A Majority of Nevada Sheriffs Oppose Question One Gun Control Ballot Initiative

The majority of  Nevada sheriffs  this week came out in public opposition to Question One, a poorly written gun control initiative on the ballot this November. The top law enforcement officers are jumping into the political fray and working to defeat the gun control initiative, which is largely bankrolled by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Question One would impose new government mandates and fees on nearly all private transfers of firearms in Nevada.

"This is further evidence of the strong grassroots support for freedom in Nevada," said Robert Uithoven, NRA Nevadans for Freedom campaign director. "Our sheriffs have taken a close look at this ballot initiative and a majority of them have concluded it would not keep guns out of the hands of criminals. Instead, it would cost law-abiding citizens time, money, and freedom. Nevadans have long-embraced freedom, and we expect they will do so again on this issue."

The list of Nevada sheriffs who oppose Question One include:

                Ken Furlong - Carson City (County)

                Ben Trotter - Churchill County 

                Ron Pierini - Douglas County 

                Jim Pitts - Elko County 

                Keith Logan - Eureka County

                Ron Unger - Lander County

                Kerry Lee - Lincoln County 

                Al McNeil - Lyon County

                Sharon Wehrle - Nye County 

                Gerald Antinoro - Storey County

                Chuck Allen - Washoe County

                Mike Allen - Humboldt County 

                Dan Watts - White Pine County  

                Jerry Allen - Pershing County 

Nye County Sheriff Sharon Wehrly told the Associated Press that Question One makes it more difficult for law-abiding citizens to exercise their Second Amendment right to self-protection. “It merely places more restrictions on good people, will make it more difficult, and incur unnecessary costs for law-abiding citizens to manage their personal property." 

For example, if a close friend or fiancé wanted to go shooting on federal BLM land and borrow a firearm, they must appear jointly at a federally licensed firearms dealer, pay a fee, and undergo a federal background check. When finished, they must return to a licensed gun dealer and go through the whole process again. This is in addition to the background check both gun owners had to go through to initially buy their firearms.  If a member of the military gets deployed overseas, and wants a friend to store his or her firearms, the two would have to go through the same hassle – spending time, and money to comply with the government mandates.The initiative is equally poorly worded when it comes to gun transfers in cases of self-defense. For example, if a woman’s estranged husband or boyfriend is stalking or threatening her and she can’t afford a gun to protect herself, a friend could only loan her a gun at the very moment her ex is standing over her about to attack.  

"The core principle is not to infringe our right to keep and bear arms," said Washoe County Sherriff Chuck Allen at a recent sheriffs' meeting. "We need to focus on other issues like mental health, keeping firearms out of the hands of criminals, and not imposing more restrictions on law-abiding citizens."

 A new study done by the University of Pittsburgh backs up what Nevada sheriffs are saying about new gun control law. The study finds that nearly 8 in 10 gun crimes are committed with illegally-possessed guns. The Washington Post, which is usually in favor of more gun control laws, was forced to admit the findings “…reinforce a common refrain among gun rights advocacy groups. They argue that since criminals don't follow laws, new regulations on gun ownership would only serve to burden lawful owners while doing little to combat crime.”

NRA Nevadans for Freedom is leading a grassroots campaign in Nevada to defeat the Question One gun control initiative. The following grassroots leaders have joined the effort: Sheriff Ken Furlong (Carson City), Sheriff Ben Trotter (Churchill County), Sheriff Ron Pierini (Douglas County), Sheriff Jim Pitts, (Elko County), Sheriff Keith Logan (Eureka County), Sheriff Ron Unger (Lander County), Sheriff Kerry Lee (Lincoln County), Sheriff Al McNeil (Lyon County), Sheriff Sharon Wehrly (Nye County), Sheriff Gerald Antinoro (Storey County), Sheriff Chuck Allen (Washoe County), Sheriff Mike Allen (Humboldt County), Senator James Settelmeyer (Minden), Senator Don Gustavson (Sparks), Niger Innis (Nevadans for State Gun Rights), Art & Cindi Clark (parents of murdered son). 

For more on what what Nevadans are saying about Question One, click here.

For more information on how Question 1 will cost Nevadans time, money, and freedom, go to www.votenoquestion1.com 

Paid for by NRA Nevadans for Freedom.