Nebraska: Governor Signs Pro-Gun Legislation into Law

Yesterday, Governor Pete Ricketts signed pro-gun omnibus legislation, Legislative Bill 236 into law.  The measure was unanimously passed out of the legislature last week after being amended to include language from three separate pro-gun bills.

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

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

This bill generates 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.

• Changes 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. 

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

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

Thank you to Governor Pete Ricketts, bills sponsors, and those legislators who supported this and other pro-gun measures throughout the Legislative Process. Also, thank you to NRA Members and Second Amendment supporters for staying in contact with your lawmakers on these important issues.