Summary:
We petition for the revocation of the Indiana Firearms Pre-Emption law that will return our local right to choose where and when it is acceptable to bring machine guns and semi-automatic weapons.

We also petition the City of Bloomington to alter its parade entry rules to allow participation by local nonprofits, civic organizations, schools, and City and County entities that are located and operated within Monroe County, in essence disqualifying Panther Ridge from next year's event.

Petition:
On Monday, July 4th, the Bloomington 4th of July Parade was graced with a surprising entry: A series of vehicles and men armed with heavy machine guns and draped in rounds of ammunition. The commercial tactical shooting facility Panther Ridge of Solsberry, IN marched with copies of the Constitution to make a political statement resulting in making parade-attendees feel threatened and violated. The weapons were loaded, supposedly with "blanks," but for what purpose? These are the same guns used in multiple mass murders, ones that we teach our children to hide from in "lockdown" practices at school, and were now glorified at a family event. This type of display is unacceptable at a municipal event. We feel that the City of Bloomington must do something.

However, it is ILLEGAL for the City to pass a rule stating that guns may not be permitted in the Parade.

In 2011, the State of Indiana passed a law forbidding local governments from making any regulations of guns, ammunition, or their use publicly. "The law in question, known as Indiana’s Firearms Pre-Emption Law, prevents local political subdivisions from having their own firearms ordinances. When it went into effect in July 2011, it also did away with local laws that prevented legal gun owners from carrying their weapons into public places like libraries, parks, city halls, and fire stations. The law exempts courthouses and schools, where firearms may still be banned." (http://indianalawblog.com/archives/2012/09/ind_law_stories_2.html

Photo credit the Herald Times: http://www.heraldtimesonline.com/gallery/fourth-of-july-parade/collection_071ad53a-420e-11e6-b5d3-b78d6f4d605c.html#10