Nebraska: Pro-Gun Omnibus Legislation Approved and Sent to the Governor

Today, the Nebraska Legislature gave final approval to pro-gun omnibus legislation, Legislative Bill 236.  Having previously been amended to include language from three separate pro-gun bills, this measure was passed by a 45-0-4 vote, and will now be sent to the desk of Governor Pete Ricketts.  Please contact Governor Ricketts and ask him to SIGN Legislative Bill 236.

Legislative Bill 236 is pro-gun omnibus legislative that accomplishes the below:

• Require Nebraska State Patrol to provide notice of expiration of CHP.

This bill would generate a renewal notification requirement to inform a CHP holder that their permit is due for renewal at least four months before expiration, by U.S. mail or electronic notice.

• Change provisions relating to carrying a concealed weapon.

This bill attempts to eliminate the impact of the Nebraska Supreme Court decision, which set a vehicle concealed carry precedent.  The decision stated that a firearm must be physically separated from an individual while in a vehicle, or the firearm was considered to be concealed and therefore illegally carried if you didn't have a valid CHP.  This would mean that those without a CHP would be unable to travel with their range bag and equipment in the back of an open-ended vehicle (without a trunk) because it would be considered carrying a concealed firearm illegally. Further, even having things like a filet knife in your fishing gear, or a steak knife in your lunchbox could be a chargeable offense of carrying a concealed weapon under this ruling. LB 236 clarifies the law by stating that, as long as a firearm is unloaded and stored in a case, a person who is not prohibited from possessing a firearm can transport that firearm to, or from, any location where it can be lawfully possessed, carried, and used. 

• Change permit renewal provisions of the Concealed Handgun Permit Act.

This bill would permit a CHP holder to renew an expired permit, if done so within 30 business days.

Again, please contact Governor Pete Ricketts and ask him to SIGN Legislative Bill 236 into law.