Nebraska

Sebastian is reporting on an effort in your state to ban "inherently dangerous firearms".   As he says, you only get one chance to stop things like this, it's very hard to repeal a law once passed.

Nebraska lawmakers opposed to allowing their constituents the same self-defense rights as citizens in over 40 other states are hauling out the same, tired, alarmist rhetoric that has been proven false time and again, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA) said today. Proponents of licensed concealed carry overcame a filibuster to push LB 265 through its first hurdle. Gov. Mike Johanns has courageously promised to sign the measure if it hits his desk. Yet, anti-gunners determined to keep their constituents at the mercy of thugs have dusted off the same arguments used by gun rights opponents in other states.

Following the process specified by the Constitution a few dedicated individuals started the initiative process to amend the Constitution. Their efforts succeeded in placing, what has become known as, Initiative Measure No. 403 on the November ballot that year. It passed into law when a majority of the citizens of the State of Nebraska voted in favor of it. Initiative Measure No. 403 added the following to Article CI-1 of the Constitution; ?and the right to keep and bear arms for security or defense of self, family, home, and others, and for lawful common defense, hunting, recreational use, and all other lawful purposes, and such rights shall not be denied or infringed by the state or any subdivision thereof.?

This is the first time in the history of the state of Nebraska that the mention of the right to keep and bears arms appeared in the Constitution. Not only did it not give any power to the state, it specifically told the State and it?s political subdivisions that they must keep hands off the subject. A number of the people that started this grassroots process have stated that their intent (in 1988) ?was to make Nebraska the equivalent of Vermont, in that, the concealed or open carry of a firearm is not subject to licensure or permit as long as the person is not prohibited from owning one.?

Is Nebraska a Vermont-carry state according to Constitutional authority? I don't know and I suspect the lawyers would love to fight it out, but this blogger makes a good case.