CARSON CITY, Nev. — Today, the Nevada chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, issued the following statements after Nevada lawmakers advanced legislation to prohibit the possession of firearms near polling locations and other electoral facilities (AB 105) and legislation to raise the minimum age for purchasing or possessing semiautomatic shotguns and semiautomatic assault weapons to 21 (AB 245). Earlier this week, Nevada lawmakers also advanced legislation to disarm those convicted of misdemeanor hate crimes (SB 89).
“Nevadans deserve the right to live freely without the fear of gun violence, and gun violence often begins when a gun winds up in dangerous hands or in sensitive spaces,” said Allie Calloway, a volunteer with the Nevada chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Policies that address gun violence, starting with measures to keep guns out of sensitive places like election sites, or keep guns out of dangerous hands, including those of teenagers are critical steps to make our state safer. We will continue to advocate to get AB 105, AB245, and SB 89 passed and signed into law because our safety relies on it.”
“As the committees moved SB89, AB105, and AB245 forward, I felt a genuine spark of optimism that our legislature is finally tackling gun violence with the urgency it deserves,” said Malcolm Greer, a volunteer with Students Demand Action in Nevada. “At the same time, I’m mindful that passage through committee is only the first step—true success will depend on getting these bills passed, signed into law, and then fully and thoughtfully implemented. Still, I remain hopeful that these measures will translate into real, positive change for Nevadans across the state.”
Progress on gun violence in Nevada has stalled in recent years due to repeated, dangerous vetoes by Governor Lombardo. In 2023, the last time Nevada was in session, gun sense majorities in the legislature passed a trio of gun safety bills, including measures that sought to prohibit those convicted of hate crimes from possessing firearms, prohibit guns at and around polling places, and raise the age to possess semiautomatic assault weapons to 21. Governor Lombardo vetoed the measures and Republicans didn’t support efforts to overturn the vetoes. In 2024, Governor Lombardo defended his veto of a bill aimed at regulating “ghost guns,” untraceable, homemade firearms. The bill, AB355, was designed to close a loophole from a 2021 law which had banned ghost guns in Nevada. As a candidate, he downplayed the ghost gun crisis, misleading the public by classifying it as “not a big issue.” Despite the real dangers of ghost guns in our communities, the Governor vetoed the legislation, and Republicans didn’t support efforts to overturn the veto.
In an average year, 581 people die by guns and 481 people are injured in Nevada. 68% of gun deaths in Nevada are by gun suicide. Guns are the leading cause of death among children and teens in Nevada. Gun violence costs Nevada $6.7 billion each year, of which $104.3 million is paid by taxpayers.