LINCOLN- Gun rights advocates and those who support gun control differed on the merits of a bill that would rescind Nebraska’s 33-year-old handgun buyer’s permit law. The law requires anyone seeking to purchase, rent or receive a handgun to first obtain a state permit, costing $5, after first undergoing a criminal background check by a local law enforcement agency.

The permit is good for three years, which is what much of the debate was about. Right now, if someone obtained a state buyers permit and committed a felony or other offense the next day, that would disqualify the person from carrying a firearm, but that might not be discovered for another three years, said Sen. Tom Brewer. In this situation, an individual would still be able to purchase a gun.

Kelsey Remmers of the Nebraska State Patrol, which asked that LB 883 be introduced, testified it would close that “loophole” and “is in the best interest of public safety.” Supporters of gun control, Brewer said, should be in support of his proposal. That proposal is to require a background check at each purchase point as required by federal law.

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