Nevada Governor Blocks Lifesaving Gun Safety Measures, Leaves Nevadans at Risk

Carson City, Nevada—GIFFORDS, the gun violence prevention organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, released the following statement after the Nevada legislature failed to overturn Governor Lombardo’s veto of critical gun safety bills. Earlier this year the Nevada Assembly and Senate advanced lifesaving gun violence prevention legislation to the governor’s desk. However, Governor Lombardo vetoed it and the Nevada legislature did not vote to overturn the veto. GIFFORDS experts testified in legislative hearings and helped craft essential portions of the bill. 

Agustin Cabrera, GIFFORDS State Legislative Manager
“We worked extremely hard to move this legislation through the Nevada Assembly and Senate Joint Judiciary Committee. Unfortunately, Governor Joe Lombardo has decided to leave lives hanging in the balance, ignoring the urgent need for gun safety measures in the state. The gun violence epidemic continues to devastate our communities and as the session has come to a close, we urge legislators and the governor to step up in the next legislative session to pass commonsense gun safety measures that will protect their constituents.”

The following bills were vetoed: 

• AB 354: Bans firearms from polling places and updates the state’s existing ghost gun laws.
• AB 355: Raises the minimum age to purchase certain firearms to 21. 
• SB 171: Bans those who have been convicted of a hate crime under Nevada law from possessing firearms.

GIFFORDS previously worked with Assemblywoman Sandra Jauregui to pass AB 291 in 2019, which included extreme risk protection orders and safe storage laws. The passage of AB 354, AB 355, and SB 171 out of the joint committee demonstrates the legislature’s continued dedication to fighting gun violence by implementing commonsense gun laws prioritizing public safety. The legislature has reached an important milestone, and GIFFORDS hopes to see continued progress as the legislative session continues. 

According to GIFFORDS Law Center’s Annual Gun Law Scorecard, Nevada currently holds a C+ and ranks 17 out of 50 states in its gun laws. The state has the 15th highest gun death rate in the country.

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