NRA-ILA NEVADA LEGISLATION GUN-RELATED BILLS

Nevada: Update on Gun-Related Bills

Assembly Bill 100, introduced by Assemblyman John Ellison (R-33), aims to protect the constitutional rights of Nevadans by requiring legal action by the Attorney General if, at the direction of the Governor or in the opinion of the Attorney General, Nevadans' Second Amendment rights have been infringed through executive order.  AB 100 passed the Nevada Assembly last week with a 27-14 vote and has been sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee for further consideration. Assembly Bill 136, introduced by Assemblyman John Ellison (R-33), would recognize the right of archery hunters to carry a firearm for personal protection.  While afield, hunters may face threats from large predators or violent crime, and the limitations of archery equipment can leave a hunter helpless.  There is simply no reason why a hunter using a bow and arrow should lose his or her ability, and therefore right, to personal protection.  AB 136 would also allow for reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities to complete hunter’s safety courses.  AB 136 unanimously passed the Assembly and has been sent to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources for further consideration. Assembly Bill 139, introduced by Assemblyman Jim Wheeler (R-39), makes changes to the existing concealed weapons laws to authorize a non-resident who possesses a valid permit issued by another state to carry a concealed firearm in Nevada.  AB 139 passed the Assembly with a 24-17 vote and was sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee for further consideration. Assembly Bill 148, introduced by Assemblywoman Michele Fiore (R-4), would revise concealed weapons laws to expand areas where concealed carry permit holders can lawfully carry.  AB 148 passed the Assembly with a 24-15 vote and has been sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee for further consideration. Assembly Bill 167, introduced by Assemblywoman Michele Fiore (R-4), would make changes to current Nevada law regarding law-abiding gun owners storing and carrying firearms and ammunition on the premises of a family foster home and with foster children.  AB 167 would authorize law-abiding gun owners to store firearms and ammunition on the premise of a foster home in a locked secure storage container.  Further, it would allow an individual to carry a firearm on their person off the property, in the presence of a child, if they possess a permit to carry concealed.  AB 167 passed the Assembly with a 26-15 vote and has been sent to the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services for further consideration. Assembly Bill 352, introduced by Assemblyman John Ellison (R-33), as amended, allows for the carrying of a concealed firearm in a public building by a permit holder unless that building has both a metal detector and a sign at each public entrance indicating that no firearms are allowed in the building.  AB 352 passed the Assembly with a 26-14 vote and has been sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee for further consideration. Assembly Bill 357, introduced by Assemblywoman Fiore, authorizes certain individuals who are prohibited from possessing firearms to petition the district court for the restoration of the right to own, possess, and control a firearm.  AB 357 passed the Assembly with a 41-1 vote and has been sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee for further consideration. Assembly Bill 404, also introduced by Assemblywoman Fiore, would require the chief law enforcement officer of a jurisdiction to certify the transfer or making of a firearm, as required by the National Firearms Act, within 15 days if the person is not prohibited from receiving or possessing a firearm by law. This legislation also permits an applicant to appeal a denial to the district court.  AB 404 also provides that if an individual submits an application for renewal of a concealed carry permit before the expiration date, the permit remains valid until the sheriff grants or denies the application.  AB 404 also allows for new residents to carry concealed with their valid out-of-state permit until their application for a Nevada concealed carry permit is approved or denied.  AB 404 passed the Assembly with a 35-7 vote and has been sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee for further consideration. Senate Bill 175, is an omnibus gun bill which improves concealed carry recognition and revises self-defense laws.  Most importantly, SB 175 would greatly improve Nevada’s preemption law and abolish handgun registration in Clark County.  SB 175 was successfully passed through the Senate and was heard in the Assembly Judiciary Committee on Thursday, April 23. Senate Bill 398, introduced by Senator Mo Denis (D-2), would prohibit the sale, offer for sale, lease, purchase, trade, barter, distribution or transfer of possession of ivory or ivory product in Nevada, absent limited exceptions.  As previously reported, SB 398 was heard in the Senate Committee on Commerce, Labor and Energy where it failed to meet the deadline for passage in the Senate. Senate Joint Resolution 11, sponsored by state Senator Scott Hammond (R-18), proposes an amendment to the Nevada constitution that establishes an individual right to hunt, trap and fish in The Silver State.  SJR 11 would ensure that wildlife conservation and management decisions continue to be based on sound science in order to preserve Nevada’s hunting heritage and to protect it against future attacks from well-funded, anti-hunting organizations.  SJR 11 successfully passed through the Senate and was heard on Thursday, April 23, in the Assembly Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Mining Committee.  In order to be put before voters on the ballot, this bill must pass two consecutive legislative sessions. This is the first step to amending the Nevada Constitution to protect Nevadan’s right to hunt, trap and fish. Please stay tuned to your email inbox and www.nraila.org for further updates on gun-related bills as they progress through the Nevada Legislature.