 Expungement of Red Flag Law Records.

Rep Ben Smaltz (who authored Constitutional Carry in 2022) introduced the bill.

1:04:55: Guy Relford (2A Project)

1:15:10: ISRPA President Charlie Hiltunin (Testifying on behalf of the NRA)

1:15:46: Greg Cantor (testifying on behalf of himself.) Greg testified on several bills last year, it’s good to have him on the team.

1:16:45: Kelly Myers (ISRPA)

If you would be interested in more content like this, please reach out and let us know.

The Good (not the Bad and the Ugly) at the Indiana General Assembly

The Good (not the Bad and the Ugly) at the Indiana General Assembly

On January 8th the Indiana General Assembly came back into session. It’s the time of year hundreds of bills are introduced and only a quarter to a third will get a committee hearing and have a chance to move forward through the legislative process. It is fortunate for those of us who are gun owners and supporters of the 2nd Amendment (2A) very few of the bills that are in conflict with our rights (the Bad and the Ugly) will see the light of day in a committee. With that said, we can’t expect bills that support our 2A Rights (the Good) to make it through to the Governor’s desk without letting our elected officials know we are here and paying attention.

This year we have four very solid bills which will definitely support the lawful gun owners and 2A supporters here in Indiana. The committee hearings are not only available for live viewing at the Indiana General Assembly website https://iga.in.gov/ but all videos are archived for later viewing (which allows for fast-forwarding.) In the near future I will provide time points for the committee hearings videos. This will allow you to fast-forward through bills about race horses on steroids, or fence-height requirements for outdoor seating when there are sales of alcoholic beverages. There are those of us who sit through those bills, so you don’t have to.

House Bill (HB) 1074 Firearms Financial Transactions is authored by Craig Haggard. It prohibits discrimination against firearms retailers by financial institutions. This also affects those of us who use debit and credit cards to purchase firearms. HB 1074 is assigned to the Financial Institutions Committee which meets at 1030 on Tuesdays.

HB 1137 Expungement of Red Flag Law Records is authored by Ben Smaltz. This is of particular importance since the Red Flag Law (also called the Laird Law in Indiana) is a civil proceeding. A lawyer is not appointed for the accused if they can’t afford legal representation as in a criminal case. Expungement is incredibly important, particularly if the accused was never found to be “dangerous” in court. HB 1137 is assigned to the Courts and Criminal Code Committee which meets Wednesdays at 1030.

HB 1170 Elimination of Gun Free Zones is authored by Jim Lucas. This bill does not seek to eliminate all gun free zones, but rather focuses on four entities which are operating outside current Indiana Code. These include: the Department of Natural Resources (requires a handgun license to carry a handgun in a State Park despite Indiana having Constitutional Carry since July 2022.) The Indiana Department of Administration (forbids carry of firearms on Indiana Government Center Campus, which includes two parking garages open to the public.) The State Fair Commission (through administrative code) have declared that firearms are in the same category as chemical and biological weapons and are forbidden. Note this doesn’t only apply to the State Fair, but the State Fairgrounds year-around. State Universities forbid students and employees from even securing firearms in vehicles. The legislature writes the laws, not executive agencies. HB 1170 is assigned to the Public Policy Committee which meets Tuesdays at 0830.

Finally, HB 1171 Self Defense is also authored by Jim Lucas. This bill makes pointing a firearm in a self-defense situation reasonable force. It also recognizes occupied businesses have similar status as the home. This bill seeks to remedy a 24-year-old Indiana Circuit Court precedent that made pointing a loaded firearm the equivalent of deadly force. HB 1171 is assigned to the Courts and Criminal Code Committee along with HB 1137 (meets Wednesdays at 1030.)

Keep an eye on your email for updates and “Calls to Action” to support the pro-2A legislation. By clicking this link https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills you can see all the bills currently at the Statehouse.

Things happen fast at the Statehouse. Hopefully we will see these four bills make it though the legislature and on to the Governor’s desk for signature.

