OMAHA, LINCOLN RESPONSES TO NEW CONCEALED HANDGUN LAW COULD BE HEADED TO COURT

OMAHA- Since the Nebraska Legislature this year limited cities’ authority to regulate concealed handguns more strictly than the state does, Omaha and Lincoln have restricted people from carrying concealed handguns on some city land. Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert and Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird issued executive orders this summer asserting that their cities would not allow guns on most city-owned properties, citing an exception in LB77.

“Recognizing the epidemic of gun violence claiming innocent lives across our nation and that LB77 eliminates common sense safety training for gun owners, I took action to safeguard City … employees and community members,” Gaylor Baird said. Stothert, announcing her order in August, said she wanted people visiting city buildings, parks and facilities to “feel safe.”

LB77 made three big changes to state law: It lets people carry concealed handguns without a permit. It lets them carry the weapons without undergoing state-mandated training. And it aims to eliminate cities’ authority to enact gun ordinances. Sen. Tom Brewer, the bill's introducer, has asked Attorney General Mike Hilgers for an opinion on what he called the cities’ “illegal” orders.

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