Nebraska: Omaha City Council Continues Anti-Gun Efforts in Wake of Statewide Preemption

On Tuesday, October 31^st, the Omaha City Council passed new resolutions to ban the possession of unfinished firearm kits within the city, and expressed their support of Mayor Jean Stothert’s Executive Order to prohibit carrying firearms on all city-operated property. 

Many Second Amendment advocates were present at the city council meeting to express their concern over the Mayor’s Executive Order and the proposed anti-gun resolutions considered at the meeting. Their advocacy helped to delay a vote on a city-wide ban on bump stocks, but the council elected to ignore much of their testimony to pass the ban of unfinished firearm kits and double-down on the support of the Mayor’s Executive Order.

Mayor Stothert’s Executive Order was issued on August 30^th, following the city council’s decision to strike all firearm prohibition ordinances to comply with the statewide preemption and constitutional carry law LB 77, which went into effect on September 2^nd. As with any “gun-free zone” ordinances, the implementation of this executive order is a clear assault on all law-abiding citizens who wish to take their safety into their own hands. Citizens who previously could take a walk on trails while legally armed will no longer be able to do so under this executive order, leaving them vulnerable to criminal elements operating with the knowledge that law-abiding citizens will now be disarmed in these areas.

Since our country’s inception, Americans have always been able to assemble privately made firearms for personal use, and modern firearms are no exception. The city council’s decision to prohibit law-abiding citizens from exercising this aspect of their Second Amendment Right is an affront to those who wish to lawfully enjoy gunsmithing projects for their own personal use.

The NRA encourages all members and other Second Amendment advocates to contact the Mayor’s Hotline by emailing [email protected] or calling 402-444-5555 to express your concern with the mayor’s executive order and the impact it will have on law-abiding citizens. Please stay tuned to the NRA-ILA website and your inbox for further updates regarding the ongoing challenges in Omaha.