Here is a sneak-peak into a new bill tracker that will be a part of the new website. In the meantime, you can access the current bill information here. This information is current as of todays’ date of 1/23/2025.

Kelly Myers
Co-Director, Government Affairs

Legislation Action Alert – Kelly Myers

Legislation Action Alert – Kelly Myers

Fellow ISRPA Members,

As of right now the “contact my office” function on the Indiana General Assembly website is down. It is time to go to old-school phone calls.

The main call center (800-382-9841) and is open 0815-1645 M-F closed holidays. This is always a good option to get a message to a legislator. The more messages left on the desk the better.

The direct voicemail numbers for the representatives are working.

Looking at the calendars and schedule: we need to concentrate the phone calls (for now) on two committee chairs.

Ethan Manning, Public Policy Chair:
– HB 1170 Elimination of Gun Free Zones
– Does not eliminate all GFZ’s, but addresses four areas where Executive Branch agencies are overstepping the Legislature
– Agencies include: Dept of Natural Resources/Indiana Dept of Administration/State Fair Commission/State
Universities
– Direct phone number for voicemail: 317-232-9711. Message: “Please schedule HB 1170 for a hearing.”

Jake Teshka, Financial Institutions Chair:
– HB 1074 Firearms Financial Transactions
– Prohibits discrimination of firearms retailers and individuals by financial institutions
Direct phone number for voicemail: 317-232-9650. Message: Please schedule HB 1074 for a hearing.”

As always: be polite, be professional. We don’t know who will be handling the voicemails and we always want 2nd Amendment supporters in the best possible light.

In Liberty,

Kelly Myers
Co-Director, Government Affairs

2024 in Review/Looking Forward to 2025

2024 in Review/Looking Forward to 2025

2024 will soon be history. To say this was a turbulent year is an understatement to say the least. With the national elections taking up a lot of our attention the last several months, this seems like a good time to look back on what happened at the Indiana General Assembly (IGA.)

A couple major wins for 2nd Amendment (2A) supporters became law here in the Great State of Indiana. Financial institutions and credit card processors who collect information on gun owners (creating a gun registry) will now face legal consequences for such action. This was not as strong of a deterrent as we had hoped for (banking regulators have the responsibility to review, not the Attorney General’s office with the big hammer) but it is definitely a step in the right direction.

Legislation was passed into law to end the 24-year-old civil suit known as (the city of) Gary v. Glock. Basically, the City of Gary suing gun manufacturers for Gary’s problem with criminals. This legislation was much needed to stop the release of private information on an estimated 400,000 ATF Form 4473s.

These bills were up for committee hearings in both chambers (Senate and House) and each of the four times the testifying in support was: John Weber (NRA-ILA Lobbyist) Christopher Lee (National Shooting Sports Foundation) Guy Relford (The 2A Project) and myself representing the ISRPA. I still am very proud to have been on that team.

Also passing into law, Police Departments now have more flexibility in transferring surplus firearms. Trades with other departments for equipment and transfers to Federal Firearms Licensees will allow for better use of resources. Maybe we won’t have to pay as much in taxes now.

For the first time, Indiana will have a Bobcat Season starting in 2025. I know there are a lot of ISRPA members in rural areas. This will be a great help in protecting livestock.

The General Assembly adjourned 8 March 2024. If from then until… 6 November seems like a blur? You are not alone. Hopefully you are not sending the ISRPA Legislative Update emails to your SPAM folder. I realize the “elections have consequences” and “most important election of our lifetime” themes may have been mentioned 1 or 2… hundred times. Gun owners absolutely stepped up in this election. THANK YOU!!

It is now December. That means the Indiana General Assembly session for 2025 will be back in session before we know it (8 January.) It is a budget year (Indiana passes a two-year budget on odd-numbered years) so the session will run from 8 January until late-April this year. This means more days with committee hearings, which means a better chance of getting bills introduced in committee and eventually arriving on the Governor’s desk for signature.

