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My Email to the Nevada Senate Judiciary Committee Re: SB-143 Constitutional Carry

Ron_O

Regular Member
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Aug 24, 2014
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109
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NAGR has posted a link with a sample letter and email addresses to the committee regarding SB-143. I opted to draft my own letter and shot it off this morning. The fact is that most often our legislators respond to calls and emails by keeping a simple tally of who's for and who's against and then they act accordingly. So if we flood them with emails and calls hopefully we can get their attention.

The NAGR link with email addy's and sample letter is here: http://nagr.org/2015/state/NV2.aspx

Here are their email addresses. You can copy and past them into your email program and simply type a short note: greg.brower@sen.state.nv.us; becky.harris@sen.state.nv.us; michael.roberson@sen.state.nv.us; scott.hammond@sen.state.nv.us; ruben.kihuen@sen.state.nv.us; tick.segerblom@sen.state.nv.us; aaron.ford@sen.state.nv.us

Having said that, the following is what I sent along. I'd encourage others to do the same, whether or not they're ever read by anyone in Carson City.

To Our Nevada Senate Judiciary Committee:

My name is Ron O'Brien and I'm not only a Nevadan but I'm also producing a documentary on carrying guns here in America. You can visit www.GoodGuyZone.com to check out the film project. I'm very pleased to hear that SB-143 has been introduced for consideration.

I've always been a gun owner but until recently I never carried a gun other than for hunting purposes. The tragic execution of two Las Vegas Metro police officers, Alyn Beck and Igor Soldo, and a gun carrying citizen, Joseph Robert Wilcox, here in Las Vegas last June convinced me that it was time to begin carrying myself. I was a firefighter for years and half of my friends back then were in law enforcement. But when I attended the funeral of Joseph Robert Wilcox, the citizen who was gunned down in Walmart while attempting to halt those two evil cop-killers, I realized that it was time to stop making excuses and start carrying a firearm in my daily life. I had to wonder how things may have changed if I was there in that Cici's pizza when those police officers were gunned down. Even more so, I wondered what would have changed if FIVE or TEN people in that restaurant were carrying. I doubt that those assassins ever would have made it to Walmart alive. It's time to turn the tables on the bad guys.

I remember well the tragic mass murder in the Luby's Cafeteria in Texas years ago and hearing the heartfelt testimony of Dr. Suzanna Hupp as she recalls how helpless she felt as her parents were gunned down and she was powerless to do anything because she had left her handgun in her car due to a Texas statute that made it illegal to carry a weapon into a restaurant at that time. You can view her testimony on the lead page of our website. The crazed murderer didn't much care about restrictive Texas gun laws as he drove his truck into the restaurant and gunned down 23 unarmed diners while injuring dozens of others.

I began researching the laws in Nevada and elsewhere and that led to the genesis of the Good Guys CARRY Guns film project. I soon realized that for decades I've been more afraid of the firearm laws than I was of the bad guys, and that infuriated me. I was pleased to learn that Nevada had an open-carry law and I soon began carrying myself. And regarding open-carry, let me add that it's more dangerous for someone to open carry than the other way around. While open-carrying I am broadcasting that I have a weapon which can encourage bad guys to want to take it away or target me once I'm in my vehicle, or even follow me home so they know where there's a household with firearms. Why should the bad guys have the upper hand when it comes to hiding their weapons?

As a Nevadan who's concerned about my personal safety as well as my loved ones and those around me, I have a huge concern when it comes to protecting and exercising our 2nd Amendment rights. To put it in simple terms, nowhere in the 2nd Amendment does it require the citizenry to secure a 'government permission slip' before exercising their right to keep and bear arms, nor does it suggest that we should secure proper training or pay a tax to exercise said right. I'm 100% supportive of proper training for every gun owner, and I encourage it in every way. That training is offered free of charge here in Las Vegas and elsewhere.

How ironic that most people in Nevada can openly carry a hand gun anywhere they please (other than restricted areas) but the second their shirt or coat falls over it they're instant criminals. I fall into that category. I regularly open-carry a handgun as well as keep one in my vehicle when traveling. Until you've exercised that right you'll likely never know what it adds to your quality of life due to the added safety and the ability to call the shots if you get into a compromising situation. The sense of security takes life to another level, something that you can't fully appreciate until you've put yourself into that position. I went through nearly 60 years of life without carrying and now only wish that I'd started long ago.

