Vegas gun show attendees speak out on state law changes

Las Vegas resident Charles Weakland, who managed five gun shops across the valley for 35 years, said one reason he loves to call Nevada home is because of its gun laws.

“It’s one of the reasons that I’m happy to live here,” he said at the Crossroads of the West Gun Show at Cashman Center on Saturday. “I’m pretty happy with Nevada’s gun laws.”

What Weakland isn’t happy about is how state lawmakers failed to pass Assembly Bill 487, which would have allowed Nevadans with permits to carry concealed firearms on college campuses.

Though the Assembly voted 26-16 to advance the bill May 29, the measure faced strong opposition from college administrators and the Nevada System of Higher Education. The bill died when the session ended June 1.

“I consider our college students to be among the smartest Nevada residents,” Weakland said. “It doesn’t make sense why they wouldn’t be considered competent enough to protect themselves.”

On Saturday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law allowing the open carrying of handguns in public and concealed handguns on university campuses throughout the Lone Star State.

“If you’re going to college and you have a pistol in your purse or backpack, it won’t affect me,” Weakland said. “Young, smart kids deserve to have a right to protect themselves. They’ve (legislators) stabbed us in the back.”

But a limited gun control bill that Gov. Brian Sandoval later signed into law attracted support from many gun owners. Senate Bill 175, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Michael Roberson, R-Henderson, bans those convicted of domestic violence from acquiring or possessing guns.

“I’m fine with it,” said Las Vegas resident Ron Seiss. “I think anyone who doesn’t have good self-control shouldn’t be carrying firearms.”

In addition to prohibiting convicted felons from owning guns, SB175 allows people from many other states with concealed carry permits to carry weapons in Nevada.

Seiss added he hopes that an interstate reciprocity law is passed at some point in the future nationwide so he doesn’t have to check other states’ gun laws before leaving Nevada.

“I have a CCW (carrying a concealed weapon permit) in Nevada and it should be like a driver’s license so it’s good everywhere,” he said. “To me, that would be the best.”

The Senate bill also ended the “blue card” ordinance in Clark County, a law requiring registration of handguns.

Debbie Swarts of Las Vegas said she agreed with getting rid of blue cards.

“It’s our Second Amendment right to carry firearms so we shouldn’t have to register them anyway,” she said. “Criminals are the only ones who don’t obey the law so it’s only stopping people who are following the laws.”

Dan Ramsey of Las Vegas said he’s glad to see the blue cards go because it’s something extra he has to carry.

“It’s a good idea because what purpose did it serve anyway?” Ramsey asked. “It’s one of those things that I’d probably forget to bring.”

Ramsey said recent gun legislation has restored his faith in Sandoval.

“It’s good to see Sandoval do something smart,” he said. “It’s minor but it makes me feel better about Nevada, our governor and the police — they can only enforce so many laws.”

However, Ramsey doesn’t agree with prohibiting those convicted of domestic violence from acquiring or possessing guns.

“Everybody makes mistakes and if that happens you serve your time or pay a fine and make peace with society,” he said. “Why penalize you for the rest of your life? Everybody makes mistakes and gets into bad relationships.”

Ramsey added, “If it was a repeat offender or violent felon then sure they shouldn’t get to carry a gun but an ordinary person who was in a bad relationship shouldn’t be penalized. It shouldn’t be the government’s decision.”

The gun show continues from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets, $14, can be purchased at the door.

Contact Ann Friedman at afriedman@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4588. Find her on Twitter: @AnnFriedmanRJ.