At the time of writing this article, there are no bills posted on the IGA website. My “sources” (“sources” sounds much more impressive than, “A guy I know, who knows this other guy…”) tell me we should see a bill that strengthens Constitutional protections for individuals accused of being “dangerous” under Indiana’s red flag law (also known as the Jake Laird Law, named for a fallen Indianapolis Police Officer.) This law (which has been in Indiana Code since 2005) was greatly improved in 2019 with much more specific language added to define “danger to themselves or others.” Since being “dangerous” under this law is a civil proceeding and not a criminal proceeding, there are significant differences. An example of strengthening protections would be having a lawyer appointed without charge if you can’t afford one. This protection of the accused currently extends only to criminal proceedings.

Conversely, anyone charged with providing knowingly false information that someone is “dangerous” under the Laird Law, that is at minimum Class A Misdemeanor/criminal proceeding. They get a lawyer provided if they can’t afford one.

Also, this could be the year a bill which makes pointing a firearm in a self-defense situation (but not rising to deadly force situation) would become a reasonable use of force. Due to an Indiana Circuit Court decision (Nantz v. State 2001,) the act of pointing a loaded firearm in a situation where reasonable force (but not deadly force) is authorized, is a felony.

In 2025 we will see a resolution return to amend the Indiana Constitution. Here in Indiana amending the Constitution is not an easy process. A resolution must pass both the Senate and the House. Then after an election, the resolution must again pass both the Senate and House again. After that, it goes on the ballot and the Indiana voters decide.

In 2023, a resolution passed to amend the Indiana Constitution concerning what crimes an alleged criminal can be held without bail Currently, only murder and treason are no-bail crimes. Treason against the State of Indiana is in the Indiana Constitution. It is obvious the early Hoosiers who drafted our State Constitution were well-versed on the US Constitution.

Allowing for violent-repeat offenders who are a threat to others to be held without bail will help keep the worst of the worst behind bars. This resolution is very specific in order to prevent it from being applied to anyone other than the most violent criminals.

2024 is a year we will not forget. 2025 will give us opportunities to support legislation that further protects our 2nd Amendment rights. Stay tuned, more to follow.

Kelly Myers, ISRPA Government Affairs Co-Director

Indiana 3PAR State CMP Championship

Indiana 3PAR State CMP Championship

LOCATION: Hancock County Fairgrounds
620 Apple St, Greenfield, IN 46140

DATE: January 4th, 2025

SPONSOR: Indiana State Rifle and Pistol Association

EVENTS: 3 X 20 COURSE OF FIRE
Individual and Team Competition

TIME SCHEDULE: First relay will begin at 9 am the match director will notify participants of their start times prior to the match day

EQUIPMENT: Sporter and Precision Class

COMPETITION: Open to High School seniors and younger who are members of a Jr Shooting Air Rifle Team

RULES: The National Standard Three-Position Air Rifle Rules will apply.

AWARDS: Medals will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place Top team will be recognized

ENTRY FEES: $25 per individual made out to ISRPA to be paid at the registration table the day of the event.

HOW TO ENTER: Contact Steve Scoggins scoggins.steven@gmail.com 812-662-5209.
Please include Coach’s name and contact info with your registrations

ACCOMODATIONS: Hotels may be found in Greenfield

Competition Forms:

CMP Competitor Form
Indiana CMP Match Program 2025
ISRPA Liability Waive
Team Entry Form

THE NRA New York Attorney General Case Is Finally Over!

THE NRA New York Attorney General Case Is Finally Over!

Last week was a good week for the NRA. The case brought against NRA by the New York Attorney General has just concluded. The attorney general called our proud association–comprised of millions of law-abiding Americans – a “terrorist organization” before she even took office. The objective was to have this 153-year-old American institution dissolved. She wanted the court to install a monitor to oversee our operations. None of that happened.

A jury trial earlier this year awarded financial penalties for some of NRA’s previous executives. That money will be coming back directly to the NRA to support our mission and programs.

That was followed by a bench trial. The final decision from New York Supreme Court Justice Joel Cohen was handed down last week, and in it the court ordered actions that were already in place or in process, plus some others that will be implemented by NRA leadership and board of directors.

