What should be concealed and what shouldn’t be concealed? The list of potential things to conceal are endless. Las Vegas Republicans are adding to the list, proposing a bill to repeal state requirement for a permit to carry a concealed gun.
March 11, the State Judiciary Committee reviewed SB 143, a bill that would legally allow anyone owning a gun to carry it without a permit. Led by Sen. Don Gustavson, (R) Sparks, he and a group of Republican legislators believe the bill would avoid the costly and time intensive process of applying for a concealed weapon permit.
According to Gustavson, “Most people who have guns know how to use them.”. Nevada would be the sixth state including Vermont, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, and Wyoming to have passed laws allowing for open or conceal carry without a license.
Not everyone is in agreement with Sen. Gustavson. Though Nevada already allows legal gun owners to openly carry a firearm without a permit, many believe concealment without permit is a recipe for disaster. Las Vegas lobbyist Chuck Callaway believes concealed holders need additional training.
Should SB 143 pass, it would allow for unpermitted concealment of weapons in public places such as airports and schools.
Combined Law Enforcement Association of Nevada lobbyist Ron Dreher says, “Issues for officer safety are immense,” and believes this would birth increased risks and security concern for police.
So far no action has been taken on the bill. Should the bill pass, it wouldn’t mean the end of possible weapons charges are over. The variety of weapons and firearm crimes you could be charged with is still vast, such as; Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Ex-Felon Possession of a Firearm, and Use of a Deadly Weapon in Commission of a Crime.
The proposal really leads to the question of are we infringing on a person’s freedoms or are we protecting the general public. The line, as usual is not so clear.
