2011 Nevada Legislative Session a Win for Nevada Gun Owners

The 2011 Nevada Legislature adjourned on June 6 with a number of pro-gun bills advancing during the 120-day session.

On May 12, Assembly Bill 217 was signed into law by Governor Brian Sandoval.  Introduced by Assemblyman John Ellison (R-33), AB 217 allows residents of non-contiguous states to purchase long guns in Nevada.  It also allows Nevada residents to purchase long guns in non-contiguous states.  This legislation brings Nevada in line with the protections provided by the Firearms Owners Protection Act, which allows for the interstate sale of long guns by federally licensed firearms dealers.  AB 217 goes into effect on July 1, 2011.

On May 31, Assembly Bill 143 was signed into law by Governor Sandoval.  Sponsored by Assemblyman David Bobzien (D-24), AB 143 is a two-tiered measure that incorporates key issues important to gun owners.  It allows for the use of any semi-automatic pistol and any revolver to qualify for a CCW permit.  AB 143 also ensures that the identity of Concealed Carry Weapons (CCW) permit holders is kept confidential.  AB 143 goes into effect on October 1, 2011.

Assembly Bill 321, introduced by Speaker John Oceguera (D-16), was signed into law by Governor Sandoval on May 19.  AB 321 provides that under the defense of justifiable homicide there is no duty to retreat if the person using deadly force: 1) is not the original aggressor; 2) has a right to be present at the location where deadly force is used; and 3) is not actively engaged in criminal activity at the time deadly force is used.  AB 321 goes into effect on October 1, 2011.

Currently, Assembly Bill 282 by Speaker John Oceguera (D-16) is awaiting enrollment before being delivered to Governor Sandoval for approval.  AB 282 passed in the state Senate on May 26 with a 21 to 0 vote.  While this bill was initially problematic due to NRA-opposed language being inserted on the Assembly floor, this four-point omnibus gun bill was re-written in a joint legislative conference committee to the benefit of Nevada's CCW permit holders.  While two of the four issues in AB 282 have already been signed into law via AB 143, the other two will be implemented should the Governor sign into law AB 282.

AB 282 is a pro-gun omnibus measure that would:

1. ensure that Concealed Carry Weapons (CCW) permit holders’ names and addresses remain confidential;
2. revise Nevada state law to allow the carrying of any semi-automatic pistol, like you can with a revolver, once you have qualified for a CCW permit with a semi-automatic pistol;
3. allow carrying of firearms in Nevada state parks; and
4. statutorily mandate a background investigation (which is currently being done by all Nevada sheriffs) for CCW permit renewals for the purpose of reinstating the National Instant Background Check System (NICS) exemption for Nevada, thus ensuring that permit holders do not have to go through a point-of-contact check for every firearm purchased, as long as the CCW permit is valid.

Senate Bill 231, the Nevada Campus Protection Act introduced by state Senator John Lee (D-1), failed to pass this session.  Assemblyman William Horne (D-34), chairman of the Assembly Judiciary Committee, refused to bring SB 231 up for a vote, despite the fact that the NRA had secured the votes to get it out of committee and on to the floor.  The Nevada Sheriffs and Chiefs Association, in cooperation with the Nevada System of Higher Education, increased their lobbying efforts as soon as they heard that the NRA had the votes to pass SB 231, which resulted in the chairman using his influence to not call for a committee vote on it.  We will continue our efforts on campus carry during the 2013 legislative session.

Thank you to all who contacted their elected officials this session.  You really do make a difference!