The criminals, however, don't care about the laws. The current CCW laws only penalize the law-abiding, not the criminals. I HATE when I have to leave my weapon in my vehicle because I'm going into certain businesses or areas where firearms may not be as well received, or where I don't want to make it obvious that I'm carrying. Another problem with leaving it behind is that now a thief can steal it out of my vehicle, allowing one more firearm into the hands of the bad guys.

Keep in mind that I'm fully qualified under the law to obtain a CCW. I refuse to do so because I feel it's unconstitutional and invasive on its face, and the courts seem to be heading that direction as well. I don't want to be on anyone's list. What the government gives, the government can also take away. I feel the same about handgun registration here in Clark County. I'll add that I support state pre-emption of every gun law here in Nevada. I believe the grandfather clause should be rescinded.

In my research for the Good Guys CARRY Guns project, I've become very familiar with gun laws and practices across the nation, in addition to here in Nevada, but also how Nevada's laws intertwine and are at times very confusing and conflicting on their face. North Las Vegas has a law outlawing guns in vehicles, for example, and Clark County doesn't allow them in parks even though cities like Henderson do. A pre-emption statute and Constitutional Carry law would simplify our rights statewide.

There are five states in the USA that allow CC now, including neighboring Arizona, and many more are pushing through bills to make it legal in their states as well. The statistics show that CC laws chase the bad guys away, not the other way around. If you want to see story after story of people who refused to be victims, including a LOT of women, you can visit our Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/GoodGuysCarryGuns .

In Clark County it's taking an average of three months for Metro to issue a CCW. That's three months of denied rights to citizens who should otherwise legally be carrying firearms. The bad guys don't care. With the existing CCW statutes you are creating two things; criminals and victims. The criminals are the ones who for a variety of reasons are carrying concealed without their Nevada permission slip, including short term visitors who are licensed to carry in their own states, people who can't afford the fees for training and licensing, and people who are dealing with an immediate threat because of which they feel a dire need to carry. The victims are the ones who are violated or gunned down because they're not carrying, some of whom would if we had Constitutional Carry. The bad guys don't care and they LOVE the fact that you make law-abiding citizens jump through hoops to carry.

Not only do I believe that the CCW program is unconstitutional on its face, it's also a tremendous waste of resources for our law enforcement agencies. One could argue that the citizens of Nevada could litigate against the state for wasting tax dollars on such a scheme. A federal 5th District judge in Texas just ruled against the federal statute which forbade firearms dealers from selling handguns to citizens from other states, citing no such requirement when the 2nd Amendment was passed while adding that the instant background check system removed any issue of felons purchasing firearms. There are already laws prohibiting felons from owning firearms. They don't care.

The fact is that law-abiding citizens should be able to carry a firearm in any manner they choose, whenever and wherever they choose, and any attempt to limit that freedom is outrageous. Why should I be giving a bad guy a head's up by openly carrying my firearm when he doesn't offer me the same courtesy? Why should I be forced to take firearms courses, pay fees, surrender my privacy in the form of background checks (5th Amendment violation), and then wait three months before I can exercise a right that I'm born with and that is protected by the 2nd Amendment of the United States Constitution? Surely We the People of Nevada have more sense than that.

I beg and urge you to bring this into committee and follow it through all the way to the Governors desk for approval. Then we as Nevadans will take one more step toward being freer (and SAFER) once again. The fact that the statutes have been on the books for so long doesn't make them legal or right. The courts are striking down such laws on a regular basis these days. It's time to undo this unjustified burden.

Thanks in advance for moving this forward. I'd be happy to offer my services and testimony in every way possible should you need some additional support.

I, and gun owners across the state and beyond, will be celebrating once this wrong has been righted, and one more step will be taken to strengthen the damaged image of overreaching lawmakers statewide.

May common sense prevail.

With Kindest Regards,

Ron O'Brien
Las Vegas
 

MAC702

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...I was pleased to learn that Nevada had an open-carry law and I soon began carrying myself. And regarding open-carry, let me add that it's more dangerous for someone to open carry than the other way around. While open-carrying I am broadcasting that I have a weapon which can encourage bad guys to want to take it away or target me once I'm in my vehicle, or even follow me home so they know where there's a household with firearms. Why should the bad guys have the upper hand when it comes to hiding their weapons?

