Why bill is needed

Dear Editor,

Last year, Nebraska passed a law that permits people to carry a concealed weapon. However, local firearms ordinances are not consistent in all areas of Nebraska, thus creating a patchwork of laws and ordinances in the state regarding the possession, transport, and the concealed carry of firearms.

This creates a problem for the good citizen carrying a weapon as current law permits. As one travels across Nebraska, there is no way for this conscientious citizen to know if local law is violated in one community and not the next.

To eliminate this issue, we make the law uniform across the state so there are no questions. I have introduced a bill to the Legislature that allows law-abiding citizens to know one, consistent rule. This seems most in line with the spirit of the Concealed Handgun Permit Act and it also prevents our inadvertently hampering tourism.

This way, visitors do not have to research a network of laws and memorize a map of Nebraska along their route so they can be familiar with every community's gun policies.

As always, I welcome input, both for and against, this or any other bill.

Sen. Mark Christensen

Imperial