Portage shooting won't influence governor's decision

INDIANAPOLIS | Gov. Mitch Daniels said his decision on whether to sign legislation allowing Hoosiers to keep guns in their cars while at work will not be influenced by a Portage shooting earlier this month.

"I don't think you make a decision like this based on any one instance or set of facts like that," Daniels said.

Edgar Tillery, 60, is accused of walking outside the Indiana Department of Workforce Development office where he worked, getting a 12-gauge shotgun from his car and shooting out the glass office door. Tillery reportedly was upset about a poor job performance review.

The day before the March 5 shooting, the Indiana General Assembly gave final approval to legislation allowing workers to keep guns locked in their cars at work, regardless of whether employers want guns on their property.

During the debate, state Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary, predicted that if the measure became law, workplace shootings would become more common, as guns are more accessible stored in a car at work than if kept at home.

"If you get in a moment when you're angry and you get a few moments to cool off, you might not do some of the things you might want to do," Smith said.

But the Republican governor said the right to keep guns is protected by the U.S. Constitution.

"You have a black-letter constitutional right involved. So if it should be infringed, any such right, it should be infringed only for the most compelling of reasons," Daniels said.

The governor's office has received more than 4,000 letters, e-mails and faxes since the General Assembly approved the guns in cars at work legislation, including communications from Hoosier businesses. More than 80 percent of all the messages have recommended signing it, said Daniels spokesman Brad Rateike.

Daniels said he wants to carefully read the actual text of the proposal before making a decision.

However, when asked separately if he plans to veto any legislation approved by the 2010 General Assembly, Daniels said, "At the present time, I think it's doubtful that I will."

Clock ticking: Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels has received House Bill 1065, a measure allowing guns in cars at work. He has until Sunday to sign the legislation, allow it to become law without his signature or veto the measure.