The Nebraska chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, released the following statement in response to Nebraska legislators introducing LB 77, an incredibly dangerous permitless carry bill that would eliminate Nebraska’s concealed-carry permitting system and allow individuals to carry hidden, loaded handguns in public without a permit or safety training.
“Time and time again, gun lobby allies in the Nebraska legislature have pushed their ‘guns everywhere’ agenda, disregarding the clear risk to our communities,” said Jayden Speed, a volunteer with the Nebraska chapter of Students Demand Action and a member of the Students Demand Action National Advisory Board. “Allowing people to carry concealed guns in public without a permit is reckless, and shows utter disregard for human life. We have fought this bill many times and will do this same this year again.
Last year a similar bill, LB 773, was introduced and failed in the Nebraska legislature. Lawmakers rejected permitless carry following significant opposition and testimony from Nebraska Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers, the League of Municipalities, Omaha Police Officers Association, the Lincoln Police Chief, the Nebraska Police Officers Association, and the Police Chiefs Association of Nebraska throughout the legislative process.
Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers took significant action to call on lawmakers to reject permitless carry. Volunteers testified against permitless carry during the legislative process and drove over 800 emails and calls to lawmakers urging them to reject LB773. This session, we will again fight tirelessly against this unpopular and dangerous measure.
Permitless carry laws strip away a critical tool that law enforcement uses to differentiate between responsible gun owners and those who are prohibited from carrying a loaded weapon in public. Permitless carry legislation has been opposed by law enforcement in Nebraska and across the country, including in Alabama, Tennessee, Texas, Louisiana, South Carolina, Indiana, and Ohio.
Learn more about gun violence in Nebraska here.