Nebraska: Judiciary Committee to Hold a Public Hearing Tomorrow, February 16!

Tomorrow, the Judiciary Committee is having a public hearing on several bills related to firearms. All of these bills would provide significant improvements to current statute regarding firearm ownership, possession, and concealed carry legislation.  The NRA will be there to support these bills and we urge you to do the same.  This committee will meet in Room 1103 of the State Capitol.  If you are unable to participate in this public hearing, please contact the members of the Judiciary Committee listed below and urge them to support these important reform bills:

LB 138, introduced by state Senator Scott Lautenbaugh (18), would change residency requirements under the Concealed Handgun Permit Act to allow new Nebraska residents to continue to carry a concealed firearm, as long as they have a permit from a state with which Nebraska has reciprocity. 

LB 516, introduced by state Senator Mark Christensen (44), would authorize the carrying of concealed handguns in educational institutions by security personnel, administrators, or teaching staff, but only if 2/3’s of the members of the institution’s governing body are in favor of allowing it.  

LB 538, introduced by state Senator Russ Karpisek (32), changes provisions relating to the disposition of seized firearms. It would clarify that any firearm taken into custody by law enforcement agencies, through a voluntary surrender program and those that have not been seized or used in the commission of a crime, can be released to the owner without obtaining a court order.

LB 618, introduced by state Senator Burke Harr (8), would authorize possession of firearms by law enforcement or authorized security personnel on school grounds and at school events.

LB 622, also introduced by Sen. Scott Lautenbaugh (18), would change provisions relating to confiscation and destruction of firearms.  It would implement a process for firearm recovery by individuals who have a lawful right to the firearm if confiscated by police and awards them court costs, attorney fees, and damages sought in that recovery.  It would also prevent the destruction of firearms if law enforcement is not legally required to return the firearm to the owner and require that those firearms be sold at public auction. 

Once again, please contact the members of the Judiciary Committee and respectfully urge them to support the bills mentioned above.  Committee contact information can be found below.

Judiciary Committee

Chairman
Senator Brad Ashford Dist. 20
Phone: (402) 471-2622
Email: [email protected]

Senator Colby Coash Dist. 27
Phone: (402) 471-2632
Email: [email protected]  

Senator Brenda Council Dist. 11
Phone: (402) 471-2612
Email: [email protected]  

Senator Burke Harr Dist. 8
Phone: (402) 471-2722
Email: [email protected]  

Senator Tyson Larson Dist. 40
Phone: (402) 471-2801
Email: [email protected]

Senator Steve Lathrop Dist. 12
Phone: (402) 471-2623
Email: [email protected]  

Senator Scott Lautenbaugh Dist. 18
Phone: (402) 471-2618
Email: [email protected]

Senator Amanda McGill Dist. 26
Phone: (402) 471-2610
Email: [email protected]