Marion County Prosecutor Mears Responds to Governor Braun

MARION COUNTY, Ind.–Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears responded on Friday to comments made this week by Indiana Governor Mike Braun about crime that has been happening in Indianapolis.

Braun says he is considering state intervention on Indianapolis if the city can’t do better in stopping violent crime.

“First of all, I have never once had a conversation with Governor Mike Braun. He has never reached out to me individually nor has he had any contact with the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office,” said Mears when speaking to reporters Friday.

He said recent legislation that was passed isn’t helping things.

“When you encourage everyone to have a gun, when you pass permitless carry, it should come as no surprise to anyone that those guns are gonna end up in the hands of kids,” Mears said. “And when you have no private regulation of gun sales, it should come as no surprise that those guns are gonna end up in the hands of kids.”

Mears says he is open to hearing from Governor Braun and working with him.

“I view everything through the prism of ‘Can we prevent crime and can we solve crime?’” Mears said. “And if the governor has suggestions on how that can be done here in Marion County, we’re happy to have that conversation. But also there’s a lot that he can do with the agencies that he is in charge of that interact daily with kids, not only in Marion County but around the state, where he could have a tremendous impact.”

Mears said his focus remains on prevention and accountability.