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Potential bill introduced to protect children against unsecured guns in Indiana

State Rep. Mitch Gore says he's is introducing a bill to prevent children from getting their hands on guns and putting the responsibility on the gunowners.

INDIANAPOLIS — Four-year-old Deor Neita was accidentally shot and killed over the summer by her 5-year-old brother inside their Cumberland apartment.

"It's something I, unfortunately, have to live with for the rest of my life, is knowing that. As well as the family and the community that was all exposed to this," said Cumberland Police Department Patrol Capt. Michael Crooke II.

State Rep. Mitch Gore, D-District 89, said he's is in the process of introducing a bill to prevent children from getting their hands on guns and putting the responsibility on the gunowner.

"Essentially, it would say that if you're an adult and you know or you should know that a kid is going to be at home and you don't secure your firearm, that is a crime," said Gore.

He said he's brought items like this to the floor the past two years.

They failed both times.

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"If we want to say as a state that we take gun owner's rights seriously, we should also say that we take the responsibility of owning a gun seriously," said Gore.

State Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-District 32, said he's open to the "Safe Storage" bill, but with parameters.

"What would be appropriate in my house, having a 13-year-old and 11-year-old, would not be appropriate with somebody who is 70 and kids are not in their home anymore and they live alone," Freeman said.

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Gore said his bill also offers a lot of defenses for gun owners.

"It says if your child uses it for sports shooting or for hunting, which is a great Hoosier tradition, you have a defense," he said.

Gore attempted to make an amendment similar to the bill to the permitless carry law, but it was never heard.

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