INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Indiana legislative employees would be allowed to carry handguns inside the Statehouse under a bill approved by a state Senate committee.

Current state regulations ban deadly weapons from the Statehouse and the nearby state office buildings, while allowing exceptions for police officers, members of the General Assembly and judges.

Bill sponsor Republican Sen. Jim Tomes of Wadesville says legislative staffers often leave work after dark and believes that they should be able to protect themselves.

Democratic Sen. Greg Taylor of Indianapolis opposed the proposal, saying he was concerned about allowing more weapons inside the Statehouse.

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 6-3 on Wednesday to advance the bill to the full Senate.