Legislators discouraged from attending NRA event in Las Vegas

CARSON CITY – The leader of ProgressNow Nevada has called on state legislators to boycott a meeting Saturday at a gun store and shooting range in Las Vegas where National Rifle Association lobbyists will talk about semi-automatic weapons and demonstrate their use.

Brian Fadie, executive director of the liberal leaning organization, said legislators already know from national NRA statements what the organization wants: No laws prohibiting assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, so there is no reason to attend the meeting, scheduled for 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Battlefield Vegas, 2771 Industrial Road.

"The NRA’s reaction to the Newtown (Connecticut) shooting (deaths of 20 children and six teachers) was more guns. They blamed everything but guns. We don’t believe the NRA’s position is unclear," Fadie said.

But Dan Reid, the state legislative lobbyist for the NRA, said his organization won’t be talking about any legislation Saturday, but instead just educating legislators on weapons. He said NRA planned the event long before the Newtown shooting, although it did not send out invitations until after Christmas.

"We will talk about weapons and answer any questions," Reid said. "It is unfortunate that someone wants to discourage people from being educated on the issue."

He said the NRA has been getting back messages from legislators who will attend, although he would not reveal numbers.

The meeting is closed to the news media. Legislators will be permitted to use weapons on the shooting range.

Fadie said ProgressNow Nevada’s position is that the Legislature needs to discuss outlawing assault weapons and high-capacity magazines and try to get all guns out of the hands of unstable people. The organization also opposes a bill by Assemblywoman Michele Fiore, R-Las Vegas, to reintroduce the bill to allow the carrying of concealed weapons on college and university campuses.

The bill passed the Senate 15-6 in 2011, but a final vote in the Assembly was blocked in the Judiciary Committee by Assemblyman William Horne, D-Las Vegas. Horne is now the majority leader.

"The assumption is in order to be safe in Nevada that people need to be carrying a gun at all times anyway," said Fadie, who noted that several Democrats have indicated they will not attend. "That is an extreme position to take and one most Nevadans oppose."

The Nevada State Law Enforcement Officers Association endorses the meeting, according to Reid. The group has members from 24 police agencies across the state. Its members might attend the Saturday meeting.

Contact Capital Bureau Chief Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901.