The last six years have been difficult for NRA members, the Board of Directors, supporters, and especially the NRA staff. With Judge Cohen’s ruling, the NRA and new leadership can now put this challenging chapter in NRA history behind us and focus solely on the business of the members and all law-abiding gun owners. The NRA is committed to transparency, compliance, and good governance going forward. Last week’s outcome ensures that NRA members can support the Association, America’s oldest civil rights organization, with confidence.

God bless America, and long live the NRA!

(Paraphrased and updated based upon NRA EVP/CEO, Doug Hamlin’s Report to the staff of the National Rifle Association of America)

Charlie Hiltunen
ISRPA President & NRA Board Member 

The State 2A Legislative Team is Growing!

The State 2A Legislative Team is Growing!

We just added two new talented members to our 2A Legislative Team, NRA Legislative Director for Indiana, Nick Buggia, and NSSF Legislative Director for Indiana, Moriah Day.

Nick hails from and will be based in Michigan and was actively involved in the Legislative Sportsman’s Roundtable, where he cut his teeth in 2A advocacy. Moriah hails from the Kansas State Rifle Association and has been engaged in both legislative and executive positions throughout his career.

Both of our new Hoosiers will join our current All-Star Team including ISRPA GA Co-Chairs, Jerry Torr & Kelly Myers and 2A Project President/WIBC Gun Guy, Guy Relford.

As the battlefield for our Constitutional Rights moves to Local Government, we are prepared with the best leaders in the field.

YOU can join the Team and be part of our grassroots army… Join the ISRPA!

Charlie Hiltunen
ISRPA President & NRA Board Member

The Battle is Won, But the War is Far from Over

The Battle is Won, But the War is Far from Over

At the National Level, Republicans won the Presidency and both the House & Senate by slim margins…We know that we have a safe Administration, but they will have a lot of house cleaning to do. Legislatively, although held by mostly 2A Representatives and Senators, there are enough in both Houses of Congress that will have to be reinforced, educated, and worked with to become stronger supporters to ensure that a small group of weak-kneed legislators don’t cave in to the dark side in the heat of battle.

In the Hoosier State, we elected a GREAT new Governor, who is a dedicated outdoorsman, conservationist, sportsman, and hunting enthusiast. He raises incredible hunting Beagles and shares his passion for Dove, Rabbit, and mushroom hunting with his many Hoosier Friends.  We also elected strong supermajorities that have proven their dedication to the Second Amendment and deliver time and time again.

With the support that we have at the State & local level, maybe it is time to take a break and celebrate. NOT A CHANCE!!!  We have won crucial battles, however, “the dark side” has already repositioned its troops for the next battle in the war to preserve our liberties and rich heritage.

At the national level, our Civil Rights are under siege. The attack is multi-dimensional through the use of lawfare, persecution, and political strong-arming. We are now beginning to see those insidious efforts seep into our State and local battlefields.  In Indiana, we are seeing a well-funded effort, utilizing a big, politically influential law firm focused upon shutting down our shooting ranges. They are leveraging a loophole in our State Preemption law by utilizing local zoning ordinances and enforcement as a mechanism to attack shooting ranges and facilities lawfully engaged in the business of firearms.  For instance, the Floyd County Board of Zoning Appeals, along with a hostile County Commissioner, are trying to force the Sporting Club at the Farm and owner, Bobby Brooks, out of business. This is part of their first wave of attacks that ISRPA will have to defend and respond through grassroots and legislative efforts. But this is just the beginning.

This year has demonstrated clear evidence of why it is imperative to engage and grow the ISRPA.  The war waged against our Rights has moved to the State level, calling for an increased need for grass-roots representation to support and promote our Second Amendment liberties…even with a super majority Republican Legislature.  Based upon NRA 2.0, and renewed efforts to refocus on clubs & associations, ISRPA will also have to step up to the plate and fortify the National efforts as there will be a focus upon getting back to the basics and building up our Second Amendment defenses from the ground up.

JOIN THE FIGHT…JOIN ISRPA AND NRA 2.0!!!