Nebraska CCW - news & poll

[Sabo2r]

http://www.omaha.com/#poll6213

Please hit this poll when you have a free minute. sab




Legislature braces for 'gunfight'

BY LESLIE REED


WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

LINCOLN - Ten years in the making, a showdown on whether Nebraskans should be allowed to carry concealed handguns is expected to start Wednesday in the Legislature.

"The gunfight begins at 9 a.m.," Legislative Speaker Kermit Brashear of Omaha said Tuesday.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Jeanne Combs of Milligan, had been prepared to start the battle Tuesday. She wore a tiny, .17-caliber Hornady hollow-point bullet on her lapel for good luck. She said the lapel pin was given to her by State Sen. Ray Aguilar of Grand Island, where the bullets are manufactured.

The debate was delayed, however, when lawmakers bogged on another measure.

Combs said she has the 33 votes she needs to override delaying tactics by opponents and advance the gun bill. She said she hoped a first-round vote could be taken today.

"We have the votes. When the time comes, it all depends on whether we've strategically placed ourselves to prevail," she said.

Combs' proposal, Legislative Bill 454, would allow Nebraskans to obtain a five-year permit for carrying a concealed handgun, at a cost of $100.

They would be required to complete a training course, pass an eye test, submit fingerprints and clear a criminal background check before the Nebraska State Patrol would issue the permits. Someone committed as a dangerous mentally ill person within the previous five years would not be eligible.

Lawmakers first considered the proposal last May. But when time ran short late in the 2005 session, Combs agreed to wait, and Brashear promised the bill would be considered early this year. Tuesday marked the fifth day of the 60-day session.

Opponents filed a number of amendments to try to stop or weaken the bill. Those included a tongue-in-cheek proposal from Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha.

He has proposed limiting the number of pistols a person can carry to their number of pockets and "any other suitable hiding place," including purses, tote bags, shopping bags, umbrellas, picnic baskets, beverage coolers, boots, briefcases, backpacks, bulky sweaters, hats, helmets, canes, walking sticks and lunch boxes.

Chambers also called for violators of the law to be penalized by having Combs shoot off their trigger fingers.

Other amendments were more serious.

Sen. Mick Mines of Blair proposed that guns be prohibited from government buildings, domestic violence shelters, playgrounds or parks, airports and several other locations.

Combs said she thought her proposal was ready to move forward without significant changes.

She is the latest of several senators who have sought to legalize concealed weapons in Nebraska in the past decade. All failed.

"It's been discussed for 10 years," Combs said. "I doubt there'll be any new information come up . . . as far as the law-abiding citizens who will become permit-holders."

[bluebomberx]

I wonder if anyone that opposes the bill is doing so because they think it is too expensive? LOL

[Majk]

I don't know who the 550 buttholes are that voted they don't want it need to move their ass to north omaha for a year and then see how they change their mind.

Sic shootings since New years day, I want to be able to defend myself. Either that or move to a ccw state.

[sjp2452]

Come on folks--let's help our Nebraska brethren. The poll doesn't look good right now.

[Majk]

I actually took the time today to email every single senator.

Five of them actually took the time to email me back. Two are in favor and three are not. All of them women.

But the one senator Sen. Mike Foley said there arguements are pretty weak and he said it has a good chance to advance and hopefully pass.

I applauded his efforts to get this passed and gave him the arguments that the non-supporting senators said.

I hope passes. They've been trying for about 9 years.

[Majk]

Here's Senator Nancy Thompson's response back.

-------------------------------------------
Thank you for contacting me with your support of LB 454, the bill to
allow concealed weapons permits in Nebraska.

As in the past, I am opposed to this legislation. Among my reasons for
opposing this legislation is opposition to the bill by local law
enforcement officials and the general public. I also remain unconvinced
of the necessity to permit the carrying of a concealed weapon by members
of the public.

Thank you for taking the time to share your views with me.

Nancy Thompson

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here is Senator Gwen Howards response:


Thank you for letting me know your views on the concealed weapons bill.


I have serious concerns about expanding the concealed weapons law in Nebraska. I understand that some people feel the need to carry a gun for self-protection. I just do not feel having more guns on the streets is going to make people safer. I fear the number of accidental shootings if more guns are on the street. Between 1992 and 1998, the violent crime rate in states that kept strict concealed weapons laws fell 30% while the violent crime rate in states that had weak concealed weapons laws dropped by only 15%. Clearly more guns does not result in less crime.


I was a social worker for 34 years and I have seen first hand the damage that crime and gun violence can do to families. I fear that if we weaken the concealed weapons law that it is only a matter of before we see a tragedy like someone being shot because of a case of road rage or someone losing his or her temper with quick and easy access to a gun. With judges being shot in courtrooms and children killing other students at school, I agree with law enforcement leaders that now is not the time to be relaxing our gun laws. In my annual district issues survey last fall, 81% of the respondents opposed the concealed weapons bill.


Thanks again for letting me know your views on this issue.


Sincerely,

Gwen Howard

State Senator


----------------------------------------------------------------------------


And lastly here is Senator Mike Foley's response:


Thank you

It is my intention to vote YES on the bill

Mike Foley

and his response to the opposing sides arguments:


My pleasure

Thanks again Bryan. The bill's prospects are very good. The opposition
has weak arguments.



Just thought I'd share those with you.

[Majk]

Here are some more responses.

Senator Pat Engel wrote:

I have always supported this bill, since 1994, and believe we have a
very good chance of it passing this year.


__________________________________________________


And Senator Abbie Cornett wrote:


Bryan,

Thank you for taking the time to write to me. I do support LB 454, the
Concealed Handgun Permit Act. I will also vote for cloture, and against
any amendments that would change the original intent of the bill.

Thank you again for contacting me, and please feel free to contact me
with your input on this or any other issue the Legislature will be
dealing with.

Abbie Cornett
District 45


Some more great senators. Heck let them raise my taxes, as long as I can legally carry I'll let it go this time.

[Majk]

Here's the story about the bill and who sponsored it if your interested.

http://www.wowt.com/home/headlines/2182427.html

Just in case most of you don't know Senator Chambers is an idiot. His district has the most crime and murders. His the district is the reason people want to legally carry. His ass just needs to retire.

He gets so much email from people that think he's a joke, he had his email address pulled from the Nebraska Legislature website. It's funny what he says about the senators doing the NRA's work by sponsoring this bill.

I wish he'd break into my home, then I'll show him the NRA's work.

[Majk]

Add Senator Thomas Baker to the "I do" vote.

He said he's voting for it all the way.

We need some more like that.

[WyoBob]

The poll is looking better, now. I voted to help my old home state out. That dumb sob Ernie. The concealed carry law would be a great benefit to his constituents.

WyoBob