Assembly speaker fires back at gun critic

CARSON CITY – Assembly Speaker John Oceguera, D-Las Vegas, fired back at a Democratic critic of his management of several gun bills.

In a letter issued late Monday to Sen. John Lee, D-North Las Vegas, Oceguera said Lee “failed to take time to carefully check the facts.”

Oceguera was responding to a letter from Lee that accused him of seeking “self promotion” and “aggrandizement” by swooping together multiple gun bills by several legislators into one bill with Oceguera as a principal sponsor.

Lee also expressed concern Oceguera isn’t working hard enough to ensure Lee’s Senate Bill 231, which would lift restrictions that prevent concealed weapons permit holders from taking guns on state college campuses, gets through the Assembly.

• Democrats trade shots about gun legislation (Apr. 4, 2011)

Oceguera’s response letter found fault with Lee for sharing his criticism with journalists before raising them in private. He also said sponsors of the original gun bills were included in the consolidated legislation.

Both Oceguera and Lee are considered potential candidates for Congress. A favorable rating from the National Rifle Association, which supports SB231, would be considered an asset in a Congressional campaign.