2 gun bills advance in Nevada Legislature

CARSON CITY — State lawmakers on Friday approved two separate gun bills that would allow concealed weapon permit holders to have firearms on college campuses and possess guns if they are foster parents.

The Assembly voted 26-16 on Assembly Bill 487, which would allow Nevadans with permits to carry concealed firearms on college campuses. The measure, also known as a “campus carry” proposal, now goes to the Senate.

The bill would allow permit holders to carry a concealed weapon on their person on campus. Permit holders also could have a firearm inside their vehicle or stored in a locked container attached to the vehicle.

Under existing law, a concealed weapon holder needs written permission from the college president to bring a firearm on campus. Permission is rarely granted. Nevadans must be at least age 21 to have a concealed weapons permit.

The vote was largely along party lines. Just one Democrat, Assemblyman James Ohrenschall of Las Vegas, joined Republican lawmakers to pass it. All other Democrats opposed it.

Opponents cited widespread opposition to campus carry from students, faculty and administrators of the Nevada System of Higher Education. But supporters said it’s a constitutional right. That bill faces an uncertain fate in the Senate, where lawmakers declined to give a hearing for a similar measure.

The Senate, meanwhile, took action a separate firearms-related bill.

Senators amended and approved Assembly Bill 167, a largely Republican-backed bill that would allow foster parents who are law enforcement officers or concealed weapons permit holders to possess guns. Three Democratic senators opposed the bill, saying guns in homes with children could lead to tragedy.

State Sen. Kelvin Atkinson, D-Las Vegas, agreed with Republicans, saying it would allow more people to care for foster children.

The amendment sets out requirements on how guns should be stored or handled when children are present. The bill now goes back to the Assembly.

Las Vegas Review-Journal writer Sandra Chereb contributed to this report. Contact Ben Botkin at bbotkin@reviewjournal.com or 702-405-9781. Follow @BenBotkin1 on Twitter.