Indiana voters will decide next month whether to follow 19 other states in adopting a constitutional amendment to protect the right to hunt and fish.

Animal rights groups are expressing concern over the new ballot measure, arguing it is unnecessary and potentially harmful.

The National Rifle Association, which helped author the amendment and similar legislation in other states, says it will help solve a problem before it happens, rather than waiting for it to arise.

Director of Research for the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action Todd Adkins says following push-back from various anti-hunting groups in the 1980s and 90s, the NRA felt there needed to be legislation addressing the issue.

"Over the last 20 or so years, Indiana is on the ballot this year, we've been promoting this issue, pushing for this issue, to protect what is this rich tradition of hunting and fishing in this country," Adkins says.

Opponents of the measure, such as Indiana Senior State Director for the Humane Society of the United States Erin Huang and Senior Policy Director at the Hoosier Environmental Council Tim Maloney, have concerns that passing this legislation as a constitutional amendment might have unintended consequences.

"We don't anticipate that the DNR is going to change their practices if this is adopted," Maloney says. "The concern is that interest who want to have unrestrained practiced of fishing and hunting would challenge reasonable restrictions adopted by the state of Indiana."

Guests:

Tim Maloney, Senior Policy Director at the Hoosier Environmental Council

Todd Adkins, Director of Research for the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action

Erin Huang, Indiana Senior State Director for the Humane Society of the United States