LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - The Nebraska Legislature is set to take a final vote on a measure that would prevent governors from restricting gun sales in a state emergency.
The bill by Sen. Mark Christensen of Imperial sailed through a second-round voice vote Wednesday with little debate. A final vote is required before it goes to Gov. Dave Heineman.
Current Nebraska law allows governors to restrict the sale, distribution and transportation of guns once a state emergency is declared.
Christensen has worked on the bill with the National Rifle Association, which has passed similar “emergency powers” laws in 34 other states. Bills are pending in Iowa, Massachusetts, Colorado and Washington. Lawmakers in Georgia added such language to its sweeping new legislation approved last month that allows guns in bars, schools, restaurants, churches and airports.
Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha has said the measure is feel-good legislation that doesn’t help or hurt anyone.
States started passing the bills after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, when New Orleans police confiscated hundreds of guns. Police said most of the confiscated firearms had been stolen or found in abandoned homes, but the NRA claimed police disarmed some people in the city.
The original bill would have banned any state or local official from confiscating legally held firearms and ammunition.
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The bill is LB390
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