With election day nearing, it’s important to know your rights at the polls. A recent state law gives a much clearer pictures of the rights of gun owners on Nov. 6. “I think self defense is something everyone should exercise,” President of Students for Self Defense Rights Wesley Allen said. “It’s good you can exercise self defense at Walmart, or exercise it going to the polling locations.” Allen, along with other gun rights activists, are excited to to exercise their right to bear firearms at the polls Nov. 6. That is because a law signed in July 2011 allows any licensed gun owner to openly carry their gun at any polling location in Indiana, except for polls in schools and courthouses.
“The issue was being able to defend yourself wherever you are,” Allen said. “So, if you went to a city park, and you weren’t from the city, and you didn’t know where you could defend yourself. Maybe yes, maybe no. Am I going to go to jail if I try to defend myself?”
The law overrides any local law that banned weapons in certain public areas. Tippecanoe County Board of Elections Co-Director Amy Wenrick said the county doesn’t have any polling locations at schools or in the courthouse. She says members of the board are working to make sure workers at the polls know the law.
Full Article: New law allows guns at polling places| WLFI- Tippecanoe County, Indiana.