I know because I've witnessed his efforts to explain the reasoning behind a gun law he authored that has had some people up in arms. Tomes has agreed to countless interviews with reporters who wanted to talk to him about Indiana's firearms pre-emption law, which went into effect July 2011. He's disappointed with the results.
"Not once has it ever been reported accurately," he told me recently, after patiently correcting me for a mistake I'd made in a story about how the law will impact polling places this November.
The Tomes-authored bill prohibits local governments from enacting stricter gun laws than the firearms statutes set by the state. It also did away with local gun laws that were already in place. Tomes said his law was intended to align firearms regulations throughout Indiana.
"This is a huge step to protect lawful citizens who have a right to carry firearms," Tomes said after Gov. Mitch Daniels signed the bill into law. "Fathers and mothers who attain a license to protect themselves and their children should not have to fear being in jeopardy of violating a huge patchwork of firearms rules that are outside of state code and statutes."
It didn't go down that easy. Some local officials were infuriated that the law nullified ordinances that banned firearms in public places.
"Some people imagined that we were going to have people shooting up libraries and parks," Tomes said. "And that just hasn't happened."
Tomes has taken some tough hits in the press. I've written about the law (at least one time with error) but failed to tell readers about Tomes: That he's a Vietnam War veteran (having served with the much-storied 101st Airborne Division), that he's a former Teamster union steward, that he's active in his local church, and that he and his wife of 42 years have three grown children - including one who's in law enforcement and another in the National Guard.
Tomes' beliefs about guns are rooted in the Bill of Rights. He wonders why journalists seem quick to protect their First Amendment right to a free press, but seem so dismissive of his Second Amendment right to bear arms. If he had to do a count, he thinks he'd find a lot more scary gun stories, he said, than stories "about people who've used guns responsibly to protect themselves or their loved ones."
So Tomes patiently counsels gun owners to be mindful of that. His law protects the rights of legal, licensed gun owners in Indiana to openly display their firearms in public places - including some polling places this November. But it's not what he advises - not by a long shot.
Two reasons why: First, he worries it would make them a target.
"If somebody comes in with a gun intending to harm people, who do you think he's going to shoot first?" Tomes said.
Second, because many people just aren't accustomed to the sight of a gun.
"It's common courtesy to keep them concealed," he said, "as to not excite unnecessary fear."
That's a courtesy, he said, his law won't undo.
"Most legal firearms carriers are responsible enough to extend this courtesy to fellow Hoosiers, carrying their firearms concealed as a demonstration of respect."
- Maureen Hayden covers the Statehouse for the CNHI newspapers in Indiana. She may be reached at maureen.hayden@indianamediagroup.com.
I’ve not kept it a secret that I find people who dress their dogs in clothes to be, to put it nicely, somewhat more than just eccentric. And many friendly, helpful readers out there have not kept it a secret that they really wish I would not express my views about dogs dressed as humans.
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
It sounds like the plot from a dystopian libertarian novel. The word “patriot” and the phrase “educating on the Constitution and Bill of Rights” triggered heightened scrutiny from the most intrusive agency in the federal government.
The action at the bird feeder has been spectacular lately: Cardinals, finches, songbirds in impressive variety crowding around all day long in search of sustenance. It is truly gratifying …
Everyone presumes that Sen. Chuck Schumer, the media-hungry Democrat from New York, wants to be the next Senate majority leader. His performance in the negotiations over the Gang of Eight immigration plan should bolster his case for an eventual promotion.
Someone had to take the fall for President Barack Obama thoughtlessly drawing a “red line” threatening serious consequences if Syria used chemical weapons. It turns out that it is the president himself.
There were other issues that had potentially greater financial impact or will leave a more resolute imprint on people’s lives, such as Medicaid expansion and Common Core.
Oregon and Idaho each had to shut down three water gauges due to automatic budget cuts, known as sequestration. Watch how Idaho relies on these water gauges, from tracking drought conditions to determining stream levels for salmon.
Oregon and Idaho each had to shut down three water gauges due to automatic budget cuts, known as sequestration. Watch how Idaho relies on these water gauges, from tracking drought conditions to determining stream levels for salmon.
Commentary
Discussion
Gun law has some up in arms
By Maureen Hayden CNHI
State Sen. Jim Tomes is a patient man.
I know because I've witnessed his efforts to explain the reasoning behind a gun law he authored that has had some people up in arms. Tomes has agreed to countless interviews with reporters who wanted to talk to him about Indiana's firearms pre-emption law, which went into effect July 2011. He's disappointed with the results.
"Not once has it ever been reported accurately," he told me recently, after patiently correcting me for a mistake I'd made in a story about how the law will impact polling places this November.
The Tomes-authored bill prohibits local governments from enacting stricter gun laws than the firearms statutes set by the state. It also did away with local gun laws that were already in place. Tomes said his law was intended to align firearms regulations throughout Indiana.
