Eleanor Finch
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen signed into law a bill that would allow Nebraskans over the age of 21 to carry concealed handguns without a permit. The bill, Legislative Bill 77 (LB 77), was introduced by Senator Tom Brewer and passed with a vote of 33-14. LB 77 recognizes the fundamental right of law-abiding adults to carry firearms for self-defense without navigating government regulations. While the bill faced opposition from some lawmakers and citizens, it marks a significant step in the state's commitment to the right to self-defense. The law is set to take effect in late August or early September, making Nebraska the 26th state to allow permitless concealed carry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bill Number | LB 77 |
| Bill Name | Legislative Bill 77, “LB 77” |
| Bill Sponsor | Sen. Tom Brewer |
| Bill Purpose | To allow people to carry concealed guns in the state without a permit |
| Bill Passage Vote Count | 33-14 |
| Bill Passage Date | Wednesday, April 19, 2023 |
| Bill Signed Into Law Date | Tuesday, April 25, 2023 |
| Governor | Jim Pillen |
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What You'll Learn
Nebraska becomes the 26th state to allow concealed guns without a permit
Nebraska has become the 26th state to allow its citizens to carry concealed guns without a permit. The bill, LB 77, was passed by the Nebraska Legislature on April 19, 2023, and will allow Nebraskans aged 21 and over to carry concealed weapons without a permit. The bill was introduced by Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon, who had been working on this legislation for nearly six years.
The passage of the bill was a long-awaited victory for Brewer, who had introduced similar bills every year since 2017. The bill faced opposition from several quarters, including the cities of Omaha and Lincoln, where the majority of gun violence occurs, and their police chiefs, who argued that the measure would make their cities less safe. Despite the opposition, the bill ultimately passed with a vote of 33-14, with supporters arguing that it upholds the constitutional right to bear arms.
The bill allows those over the age of 21 to conceal carry a handgun without needing to apply for a concealed carry permit. According to a press release, several other states have similar constitutional carry laws. Gov. Jim Pillen, who signed the bill into law, stated that "Nebraskans should not have to pay the government a fee or ask permission for constitutional rights."
The bill will take effect 90 days after the end of the legislative session, which is currently set for June 9, meaning it will likely come into force in late August or early September. While some Nebraskans celebrate this development as a victory for their constitutional rights, others worry about the potential impact on public safety, particularly in urban areas.
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LB 77 was passed with a 33-14 vote
LB 77, the Nebraska constitutional carry bill, was passed with a 33-14 vote. The bill, introduced by Senator Tom Brewer, allows law-abiding adults in the state to carry firearms for self-defense without needing to obtain a permit. This means that Nebraska becomes the 27th state to allow people to carry concealed guns without a permit.
The bill faced opposition from cities like Omaha and Lincoln, where most gun violence occurs, and their police chiefs. They argued that the measure would make their cities less safe. Despite this, the bill was passed by the Nebraska Legislature and later signed into law by Governor Jim Pillen.
Senator Brewer, an Army combat veteran, expressed his satisfaction with the bill's passage, stating that it upholds the constitutional right to carry guns. He also acknowledged the years-long opposition he faced while trying to pass the bill. LB 77 does not change the criteria for obtaining a carry permit and does not affect previously issued permits. Additionally, it strengthens preemption by giving the state legislature sole authority over firearm regulations, preventing counties and municipalities from passing conflicting local laws.
The passage of LB 77 is a significant development in Nebraska's gun legislation. It remains to be seen what impact this will have on public safety and gun violence in the state. While supporters of the bill argue that it upholds constitutional rights, opponents raise concerns about the potential risks associated with easing restrictions on firearm possession.
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The bill was opposed by Omaha and Lincoln
Nebraska's constitutional carry bill, LB 77, was opposed by Omaha and Lincoln, the state's two largest cities. Omaha and Lincoln police chiefs called the bill dangerous, arguing that it would make their cities less safe and reduce the penalties for carrying a concealed weapon during the commission of a crime.
