Another gun bill introduced in Nevada Senate
CARSON CITY — A sweeping gun bill was introduced in the Nevada Senate on Wednesday, seeking a wide range of legal changes from justifiable homicide to precluding people convicted of domestic violence from having firearms.
Senate Bill 175, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Michael Roberson, R-Henderson, also would loosen Nevada’s reciprocity laws with other states regarding concealed weapon permits and repeal a handgun registration requirement in Clark County, a local ordinance that has been in existence for more than six decades.
Further, it would establish “state control over the regulation of policies concerning firearms,” and allow anyone “adversely affected” by local ordinances or regulations that violate the measure to sue for damages.
The measure would make it illegal for anyone convicted of domestic violence, even a misdemeanor offense, from owning a gun. A violation would constitute a felony. It also would prohibit anyone under an extended protection order from acquiring a gun while the order is in effect.
“We’re clamping down on domestic violence perpetrators,” Roberson told reporters after the bill’s introduction.
That provision is similar in concept to one talked about by Sen. Debbie Smith, D-Sparks. Smith has been absent from the session since it began Feb. 2 after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. She underwent surgery in Houston, where she remains for follow-up treatment.
But Senate Minority Leader Aaron Ford, D-Las Vegas, said SB175 lacks protections for women from stalkers that Smith’s bill draft concept seeks to address and leaves women vulnerable.
”I said it was an opportunity for bipartisanship, but bipartisanship is going to require the strongest law possible to protect survivors of domestic violence,” Ford said.
Democrats also say the Republican bill doesn’t require those under a protection order to surrender weapons they already possess.
Nevada currently recognizes concealed weapon permits issued by other states as long as their regulations are comparable to or more stringent than Nevada’s. At present, the Nevada Department of Public Safety maintains a list of similar states, which can only be included with the agreement of the Nevada Sheriff’s and Chiefs’ Association.
Bill co-sponsor Sen. James Settelmeyer, R-Minden, said researching and updating the list was burdensome and the law enforcement association favored doing away with it.
SB175 would get rid of the list and says Nevada will recognize any other state’s concealed weapon permit.
“We worked with law enforcement on this bill,” Roberson said.
The bill also would expand the definition of justifiable homicide to include killing someone in defense of a motor vehicle or against anyone who intends to enter a vehicle to assault someone inside.
Another section would give civil liability protection for someone who uses justifiable force.
“We’re not at all confident that that expansion is necessary or appropriate,” Ford said, adding it’s “separate and apart” from the core issue of domestic violence.
Contact Sandra Chereb at schereb@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901. Find her on Twitter: @SandraChereb.
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