Today, Legislative Bill 807, Concealed Handgun Permit reform legislation, passed during its final reading on the floor of the Legislature by an overwhelming 48 to 1 vote. LB 807 was then transmitted to Governor Dave Heineman who signed it into law. Thanks to Judiciary Committee Amendment 1785, declaring an existing emergency, this law took effect immediately.
LB 807, introduced by state Senator Scott Lautenbaugh (18), clarifies that only individuals who have been criminally convicted of a felony, misdemeanor crime of violence or state laws pertaining to firearms and drug related offenses, would be disqualified from receiving a Nebraska Concealed Handgun Permit. By clarifying the current law, LB 807 ultimately helps streamline and expedite the Concealed Handgun Permit application process by not unnecessarily denying lawful citizens from obtaining a Concealed Handgun Permit in the Cornhusker State.
On April 5, LB 807 was amended with floor Amendment 2382 by state Senator Russ Karpisek (32), which allows for seized firearms that were not used in the commission of a crime to be returned to their lawful owner or sold at public auction, instead of being unnecessarily destroyed. This amendment passed by a 27 to 0 vote.
Many thanks go to state Senator Scott Lautenbaugh for introducing this much-needed bill, state Senator Tony Fulton for making LB 807 his final priority bill, state Senator Russ Karpisek for his amendment and Governor Heineman for approving this concealed carry permit reform legislation.
Gun owners were victorious last week as well. On April 11, Legislative Bill 804, civil immunity legislation, was signed into law by Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman. This important self-defense reform will go into effect on July 18, 2012.
LB 804, also introduced by Senator Lautenbaugh, is important for law-abiding citizens in the Cornhusker State. As amended, LB 804 provides greater defense in civil proceedings where none is currently available. While this is not the “Castle Doctrine” language that the NRA had initially sought, proposed and supported in committee hearings, it is still much better than current law. LB 804 is a step in the right direction for full protection under ideal Castle Doctrine laws by providing civil immunity if an individual has been cleared following a criminal investigation.
We thank NRA members across the Cornhusker State who answered the call and contacted their state legislators during the 2012 legislative session.
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