Las Vegas protesters criticize Heller’s stance on gun background checks

Demonstrators rallied outside the federal building in Las Vegas on Saturday to protest U.S. Sen. Dean Heller’s vote against more extensive background checks for gun purchasers.

Speakers accused the Nevada Republican of caving in to pressure from the National Rifle Association and ignoring the majority of Nevadans who support the expanded background checks.

Johnathan Abbinett, a longtime hunter and gun owner, urged the crowd of about 150 at the “Shame on You” protest not to give up the fight for gun control embraced by families of victims of last winter’s school massacre in Newtown, Conn.

“The NRA lobby lied and bullied Dean Heller,” Abbinett said. “This wasn’t about taking away or even registering guns; it was about making sure the only people who can purchase a weapon are safe. That’s the vast majority of people.”

Heller communications director Chandler Smith did not immediately respond to a message for comment.

Protesters marched and waved placards at passing motorists . One protester dressed as a chicken held a sign reading, “Dean Heller is Chicken.” Others waved placards reading, “It’s Still Easier to Buy a Gun than to Cancel Your Gym Membership.”

On Wednesday, Senate Republicans backed by a few rural-state Democrats rejected tighter background checks for buyers. The vote on the background check was 54-46, short of the 60 votes needed to advance. Under current law, checks are required only when guns are purchased from federally licensed firearms dealers. The proposal called for extending the requirement to other sales at gun shows and on the Internet.