Omaha Police Sgt. Brian Dembinski, a member of the Omaha Police Officer's Association, said that LB 77 "represents a significant threat to the personal safety of every police officer in the state." He argued that the bill removes the requirement for gun owners to notify law enforcement officers of a weapon's existence during encounters such as traffic stops, and removes increased penalties for failing to do so.
Lincoln Police Chief Teresa Ewins stated that the bill "jeopardizes the safety of our city." Omaha Chief Todd Schmaderer expressed similar concerns, saying that the proposal would eliminate important ordinances in Omaha that have helped reduce violent crime. He also noted that the Omaha Police Department seized more firearms in the previous year than any other year on record.
In addition to law enforcement opposition, several opponents of the bill in Omaha and Lincoln argued that allowing easier access to guns would increase mass shootings and allow arguments to turn deadly. They cited recent homicides in Lincoln as examples of situations that could escalate with the availability of guns.
Despite the opposition, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen signed the constitutional carry bill into law in April 2023, making Nebraska the 26th state to allow people to carry concealed guns without a permit.
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The bill will take effect in late August or early September
On April 19, 2023, Nebraska lawmakers passed the so-called constitutional carry bill, LB77, which allows people to carry concealed guns in the state without a permit. Governor Jim Pillen signed the bill into law on April 25, 2023, and it will take effect about 90 days after that, which will be in late August or early September 2023.
The bill, introduced by Sen. Tom Brewer, allows those over the age of 21 to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. It does not change the criteria for eligibility to obtain a carry permit or affect previously issued permits. It also allows citizens who wish to obtain a permit for carrying a gun in other states that recognize Nebraska's permits to do so.
The bill faced opposition from cities like Omaha and Lincoln, where most gun violence occurs, and their police chiefs. They argued that the measure would make their cities less safe. Despite this, the bill was passed with a vote of 33-14, with opponents filibustering for 14 hours over three rounds of debate.
With the passage of this bill, Nebraska becomes the 26th state to allow people to carry concealed guns without a permit.
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Protestors voiced opposition to the bill
The passing of the constitutional carry bill in Nebraska has been met with opposition from various groups and individuals. Protestors have voiced their concerns about the potential impact of the bill, which allows law-abiding Nebraskans over the age of 21 to carry concealed handguns without a permit.
One of the main points of contention is the potential impact on public safety. The cities of Omaha and Lincoln, where the majority of gun violence occurs in Nebraska, have opposed the bill, with their police chiefs arguing that it will make their cities less safe. They worry that removing the permit requirement will make it harder to control gun violence and ensure the safe handling of firearms.
Lincoln state Sen. Jane Raybould has been particularly vocal in her opposition to the bill. She has pleaded with lawmakers to block the measure, expressing concerns about the potential consequences for public safety. Raybould's stance has likely been influenced by the recent mass shootings across the nation, including the killing of six people at a Tennessee school.
Another concern raised by protestors is the override of stricter local gun laws. The bill supersedes regulations in Omaha, which previously required a concealed carry license for anyone carrying a gun in a car, even if the gun was in open view. This standardization across the state may hinder the ability of local governments to address specific public safety concerns within their communities.
The constitutional carry bill has also been criticized for prioritizing gun rights over other fundamental rights. Protestors argue that the bill undermines efforts to prevent gun violence and protect the well-being of citizens. They believe that the focus should be on implementing stricter gun control measures to enhance public safety rather than expanding access to firearms.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen signed into law a bill that would allow Nebraskans over the age of 21 to carry concealed handguns without a permit.
The bill, Legislative Bill 77 (LB 77), recognizes the fundamental right of law-abiding adults to carry firearms for self-defense without navigating burdensome government regulations.
The bill was opposed by the cities of Omaha and Lincoln, where most gun violence occurs, and their police chiefs, who said the bill would make their cities less safe. Protestors also voiced their disagreement with the bill, with one shouting "Shame" from the Legislature's balcony.
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