Indiana legislators will study doing away with firearms licenses.

State Rep Jim Lucas, a Seymour Republican, says he opposes the government regulating and charging Hoosiers a licensing fee to use a basic American right. Lucas proposed legislation that would remove the requirement for a license for either an openly carried or concealed firearm. He calls the measure constitutional carry.

Under Lucas’ proposal, people who have felony convictions, are under 18 years old or otherwise not legally permitted to carry a firearm would remain ineligible.

“As citizens we have the constitutional right to keep and bear arms, and I believe we shouldn’t have to pay for a government license to exercise that right,” Lucas said. “I am excited for the discussion we will have this summer, educating people on their constitutional right and stopping the misinformation about what constitutional carry does and does not do.”

Lucas said that the General Assembly will study the issue during its summer recess and take testimony from the public. Gov. Eric Holcomb approved Lucas’ proposal to study the issue.