As far-left Democratic mayors and district attorneys continue refusing to enforce laws and their cities turn into war zones, more read state legislatures are acting to protect their populations.
Nebraska state senators approved Legislative Bill 77 with a 33-14 vote, which would allow Nebraska residents to carry concealed firearms without a permit. The bill will now go to the Republican Governor Jim Pillen’s desk for final approval. If signed into law, Nebraska would become the 19th state to allow permitless concealed carry.
At present, individuals in Nebraska are obliged to acquire a $100 permit and complete a safety course that can cost more than $200 to carry a concealed handgun. Nonetheless, if Legislative Bill 77 is approved, Nebraska will become one of the 25 states that allow concealed carry without requiring a permit.
Advocates of the legislation contend that mandating a permit and safety course to carry a concealed firearm violates the Second Amendment and creates obstacles for law-abiding individuals to safeguard themselves.
“What we do in this body sometimes is trying to follow through with the will of the people and give them the rights that they have in the Constitution,” State Sen. Tom Brewer said. “And sometimes we go out of the way and twist those rights and keep people from having them, and I think this is a case of that.
After three rounds of deliberation, the final call on signing the bill into state law lies with Governor Pillen. If approved, Nebraska will become a part of other states like Alaska, Arizona, Missouri, and Wyoming that permit carrying a concealed weapon without a permit.
Pillen expressed his support for LB 77 in a tweet on Wednesday, thanking the Legislature for passing the bill.
I am proud to support LB 77 and Nebraskans' constitutional rights. Thank you to the Nebraska Legislature for sending this bill to my desk. pic.twitter.com/25kn0oT0jC
— Governor Jim Pillen (@TeamPillen) April 19, 2023
Disclaimer: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.