Legislation targets weapons, permits one way or another

Nevada doesn’t have statewide gun registration requirements, but people in Clark County are subject to registration rules.

The owner of a handgun, referred to in the law as “firearm capable of being concealed,” is required to register the gun with police within 60 days of moving to the county or 72 hours of acquiring the gun.

Registration is free and includes a “blue card” for the gun owner that is proof of registration.

Separately, Nevada requires a permit to carry a concealed weapon.

There are a number of bills in the Legislature that would further change Nevada law covering firearms.

Among the most high profile is Assembly Bill 143 by Assemblywoman Michele Fiore, R-Las Vegas.

It would remove the requirement that concealed carry permit holders get permission from a college or university president before carrying their guns onto Nevada System of Higher Education property.

Currently, even a person with a concealed weapon permit needs additional permission from higher education officials to carry their gun on campus property.

Assembly Majority Leader William Horne, D-Las Vegas, has made a bill draft request for legislation that would create a tax on the sale of firearms and ammunition with the proceeds going to mental health treatment and crime victims.

Horne also wants the bill to impose the risk of liability on people who sell guns for the actions of the buyers who cause harm with the gun if the seller hasn’t done a background check before completing the sale.

Horne said he also wants the bill to grant immunity from liability to sellers who conduct the appropriate background check.

Senate Bill 137, sponsored by Sens. Don Gustavson, R-Sparks; Barbara Cegavske, R-Las Vegas; Pete Goicoechea, R-Eureka; and James Settelmeyer, R-Minden, would repeal the prohibition against carrying a concealed gun without a permit.

Senate Bill 76, also sponsored by Settelmeyer, would streamline concealed carry permits by allowing one permit to cover all handguns the permit-holder owns, eliminating the current distinction between revolvers and semi-automatic firearms.

Contact reporter Benjamin Spillman at
bspillman@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0285 .