Brazil, In. – Questions about Indiana’s new “constitutional carry law” were considered by the Brazil Board of Public Works and Safety on Wednesday. 

During Police Chief Clint McQueen’s monthly report, he was questioned about the new law that was signed by Gov. Eric Holcomb and is set to go into effect on July 1. 

Among the issues discussed were:

• Felons are not supposed to be able to buy guns. Licensed dealers have to run a check on the buyer but private sellers, such as at flea markets, have no way of knowing if a buyer is a felon. 
• Permits will still be available. When a Hoosier carries his firearm across state lines, he will need a permit, McQueen said. However, in the past, Illinois did not recognize Indiana gun permits. 
• An issue that will probably be debated in the future is whether the owner of private property can legally prohibit guns and whether store owners can legally prohibit customers from carrying guns, McQueen said.

“The only person (the law) will help are the people who probably shouldn’t get one anyway,” said Mayor Brian Wyndham. 

The police chief also gave his February police activity report:

• There were 598 calls for service. The number of calls will probably double in March as the weather gets warmer. 
• Incident reports: 67
• Arrests: 25
• Tickets: 28
• Warnings: 73
• Crashes: 12
• Vehicle Impounds: 15

In other business: A bridge on U.S. 40 east of Brazil will be replaced with a culvert by INDOT. 

After the meeting, Mayor Wyndham said the bridge has been deteriorating and this has been an ongoing issue. 

A water line will have to be moved. 

The INDOT project is expected to cost $873,000. An agreement with INDOT will cost the city $273,000 but “It has to be done,” said City Councilman Steve Bell during the meeting. 

Financing is expected to be approved by the City Council using part of the $1.8 million CARES Act discretionary money. 

“We had our eyes on other projects but this has to be done,” Bell said. 

Also, the Water Distribution Department was given permission to shop for a box truck and a new storage building.