Technically (lawmakers like being technical) Nevada does NOT have "an open-carry law." It has never been outlawed and therefore never needed a law to make it legal.

But, uh, well, you kind of threw us open carriers under the bus there with scenarios that just don't happen but are ripe for emotional people to latch on to and use.

But your letter was overall positive, and I most definitely agree that putting a letter in your own words is far more effective than copying a form letter, which is still a helluva lot better than doing nothing.
 
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Ron_O

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Technically (lawmakers like being technical) Nevada does NOT have "an open-carry law." It has never been outlawed and therefore never needed a law to make it legal.

But, uh, well, you kind of threw us open carriers under the bus there with scenarios that just don't happen but are ripe for emotional people to latch on to and use.

But your letter was overall positive, and I most definitely agree that putting a letter in your own words is far more effective than copying a form letter, which is still a helluva lot better than doing nothing.

You're absolutely right, Mac, but I'm preaching to the ignorant in the email and trying to open their minds a bit in thought while comparing OC vs. CC. The only real concern I ever have while OC'ing is the occasional thought of someone trying to snatch the weapon or take me down should they see the opportunity, both of which have given me REAL concerns at one point or another. My situational awareness is definitely heightened while I'm OC'ing. And I definitely hate leaving my gun in my rig when I'm going somewhere that I can't OC. These are addressable concerns.

Didn't think about the fact that we have no OC law but rather was thinking about the 42 or so states that allow it and sort of rolled that into a law in itself in my mind. Was a bit sleepy when drafting the email but just wanted to send it off in general support of getting something done. Maybe those guys will actually think that we DO have an OC law...

LOL.

Hey that reminds me, not to hijack my own thread, but on the main Nevada page here it says that open carrying in vehicles is legal but the weapon has to be in plain sight. Is that an oversight or simply a safe position to take for opencarry.org? I thought we'd agreed that carrying anywhere in the vehicle is legal except concealed on our person. Misinformation in need of clarification?
 

MAC702

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...Hey that reminds me, not to hijack my own thread, but on the main Nevada page here it says that open carrying in vehicles is legal but the weapon has to be in plain sight. Is that an oversight or simply a safe position to take for opencarry.org? I thought we'd agreed that carrying anywhere in the vehicle is legal except concealed on our person. Misinformation in need of clarification?

The Nevada page on this website if FULL of serious errors. I have brought it to the attention of the moderators, but no one seems to care.
 

Maverick9

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Cut out 90% of that diatribe. It's not going to be read, and you can't convince lawmakers based on logic and reason. You have to appeal to their pocketbooks or their chance of reelection.
 

DVC

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City? Who wants to live in a CITY?, Nevada, USA
Cut out 90% of that diatribe. It's not going to be read, and you can't convince lawmakers based on logic and reason. You have to appeal to their pocketbooks or their chance of reelection.

Concur. It's way too long, and most of it is stuff that won't be of value. Present an argument, not a speech.

Point out that our neighboring state of Arizona has had Constitutional Carry for several years, it has been a success, the dire predictions of the opponents have failed to come true, and that if Nevada's leaders believe Nevada citizens to be as intelligent and reasonable as are Arizona citizens, there is no justification in not following suit.
 

Ron_O

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Concur. It's way too long, and most of it is stuff that won't be of value. Present an argument, not a speech.

Point out that our neighboring state of Arizona has had Constitutional Carry for several years, it has been a success, the dire predictions of the opponents have failed to come true, and that if Nevada's leaders believe Nevada citizens to be as intelligent and reasonable as are Arizona citizens, there is no justification in not following suit.

That's stating the obvious. All I'm really counting on is the email being recorded as my vote in favor of CC. I'm also challenging all of you to write your own versions of whatever points you think need to be made.

I've been on the inside of the political spectrum and trust me when I say this will be read. And it may be quoted. Lawmakers don't have time to do the work they need and rely on others to make their points and do their research for them. They need sources, stories to tell, facts to cite. Many of them don't know where to begin but want to be on the RIGHT side of a trending issue so pick up the slack in any way they can.

So my vote will be recorded and the email read. Yours will be read as well, by a staffer if nothing else. The staffer will record a vote and highlight points that may be passed on or used. This is a small state and I doubt that these guys will be flooded with a ton of emails on the matter. They just need to know that enough people care enough to put some time into making their voice heard.

