LAS VEGAS – The Nevada chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today issued the following statement in response to the news that the plaintiffs in a lawsuit seeking implementation of Nevada’s background check law are appealing a state court’s recent ruling in the case.
Federal law requires licensed gun dealers to conduct criminal background checks on gun sales, but a loophole exists that allows unlicensed sales, including sales online and at gun shows, to take place without background checks. Nevada’s background check initiative, which voters approved in 2016, called for the state to close that loophole and require background checks on all gun sales in Nevada, with reasonable exceptions for family, hunting and self-defense. Nineteen other states have passed similar laws.
STATEMENT FROM ELIZABETH BECKER, VOLUNTEER WITH THE NEVADA CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“Hundreds of volunteers worked for years to make the background check law a reality. We have not forgotten how our current leadership in Carson City has failed to keep us safe by continuing to allow guns to be sold without a background check in Nevada – even after the people spoke in 2016. In November, we will elect candidates who have pledged to support common-sense gun violence prevention legislation.”
STATEMENT FROM ERIC TIRSCHWELL, LITIGATION DIRECTOR FOR EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY:
“We strongly support this appeal and are optimistic that the Nevada Supreme Court will conclude state law provides a path for implementation of the background check law voters passed.”