INDIANAPOLIS – Young gun-safety advocates clashed with an avowed gun-rights lawmaker at the Indiana statehouse on Tuesday, in an exchange that featured a brief flash of a holstered handgun.
The students and a chaperone told The Statehouse File they felt threatened after Rep. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour, opened his coat and flashed his handgun.
Lucas denied any intent to intimidate the students in comments to the Capital Chronicle on Wednesday.
“People that are carrying a gun are among us every day, everywhere, and I simply wanted to show them that I was one of those people,” he said. “There was no intimidation whatsoever … I did not put my hand on my firearm. I did not make any threats.”
Lawmakers and their staff are allowed to carry handguns in the Statehouse though citizens are not.
The students, from Muncie, were visiting the Statehouse for an annual gun safety rally.
In a video a student recorded, Lucas said that under high court decisions, police do not have a duty to protect a person from harm. That includes during school shootings. “That means you’re on your own … when it comes to protecting (yourself),” he said.
The visiting students went on to describe to Lucas their fear of school shootings, including false shooting threats. “We shouldn’t have to live in fear,” argued parent chaperone Alison Case.
About two minutes later into the conversation, he opened his jacket to reveal a handgun strapped to his torso, adding, “I’m carrying right now!”
“Nothing about that makes me feel safe, though,” one student responded.
The back-and-forth continued for about four minutes until Lucas grew visibly frustrated — calling the conversation “off the rails” — and walked away, wishing the group a good day.
It’s at least the second time Lucas has raised eyebrows by revealing that he carries. He also pled guilty to two misdemeanors last summer after crashing his vehicle while under the influence.
You can read the entire Indiana Capital Chronicle story here.
