Nebraska lawmaker introduces assualt weapons ban

[joemerchant24]

More to be found at joemerchant24.blogspot.com


Measure targeting assault weapons sent to the floor
BY LESLIE REED
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

LINCOLN — A heavily rewritten gun-control bill takes aim at assault weapons and, if approved by the Legislature, could lead to the banning of certain firearms in Nebraska.

As amended by the Judiciary Committee, Legislative Bill 958 would create a seven-member law enforcement commission to develop a list of guns deemed "inherently dangerous."

The Legislature would vote on whether to ban the weapons for sale or resale in Nebraska. The commission would be required to update the list every two years.

The committee sent the amended bill to the full Legislature on a 6-0 vote Wednesday.

All of the bill's original provisions were stripped out. Those provisions required that all guns be sold with a gun lock or trigger lock, that the loss or theft of a gun be reported to authorities within 48 hours and that people convicted of gun felonies go to prison for at least five years.

State Sen. Brad Ashford, sponsor of the bill and amendment, said he decided this week that the original provisions would do little to prevent another incident like the Von Maur shootings at Omaha's Westroads Mall.

After briefly considering requiring permits to purchase any firearm, whether handgun or long gun, he decided to focus on what he called "military-style" weapons.

"The assault weapons are the problem," he said. "There are some guns that are so inherently dangerous — they have no purpose for hunting. Those are the weapons we need to consider taking off the street."

A representative of the National Rifle Association expressed concern about the amended bill.

"If they want to systematically take away guns every two years, that sounds terrible," said Jordan Austin, government liaison for the group.

Eight people were killed in December at the Von Maur department store by a disturbed 19-year-old man armed with a semiautomatic rifle. The shooter killed himself.

Ashford proposes a governor-appointed commission of representatives from the State Patrol, the City of Omaha and a city other than Omaha; the governor, the attorney general and the Judiciary Committee chairman or their designees; and a firearms retailer.

The panel would define assault weapons, using criteria specified in the bill, and identify a list of weapons that meet those characteristics to be presented to the Legislature.

Ashford said it's possible that the commission would recommend that no guns be banned, but the approach would give law enforcement and other weapons professionals an opportunity to "take a crack at the issue."

"Nebraska has many avid hunters and sportsmen," the Omaha lawmaker said. "We have the expertise and knowledge to set these kinds of standards, and we should set the standards."

The bill describes the general characteristics of an assault weapon this way:

• A semiautomatic center-fire rifle that has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine, with any one of the following: a pistol grip protruding conspicuously beneath the weapon's action; a thumbhole stock; a folding or telescoping stock; a grenade launcher or flare launcher; a flash suppressor; or a forward pistol grip.

• A semiautomatic center-fire rifle with a fixed magazine with capacity for more than 10 rounds.

• A semiautomatic center-fire rifle that has an overall length of less than 30 inches.

Antique or collectible weapons with their firing pins removed would not be considered assault weapons.

Austin objected to these definitions, saying "assault weapon" is a scare-tactic term that has little real meaning.

He said a semiautomatic rifle is no different from a semiautomatic handgun; both fire one bullet for each trigger pull.

The rifle, however, has cosmetic features to make it seem more dangerous, Austin said.

"If they can justify taking away the long gun, they can justify taking away the short gun," he said.

Voting with Ashford to advance the bill were Sens. DiAnna Schimek and Amanda McGill, both of Lincoln, Vickie McDonald of St. Paul, and Ernie Chambers and Steve Lathrop, both of Omaha. Sens. Dwite Pedersen and Pete Pirsch, both of Omaha, abstained.

[Hazcat]

Let me guess...since his party isn't identified (or I missed it), he's a Dim.  Right?

It the legislature there mostly Dim?  Seems so if this got out of committe on a 6-0 vote, or did it get out because it was the easist and fastest way to kill it?

[joemerchant24]

Technically its a not partisan house.... HA!

Sadly, he's a RINO.

My source on the floor says there's little support, plus there a lot of hot-button issues that will eat up the last 32 days of the session. Ashford DID make this his priority bill, so it will be debated. We have a fairly conservative legislature, and a few staunch pro-gunners, too. The Governor is generally good on guns.

There is a small core of us trying to organize the defense. Any outside help will be appreciated.

The admitted focus on cosmetic issues will hurt Ashford.

One of the most dangerous senators in the land (Sen. Ernie Chambers. Do a google) will support this bill. So there's always that threat.



The Judiciary is loaded with antis this term.

[gunman1911]

And of course the great NRA does another compromise nested if trying to stop the bill altogether, let the good honest citizens marth on the capital and tell them we will not let you impose on our rights, nowhere in the second amendment does it say that it has to be for hunting! Compromise that's all the NRA is good for, my gun club (who is 100 percent NRA) was screwed and tattooed by them, never and I MEAN NEVER will they get another nickle or any loyalties form us. As far as I am cocerened they are useless. JMO

[Swamp Yankee]

Some one needs to educate these Bozo's that if they ban Assault Weapons( military styled Arms) We the people lose our Second Amendment Right to protect our selves from an oppressive out of control government. Because if the self apointed Authorities are the only ones to have this type of firearm how do we as citizens defend ourselves effectivly without them.  It sickens me to no end that these idiots are voted for by the majority. I Presume we submit legislation that states a person must take a test on the US Constitution on  any section  one question only on this test . ( Is this part of the Constitution to be interpreted as written and ratified years ago or based on current opinions ? ) The only correct Answer would be as written,  get it wrong you don't get to vote.

Mike Mc

[Sponsor]

[cookie62]

Aren't all firearms "inherently dangerous"? If they are used the wrong way. So are hammers!

[SlideRacker]

We gave them the rope to hang us with by pushing the "hunting" point for too long. Folks, we have got to find our voice in these matters. I am an NRA fan like the rest of you, but it's just not enough. We are pissing on a house fire. The 2nd amendment, and the Constitution for that matter, will be a thing of the past very soon if we do not pull together in a big way. You may think I'm kidding here, but a million man march in Washington has been known to work. If blacks can risk a bus ride in the 60's, why can't we brandish our weapons infront of the White House. They can't arrest a million people. We need to make this point in a way that will put it to rest. 

[tombogan03884]

Some one needs to educate these Bozo's that if they ban Assault Weapons( military styled Arms) We the people lose our Second Amendment Right to protect our selves from an oppressive out of control government. Because if the self apointed Authorities are the only ones to have this type of firearm how do we as citizens defend ourselves effectivly without them.  It sickens me to no end that these idiots are voted for by the majority. I Presume we submit legislation that states a person must take a test on the US Constitution on  any section  one question only on this test . ( Is this part of the Constitution to be interpreted as written and ratified years ago or based on current opinions ? ) The only correct Answer would be as written,  get it wrong you don't get to vote.

Mike Mc

You want to convince politicians that it is not in their best interest to prevent the people from protecting themselves and their rights from an "oppressive government"? Who do you suppose makes up that "oppressive government" ?We call it violating our rights, the politicians call it job security.  Thats why they make such a big deal about "sporting purposes" they want people to forget the REAL purpose of the second amendment. Did you know that the first gun bans in America were inspired by politicians trying to prevent Blacks and other factory workers in the north from enforcing their rights, and to keep Blacks in the south from enforcing their right to vote?