Desertdog
Member
Concealed weapons measure has strong support
http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/art...nebraska/12a20c5949c40c5d862570e7000e3df5.txt
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- The fight to allow Nebraskans to carry concealed weapons is now a decade old, but Sen. Jeanne Combs believes it will be passed in the upcoming legislative session.
Combs, a card-carrying member of the National Rifle Association, introduced her concealed-weapons measure (LB454) last year.
It was passed out of committee and sent to the floor for debate, but with the legislative session waning, she made a deal with Speaker Kermit Brashear of Omaha to pull the measure from the agenda.
In return, Brashear committed to scheduling the concealed weapons measure "for full and fair debate" at the beginning of the looming session, which starts Wednesday.
"I look forward to that discussion and debate and fully expect that the bill will be enacted by the Legislature and signed into law by the governor," Combs said.
In an Associated Press pre-session survey, 26 of 49 senators said they would favor allowing Nebraskans to carry concealed weapons, while five said they were leaning that way. Eight were opposed to the idea and two were leaning that way. Four were undecided and three did not answer the question. One senator did not participate in the survey.
Thirty-eight states have some form of concealed weapons laws, according to the NRA.
Combs' measure has 23 co-sponsors, but it's not assured of passage.
Supporters of the idea have been trying to get such a measure passed since 1996.
Former Sen. Gene Tyson of Norfolk introduced such a measure in 2003. It was advanced to second-round debate but never returned to the agenda -- later dying because of a rule that gives legislation a two-year shelf-life to be passed.
A concealed weapons measure was first introduced in 1996, and the 2003 vote marked the first time the bill had advanced in the Legislature since 1998. The bill that year cleared one of three rounds of debate before time ran out.
Supporters argue that being able to carry concealed weapons is a constitutional right. And they say the bill would merely put guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens who want to protect themselves against "bad guys" who already carry weapons.
"I believe the most fundamental of human rights is the right to protect one's self and family from physical harm," Combs said. "I wanted Nebraskans to have available the same self-protection option available to residents of 44 other states -- the ability to qualify for and receive a permit to carry a concealed handgun on their person in venues where it is not otherwise prohibited."
Gov. Dave Heineman supports the concept of legalizing the carrying of concealed weapons but has not taken a position on Combs' bill.
The bill would require applicants for a concealed weapon permit to pass a background check and complete a handgun training and safety course. The permit would cost $100 and be valid for five years. Convicted felons would not be allowed to get a permit.
Concealed weapons would not be allowed in a variety of places, including bars, police stations, public meetings, athletic events, schools, churches, hospitals and banks. Signs also could be posted prohibiting the carrying of concealed weapons in other locations.
It is estimated that licenses could be granted to more than 64,000 people in Nebraska.
On the Net:
Nebraska Legislature: http://www.unicam.state.ne.us/
http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/art...nebraska/12a20c5949c40c5d862570e7000e3df5.txt
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- The fight to allow Nebraskans to carry concealed weapons is now a decade old, but Sen. Jeanne Combs believes it will be passed in the upcoming legislative session.
Combs, a card-carrying member of the National Rifle Association, introduced her concealed-weapons measure (LB454) last year.
It was passed out of committee and sent to the floor for debate, but with the legislative session waning, she made a deal with Speaker Kermit Brashear of Omaha to pull the measure from the agenda.
In return, Brashear committed to scheduling the concealed weapons measure "for full and fair debate" at the beginning of the looming session, which starts Wednesday.
"I look forward to that discussion and debate and fully expect that the bill will be enacted by the Legislature and signed into law by the governor," Combs said.
In an Associated Press pre-session survey, 26 of 49 senators said they would favor allowing Nebraskans to carry concealed weapons, while five said they were leaning that way. Eight were opposed to the idea and two were leaning that way. Four were undecided and three did not answer the question. One senator did not participate in the survey.
Thirty-eight states have some form of concealed weapons laws, according to the NRA.
Combs' measure has 23 co-sponsors, but it's not assured of passage.
Supporters of the idea have been trying to get such a measure passed since 1996.
Former Sen. Gene Tyson of Norfolk introduced such a measure in 2003. It was advanced to second-round debate but never returned to the agenda -- later dying because of a rule that gives legislation a two-year shelf-life to be passed.
A concealed weapons measure was first introduced in 1996, and the 2003 vote marked the first time the bill had advanced in the Legislature since 1998. The bill that year cleared one of three rounds of debate before time ran out.
Supporters argue that being able to carry concealed weapons is a constitutional right. And they say the bill would merely put guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens who want to protect themselves against "bad guys" who already carry weapons.
"I believe the most fundamental of human rights is the right to protect one's self and family from physical harm," Combs said. "I wanted Nebraskans to have available the same self-protection option available to residents of 44 other states -- the ability to qualify for and receive a permit to carry a concealed handgun on their person in venues where it is not otherwise prohibited."
Gov. Dave Heineman supports the concept of legalizing the carrying of concealed weapons but has not taken a position on Combs' bill.
The bill would require applicants for a concealed weapon permit to pass a background check and complete a handgun training and safety course. The permit would cost $100 and be valid for five years. Convicted felons would not be allowed to get a permit.
Concealed weapons would not be allowed in a variety of places, including bars, police stations, public meetings, athletic events, schools, churches, hospitals and banks. Signs also could be posted prohibiting the carrying of concealed weapons in other locations.
It is estimated that licenses could be granted to more than 64,000 people in Nebraska.
On the Net:
Nebraska Legislature: http://www.unicam.state.ne.us/
