Nevada: Assembly Judiciary Votes to Cede Authority To Pass Stricter Gun Laws To Counties

On April 12^th, the Nevada Assembly Committee on Judiciary voted to approve Assembly Bill 291 with amendments and Assembly Bill 153 with technical amendments.  The amendments were not made publicly available until just prior to the 8AM hearing, giving Nevadans no opportunity to read and express their concerns with legislators on the committee.  The bills will now head to the Assembly floor where they will be eligible for a floor vote next week.  Please contact your Assembly member and urge them to OPPOSE AB 291 and AB 153.  Click the “Take Action” button to contact your Assembly Member.

Assembly Bill 291, introduced by Assemblywoman Sandra Jauregui (D-41), is omnibus anti-gun legislation that is a threat to both law-abiding gun owners residing in Nevada and those who are visiting.  Most notably, AB 291:

• Allows Local Gun Control Laws: Nevada's firearm preemption laws have been on the books since 1989 and have been improved over the years to ensure consistency in firearm laws throughout the state, by occupying the field of firearm related regulations with the State Legislature.  With the amendments to AB 291, the legislature is ceding authority to the counties to pass stricter gun control laws without limitation.  This move could result in a confusing patchwork of laws for both residents and visitors to navigate while subjecting Nevadans in one county to a different set of rules and regulations regarding their constitutional rights than to a person in a neighboring county. 
• Criminalizes Certain Firearm Modifications: With the amendments, this legislation remains broader than existing federal regulations, criminalizing certain modifications on semi-automatic firearms.  Violations of this section will result in felony penalties. 
• Expands the ability for localities to create “gun-free zones:” These arbitrary boundaries only disarm law-abiding citizens and leave them defenseless against the criminals who ignore such restrictions.

Assembly Bill 153, introduced by Assembly Member Ozzie Fumo (D-21), would expand Nevada's current law regulating firearm storage that could make firearms unavailable for self-defense.

Again, please click the “Take Action” button to contact your Assembly member and urge them to OPPOSE AB 291 and AB 153.