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McCook Gazette
Opinion

Gunlocks another unnecessary burden

Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Mark Christensen

This week I would like to address Legislative Bill 958 that would create additional regulations on firearms in Nebraska. I have received a considerable number of phone calls and emails from constituents in my district regarding LB958 concerned that it would only create additional burdens on law-abiding gun owners. I would agree with their analysis and oppose the advancement of LB958.

One of the new regulations that this bill would put into place is a 48-hour reporting requirement for any lost or stolen firearms. The first offense would be a Class IV misdemeanor and any subsequent offenses a Class III misdemeanor. This does not stop a criminal from obtaining a weapon illegally and using it to commit a crime on someone else. Instead, this regulation just puts another burden on the law-abiding citizen and turns them into a guilty party.

Another new regulation in the bill would require all retail sellers of firearms to include with each gun sold a trigger lock or gun lock. Not all owners would have a need for these devices, and the criminal is still not going to use one. Again, we are adding another unnecessary burden that does not reduce crime.

Though these may be good intentions to try to curb gun violence and terrible incidents like Von Maur in Omaha, they will not accomplish either. In my mind, it makes the law abiding gun owner of Nebraska into a criminal and the innocent victim into the guilty party. Guns do not kill people, people kill people. Enforcing the laws already on the books and allowing citizens to defend themselves with a concealed carry permit is the best way to protect our citizens while protecting our Constitutional rights to bear arms.

Lastly, I would like to share the public hearings coming up for my bills over the next couple of weeks. If you would like to come and support a bill in Lincoln the hearing dates are:

LB1127 on Wednesday; this bill changes permitted uses of the Water Resources Cash Fund.

LB1131 on Wednesday; this bill will authorize a collection fee for the county for collection of natural resources district occupation tax.

LB1132 on Wednesday; this bill will clarify procedures for counties collecting occupation taxes.

LB990 on Tuesday, Feb. 19; this bill allows special education students to participate in a graduation ceremony and receive a certificate of attendance.

LR233CA on Wednesday, Feb. 27; which is an amendment to the Nebraska constitution to prohibit discrimination or preferential treatment by race or sex for the state, state agencies, and political subdivisions by race.

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  • Thank-you Sen. Christensen. Although I'm not a constituent of your district, I wish to encourage you on this issue because the effects will be statewide.

    Nothing in LB 958 keeps criminals from doing bad things. Nothing in any law would keep a criminal from getting a gun. Drugs are illegal, and there's still a lot of drugs. Why would making guns illegal stop a criminal from getting a gun. All it would do is take away my right to defend myself from criminals that have a gun anyway.

    Keep up the good work.

    -- Posted by wwiens on Wed, Feb 13, 2008, at 9:13 PM

  • I fully support your opposition to LB958.

    The reporting restrictions are not just unworkable, they are intimidating. What happens when someone steals a weapon and uses it in a crime-- but the owner wasn't aware it was stolen? Will he or she be prosecuted? What happens when he discovers it was stolen a week ago? Will he be reluctant to report it because he will be charged with not reporting within 48 hours?

    Most important, why is the victim of the theft now put in legal jeopardy through no fault of his own?

    Gun locks are given out free by many organizations. Any new handgun purchase includes one, and anyone who wants one can easily purchase one. But guess what: irresponsible people don't use them now! So why put yet another burden on gun retailers?

    Terry

    -- Posted by TerryElliott on Thu, Feb 14, 2008, at 11:15 AM

  • Mr. Christensen, I applaud your stance on our gun rights!

    Another part of this bill that is asinine at best is the article where these idgits, mostly from the biggest cities in the eastern part of the state, are trying their hardest to outlaw "assault type rifles". In their own words, "These weapons have no use other than killing people". Hmmmmm mine has yet to do this and don't forsee it happening in the future. Once again, these morons take the "Let's just blame it on the firearms and not the people" approach. AR-15 rifles are capable of great accuracy and are good varminting rifles. So what if they hold 30 rounds. You'll never keep the doofusses in society from acquiring weapons to do their ill intents. As the saying goes, outlawing guns will only give outlaws guns.

    The second ammendment gave us the right to keep and bear arms. If you pay attention to the ammendments in order of importance, it's the second one listed. I believe our founding fathers had a reason for this and justifiably so.

    Slowly, the government is trying to eventually dissarm us completely. Look at the price of reloading supplies for example. You used to be able to buy suppies with just a small charge to ship. Now, if you buy powder or primers, there is a $40.00 hazmat fee. Just another "small" step at getting us dissarmed. Their intention is simple....If we can't dissarm them, we'll make it so they can't afford to buy or make ammo.

    Sound paranoid? Do the math.

    Hopefully there are more senators like Mr Christensen out there upholding the virtues of our ammendments for further generations to enjoy.

    Jim Foster

    -- Posted by Jim Foster on Fri, Feb 22, 2008, at 9:12 PM
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