CHICAGO — President Barack Obama's speech to a gathering of police chiefs Tuesday that suggested that Indiana's less-strict gun laws were contributing to Chicago's violence problem is angering some officials in the Hoosier state.
In an Indianapolis Star report, a spokesman for Indiana Gov. Mike Pence said Obama's remarks were "unfortunate and inaccurate."
State Sen. Tim Tomes (R-Wadesville) told the paper that Obama's comments were "absolutely ridiculous," adding "it doesn't matter where the guns come from."
"It's a societal problem in Chicago...I don't know what in the world Indiana could have to do with their inability to deal with their criminal activity," said Tomes.
The Star said Tomes has authored gun legislation, including one law that allowed the manufacture of sawed-off shotguns.
Obama told the police chiefs at McCormick Place, "As the Chicago Police Department will tell you, 60 percent of guns recovered in crimes come from out of state. You've just got to hop across the border."
Indy radio commentator Tony Katz fumed on his WIBC-AM show Wednesday, "Indiana is to blame? Wisconsin is to blame? Not a failed mayor like Rahm Emanuel? Instead of blaming the participants in the violence, you want to blame Hoosiers?"
"Chicago problems are cultural and Chicago problems exist because of constant failed leadership," Katz said. "Shame on the chiefs of police who didn't stand up in that room and leave."
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