Nevada ‘campus carry’ bill approved in Assembly

CARSON CITY — A controversial bill that would allow people with concealed weapons permits to carry their guns on Nevada college campuses won approval in the Assembly on Monday and now goes to the Senate.

The so called “campus carry” measure, Assembly Bill 148, is sponsored by Assemblywoman and gun rights advocate Michele Fiore, R-Las Vegas, along with many of her colleagues.

The vote for passage was 24 to 15 with all but one Democrat, James Ohrenshall of Las Vegas, opposed. Three members were absent.

The bill has generated a lot of interest and comment from both those in support and opposition.

Fiore introduced the bill on behalf of Amanda Collins, a concealed weapons permit holder who was unarmed when she was raped by James Biela in a parking garage on the University of Nevada, Reno campus in 2007.

It is the third attempt to get the so-called campus carry bill through the Nevada Legislature.

“All I wanted was a chance to effectively defend myself,” said Collins at a hearing on the bill earlier this session. Collins testified in support of similar measures in 2011 and 2013. “That choice should not be mandated by the government.”

Biela later committed two other rapes, with one involving a murder. He was arrested in 2008 and later sentenced to death.

In speaking for the bill on the Assembly floor, Fiore said attacks on women at colleges are becoming more common.

“Today the Assembly has the chance to pass common-sense legislation that provides responsible gun owners the opportunity to protect themselves,” she said. “We cannot have a law that leaves women defenseless when they have the ability and the means to stop their attacker.”

Amanda Collins’ father, Tom Collins, sat with Fiore during the debate and vote. He also testified for the bill earlier this session.

But Assembly Minority Leader Marilyn Kirkpatrick, D-North Las Vegas, who said she is a longstanding member of the NRA, expressed concern about a provision of the bill that would allow permit-holders to carry their weapons in unsecured areas of airports.

“Coming from Clark County, with 41 million visitors that come to our state every single year, there are many international travelers who are bothered by guns whatsoever,” she said.

Kirkpatrick also said a July 1 effective date for the bill does not give the Board of Regents enough time to respond to the changes should the bill become law.

The Nevada System of Higher Education, through its chancellor and the Board of Regents, oppose the measure, as do many students and faculty.

But there are some students who support the bill.

Currently, concealed weapons are prohibited on campuses unless an individual obtains permission from the college president. Permission is rarely granted.

Fiore said in testimony on the bill several weeks ago that only two requests were granted system-wide in 2013 and 2014.

Concealed weapons permits can only be obtained by those aged 21 or older.

Washoe County Sheriff Chuck Allen is supporting the bill.

Gov. Brian Sandoval has said he won’t take a position until and if a bill lands on his desk.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures in information dated from February 2015, 23 states let universities make the call on carrying concealed weapons, 20 ban weapons and seven, including Utah, Colorado and Idaho, allow firearms to be carried with some limitations.

Contact Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3900. Find him on Twitter: @seanw801