"This is a huge step to protect lawful citizens who have a right to carry firearms," Tomes said after Gov. Mitch Daniels signed the bill into law. "Fathers and mothers who attain a license to protect themselves and their children should not have to fear being in jeopardy of violating a huge patchwork of firearms rules that are outside of state code and statutes."
It didn't go down that easy. Some local officials were infuriated that the law nullified ordinances that banned firearms in public places.
"Some people imagined that we were going to have people shooting up libraries and parks," Tomes said. "And that just hasn't happened."
Tomes has taken some tough hits in the press. I've written about the law (at least one time with error) but failed to tell readers about Tomes: That he's a Vietnam War veteran (having served with the much-storied 101st Airborne Division), that he's a former Teamster union steward, that he's active in his local church, and that he and his wife of 42 years have three grown children - including one who's in law enforcement and another in the National Guard.
Tomes' beliefs about guns are rooted in the Bill of Rights. He wonders why journalists seem quick to protect their First Amendment right to a free press, but seem so dismissive of his Second Amendment right to bear arms. If he had to do a count, he thinks he'd find a lot more scary gun stories, he said, than stories "about people who've used guns responsibly to protect themselves or their loved ones."
So Tomes patiently counsels gun owners to be mindful of that. His law protects the rights of legal, licensed gun owners in Indiana to openly display their firearms in public places - including some polling places this November. But it's not what he advises - not by a long shot.
Two reasons why: First, he worries it would make them a target.
"If somebody comes in with a gun intending to harm people, who do you think he's going to shoot first?" Tomes said.
Second, because many people just aren't accustomed to the sight of a gun.
"It's common courtesy to keep them concealed," he said, "as to not excite unnecessary fear."
That's a courtesy, he said, his law won't undo.
"Most legal firearms carriers are responsible enough to extend this courtesy to fellow Hoosiers, carrying their firearms concealed as a demonstration of respect."
- Maureen Hayden covers the Statehouse for the CNHI newspapers in Indiana. She may be reached at maureen.hayden@indianamediagroup.com.
I’ve not kept it a secret that I find people who dress their dogs in clothes to be, to put it nicely, somewhat more than just eccentric. And many friendly, helpful readers out there have not kept it a secret that they really wish I would not express my views about dogs dressed as humans.
May 17, 2013
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
May 17, 2013
The federal government recently announced new regulations for buying fast food.
May 17, 2013
It sounds like the plot from a dystopian libertarian novel. The word “patriot” and the phrase “educating on the Constitution and Bill of Rights” triggered heightened scrutiny from the most intrusive agency in the federal government.
May 17, 2013
The action at the bird feeder has been spectacular lately: Cardinals, finches, songbirds in impressive variety crowding around all day long in search of sustenance. It is truly gratifying …
For my neighbor.
That’s what it’s like at his feeder.
May 14, 2013
On April 27, Dr. Jeff Butts demonstrated a rare form of servant leadership as he participated in the Go Love Indy westside service project.
May 13, 2013
Everyone presumes that Sen. Chuck Schumer, the media-hungry Democrat from New York, wants to be the next Senate majority leader. His performance in the negotiations over the Gang of Eight immigration plan should bolster his case for an eventual promotion.
May 13, 2013
Someone had to take the fall for President Barack Obama thoughtlessly drawing a “red line” threatening serious consequences if Syria used chemical weapons. It turns out that it is the president himself.
May 13, 2013
There were other issues that had potentially greater financial impact or will leave a more resolute imprint on people’s lives, such as Medicaid expansion and Common Core.
May 13, 2013
It happens every year at this time; I make a little dandelion whine. So here goes.
May 10, 2013
Follow me on Twitter
Will you be attending this year's Indy 500?
Tires
Telecommunications
Beauty Salons
Government
Oregon and Idaho each had to shut down three water gauges due to automatic budget cuts, known as sequestration. Watch how Idaho relies on these water gauges, from tracking drought conditions to determining stream levels for salmon.
May 15, 2013 1 Photo
Complete Report:
Part I: Are We Prepared? | Part II: Disaster Dollars
Part III: Lessons Learned | Part IV: Warning Signs
Part V: The Big One
When it comes to midsized family sedans, the Kia Optima ranks high on my list for its good looks, economy and value.
May 17, 2013 1 Photo
Oregon and Idaho each had to shut down three water gauges due to automatic budget cuts, known as sequestration. Watch how Idaho relies on these water gauges, from tracking drought conditions to determining stream levels for salmon.
May 15, 2013 1 Photo
Complete Report:
Part I: Are We Prepared? | Part II: Disaster Dollars
Part III: Lessons Learned | Part IV: Warning Signs
Part V: The Big One
Restaurants in avon
Tires in avon
Telecommunications in avon
Pizza Restaurants in avon
Beauty Salons in avon
Government in avon
Click for More
Powered by Local.com
Site Map
© 2013 Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. · CNHI Classified Advertising Network · CNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2013. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope. Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
Privacy Policy | AP News Registry privacy policy
Terms and Conditions
Advertiser Index
Hendricks County Flyer, Avon, IN 8109 Kingston St., Suite 500 Avon, IN 46123