After 7 years of trying, State Senator Tom Brewer of Gordon has finally convinced the Nebraska Legislature to pass a “constitutional carry” bill allowing residents who want to carry concealed handguns in public to do so legally without a state permit or required gun safety training.
After two hours of final round debate Wednesday, Brewer was able to win a cloture vote 33-14, the minimum number required, followed by final approval by the same margin. The bill now goes to Gov Jim Pillen, who has said he will sign it.
Brewer said “it was a good day. It was a good win. We got a constitutional right back for people who should have that right. “
Nebraska law already allows people to carry guns in most places, including the Capitol, as long as it’s visible.
Brewer’s bill allows concealed guns to still be restricted in certain places including bars, churches, hospitals, banks, schools, government buildings and courtrooms.
Nebraskans also won’t legally be able to carry a concealed handgun at government meetings, political rallies, major sporting events, police stations, jails, or prisons.
Measure was opposed by the Lincoln and Omaha police departments because separate concealed weapon bans in both cities, but law enforcement in more rural areas of the state supported the bill.
After the final vote, one opponent – Nebraskans Against Gun Violence Executive Director Melody Vaccaro – yelled “shame” from a balcony several times, leading Lt Gov Joe Kelley to have the State Patrol remove about 75 people from that area.
Patrol spokesman Cody Thomas says it’s the first time in at least several years that observers have been ejected from the Capitol in accordance with the rules for the building.
Thomas also says that Vacarro was presented with a “barred and banned” order that keeps her from coming into the Capitol except for “scheduled appointments.” He describes the order as “a trespassing warning.”