Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo Vetoes Three Gun Bills, Sparking Debate on Gun Safety Measures

NEVADA – Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo has vetoed three gun bills that were recently passed by the state legislature. The bills, namely SB171, AB354, and AB355, were all vetoed by the governor, who cited constitutional concerns and conflicts with existing laws.

AB355 aimed to raise the minimum age to purchase a semi-automatic rifle to 21. Lombardo’s veto was based on the argument that similar legislation has already been deemed unconstitutional by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

SB171 sought to prevent individuals convicted of hate crimes from owning firearms for a period of 10 years following their conviction. Lombardo argued that this bill went beyond existing hate crime laws and infringed upon individuals’ Second Amendment rights.

AB354 aimed to prohibit the possession of firearms within a specific distance of election sites. While recognizing the bill’s intentions, Lombardo found the scope of the bill to be too broad and lacking evidence of notable gun violence at election facilities in Nevada.

Governor Lombardo emphasized his commitment to upholding constitutional rights, stating that he cannot support legislation that infringes on the rights of Nevadans. However, proponents of the bills, including Nevada Senator Dallas Harris and Majority Floor Leader Sandra Jauregui, expressed disappointment and questioned the governor’s plan for ensuring public safety.

Senator Harris raised concerns about the lack of gun safety measures and called on the governor, as a former sheriff, to take action to protect the population. Majority Floor Leader Jauregui expressed her dedication to gun violence prevention and highlighted the need for measures to prevent future tragedies.

The vetoed bills have sparked a debate on gun safety in Nevada, leaving advocates and lawmakers divided on the best approach to address the issue.

Credits: KOLOTV