Rep. Ed Clere, R-New Albany, proposed an amendment that if a juvenile is caught in a misdemeanor crime, they aren’t charged as a felon for also having a handgun.

“We wouldn’t want to charge juveniles because they happen to have a handgun on them while committing a crime,” Clere said. “We just want to make sure that those minor offenses don’t have other implications for that juvenile as a result of this language.”

The bill’s author, Rep. Ben Smaltz, R-Auburn, supported Clere’s amendment.

“It should not elevate that child into a situation that is hard for them to recover,” Smaltz said.

Clare’s amendment passed while the other two failed.

Rep. Mitch Gore, D-Indianapolis, proposed an amendment on safely storing guns at home when owners aren’t present.

“I think that should be the standard for all Hoosiers,” Gore said. “Children access these unsecured guns in their home or the home of a family member.”

His amendment was blocked after House Speaker Todd Huston ruled that it was not germane to the bill.

Rep. Mike Andrade, D-Munster, proposed an amendment on discharging a firearm.

“Who knowingly discharges a firearm or intentionally discharges a loaded firearm without legal justification in a city or town commits a dangerous discharge,” Andrade said.

His amendment also was blocked for not being germane to the bill.

The bill was moved to the third reading for a final vote in the House. If passed, it would then go to the Senate for consideration.