Got it? Now respond to them the same as you would here on this forum, whether it's canned, short, passionate, or in between. They need to see how the public feels on this matter, and why (aka VOTERS). Perhaps the next email can appeal to their ego's; "Let's take the lead on this issue, five other states are already ahead of us and a dozen others are considering the same legislation. Show the nation that Nevada is on the leading edge."
 

Bulleteater

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The state GOP needs to be reminded that, for the first time in decades, they are in the Driver's Seat because...WE the voters put them there! And of course, we can always remove them. Soooooo, while they are in power, we the Voters expect results, and dividends, not excuses. We expect them to represent US. Tell them that.
 

DVC

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What they need is to believe that, if they don't do what we want them to, we won't vote for them next time.

The way I look at it is that if they don't do the job I sent them to do, the seats might as well be filled by their opponents.
 

Ron_O

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Aug 24, 2014
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SB-143 Hearing is on Wednesday.

I just received the following email from NAGR. We can appear in person in Carson City or by video in Las Vegas. Showing up in numbers will be a big plus. If no one shows they'll assume the worst. Let's try to get there, even if we don't address the committee.

_______________________________________________​

Dear Ron,

I need your help.

I know it's short notice, but these things move fast.

Constitutional Carry, SB-143, is being heard this Wednesday at 1:00 PM in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The National Association for Gun Rights will be there to testify on the bill, but the Committee needs to hear from you as well.



If you can make it, the hearing will be held at the Legislative building at:

Room 2134
401 S. Carson Street
Carson City, NV

If you're closer to Las Vegas, you can still testify by videoconference

Room 4412E
Grant Sawyer State Office Building
555 E. Washington Ave
Las Vegas, NV

If you can't make it to the committee hearing, please click below to email the Senators on the committee:



Senator Greg Brower 775-684-1419
Senator Becky Harris 702-324-0404
Senator Michael Roberson 702-612-6929
Senator Scott Hammond 702-523-9055
Senator Ruben Kihuen 702-274-1707
Senator Tick Segerblom 702-388-9600
Senator Aaron Ford 702-772-5544

Urge the Senators to vote for SB-143, Constitutional Carry.

If the Judiciary Committee doesn't pass the bill, we're done.

_____________________________________________________​
 

MAC702

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Thank you for the notice.

However, updating this thread is sufficient. We don't need the other thread just for this meeting.
 

rickyray9

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Mar 29, 2009
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Northern Nevada
I'll try to be there in person. CC isn't that bad of a drive. Does this bill also strike down the same restricted areas as the campus carry bill, or will we need both of them?
 

Ron_O

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Aug 24, 2014
Messages
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Sb-143 is dead on arrival

Senator Brower killed this bill after teasing everyone with a sham hearing in which he pretended to be an advocate. He closed the session with a speech about how the 2nd Amendment doesn't apply to concealed carry and that they could do anything they damn well pleased with the issue.

He obviously followed up by not even allowing it to get out of the committee. He never scheduled a work session or a vote by the full committee. Now AB-148 is heading to his sanctum so let's see if he continues on his path of anti-freedom.

This man obviously doesn't care about the life, health, or safety of Nevadans. That's all that needs to be said.
 

ed2276

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Messages
366
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Las Vegas,NV
Senator Brower killed this bill after teasing everyone with a sham hearing in which he pretended to be an advocate.

This man obviously doesn't care about the life, health, or safety of Nevadans. That's all that needs to be said.

All you had to do is to read this, "U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada, 2007-2009", in his bio to know that the man is a statist pig, who doesn't care anything about rights and freedom.
 

MAC702

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So we don't get our most important bill passed, but we are about to pass several that are still important. Contrast that with the Democrat-controlled era.

Do not take this to be a defense of the Republican Party in the state of Nevada. Being an inch this side of being a **** is not necessarily a compliment, but it does mean you aren't a ****.

That was censored? Man, all I said was ****...
 
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DVC

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So we don't get our most important bill passed, but we are about to pass several that are still important.

Are we really? And you know this because . . .why . . ?

If the Republicans we gave the state to can't get something as simple as Constitutional Carry passed -- something managed by our neighbors in Arizona YEARS ago, and several other states since then -- what gives you any faith that they'll get anything else done?

I'd rather vote for Democrats. At least we don't have any false hopes with them. Republican leaders all too often turn into invertebrates after being sworn in, so the first you know that they've turned on you is when the knife punches into your back.
 
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