CARSON CITY, Nev. – Nevada Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, issued the following statement after the Assembly voted to pass AB 354. The legislation that now goes to the Senate prohibits a person from possessing or causing a firearm to be present in, or within 100 yards of, an entrance from an electoral polling site.
“The issue is simple – when we go out to vote, we deserve to feel safe and free to exercise our right without fear of intimidation or violence,” said Jamie Bunnell, a volunteer with the Nevada Chapter of Moms Demand Action. “We are grateful for our lawmakers’ steadfast action on this legislation and look forward to working with community partners and gun sense champions to turn this bill into law to protect Nevada families from gun violence.”
Today’s vote comes shortly after the passage of AB 355, which prohibits a person who is less than 21 years of age to possess or control a semi- automatic shotgun or semi-automatic centerfire rifle. The measure also provides that it is unlawful to aid or knowingly permit a person who is younger than 21 years of age to possess a firearm under certain circumstances, and just days after the Senate voted to pass SB 171, legislation that is awaiting a vote in the Assembly, which seeks to prohibit the purchase, possession or ownership of a firearm by a person who has been convicted of committing or attempting to commit a hate crime.
In an average year, 555 people die by guns in Nevada. With a rate of 17.5 deaths per 100,000 people, the state has the 16th-highest rate of gun deaths in the US. Each year, gun violence costs Nevada $6.7 billion, of which $104.3 million is paid by taxpayers. More information on gun violence in Nevada is available here. To speak to a local volunteer with Moms Demand Action, a volunteer with Students Demand Action, or a policy expert, please reach out to [email protected].
