Don't leave home without it.
Posted on 01/16/2006 11:44:59 AM PST by neverdem
Lawmakers on Thursday put Nebraskans one step closer to legally packing concealed handguns with a historic vote expected to lead to final approval.
After more than eight hours of debate stretching back to the last legislative session, senators broke a filibuster staged by opponents of the bill and promptly stamped it with first-round approval on a 33-11 vote. Twenty-five were needed.
Nebraska is one of four states in the country that does not allow residents to carry concealed handguns, and senators have tried for a decade to change what is an increasingly rare rule around the country.
“I can’t believe it’s over,” said Sen. Jeanne Combs of Milligan, who is carrying the controversial bill, LB454.
Combs was referring to the first round of debate. Senators will fine-tune the bill during the second round, when they are expected to focus on whether cities and villages should be allowed to supersede state law and prohibit concealed weapons if the bill is enacted.
“If we want to do concealed weapons … let’s make sure the legislation communicates very clearly how we want the rest of the state to address concealed weapons,” said Sen. Mike Flood of Norfolk.
Confusion currently exists about whether the bill would force cities to abide by the proposed law, because a state statute now allows cities to prohibit people from carrying concealed weapons. Also, some city officials say they want to be able to set their own restrictions on concealed guns.
Sen. DiAnna Schimek argued that the confusion created “a huge concern” and that more public hearings should be held so city officials could provide input.
City officials already had their chance, responded Sen. Philip Erdman of Bayard.
“This bill has been 10 years in the making,” Erdman said.
Amendments that attempt to clear the confusion will be introduced, according to lawmakers.
Opponents of the bill say Nebraska will become a more dangerous place if residents are allowed to carry concealed handguns.
Supporters disagree, saying it could make the state safer by, among other things, requiring those carrying concealed handguns to take handgun-training courses.
Combs says many people already carry concealed weapons, including some she knows herself.
The bill would require applicants for a concealed-weapon permit to pass a background check and complete a handgun training and safety course. The permit would cost $100 and be valid for five years. Convicted felons would not be allowed to get a permit.
The Nebraska State Patrol would be charged with devising training standards for safety courses that Combs said could last between one and three days, per session. Some state law enforcement agencies, including the State Patrol, have taken a neutral stance on the bill.
But at least one, the Police Officers Association of Nebraska, has opposed conceal-carry bills in the past.
“A person right now can legally carry a weapon,” as long as it is openly displayed, such as in a car seat or holster attached to a belt, said Lt. Mike Swain of the North Platte Police Department, president of the group.
“What are the benefits of having a gun nobody can see?”
Somebody openly displaying a gun is less likely to be attacked than one who conceals a weapon, he argued. Under current state law, weapons are considered illegally concealed if they are not where officers can view them but are accessible to their owners, according to Capt. Rhonda Lahm of the Nebraska State Patrol.
Asked what residents fearful of the proposed law should do or know to ease their concerns, Combs replied: “Call law enforcement in the other 46 states that have it.”
Longtime Sen. Jim Jensen of Omaha, who voted for the bill and is a gun owner but doesn’t plan on carrying a concealed gun, said first-round approval was gained for two reasons.
“Senator Combs did a very good job and we have new senators we didn’t have before,” Jensen said. “It’s the makeup of the body.”
Reach Nate Jenkins at 473-7223 or njenkins@journalstar.com.
“What are the benefits of having a gun nobody can see?”
Somebody openly displaying a gun is less likely to be attacked than one who conceals a weapon, he argued.
Or be the first target in an armed robbery. Dumbass.
We should all walk around carrying thigh holstered Glocks in the US...would give Jihadis something to think about. Ha!
there's a reason cops are shot with their own guns more often than civilians who pack heat.
To keep the bad guys guessing, I would suppose.
That, and so you don't panic the sheeple herds who have been conditioned to go fetal at the mere sight of a firearm.
Don't leave home without it.
BTTT
An armed society is a polite society.
Throw in some body armor and mandatory firearm, combat, training...and wallah, you get a militarized citizenry...locked, cocked, and ready to rock. A thought.
Man... that woulda been great back in High School. Volley ball/square dancing for PhysEd... or tactical/combat drills.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness..." - DoI
Here is my duly ratified guarantee that neither Federal nor State's governments will interfere with my choice of arms or how I carry them.
Amendment II
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Laws to the contrary may be considered a breach of contract.
Having another dozen or so states on a may-issue instead of a shall-issue policy isn't noticably better than no-issue at all.
Working on that.
In HS, ROTC did that...but no one else did. It would be great if we had that option...considering all the Chicomms/Nocomms do along with all the behavior modification classes.
It's illegal here to even think about carrying concealed. (Illinois)
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