Editor’s Note: The article in question was written by the Nevada Independent staff and re-printed in the GBS with permission.
Your article in the June 7 Great Basin Sun entitled "Lombardo Veto Tracker" described AB 355 as a bill "which would have raised the legal age to purchase certain semi-automatic rifles and shotguns to 21".
AB 355 would have done FAR more than that. AB 355 would have made it a crime for anyone under 21 to handle or possess a semi-automatic shotgun or rifle.
These are firearms that are commonly used by young and older hunters alike due to their reduced recoil.
There was no exception in the bill for young hunters who had been educated on these guns via state mandated hunter safety classes.
Furthermore, it would have also made it a crime for anyone 21 or over to allow a person under 21 to possess a semi-automatic shotgun or rifle.
Put into practice, if a parent and child were to go hunting chukar or ducks, with the parent using a semi-automatic shotgun which is located in the back seat of the truck in which they are driving, and the parent stops in a gas station before going into the field and leaves the gun in his truck with the minor child who is also in the truck, both could be arrested for a criminal act.
The minor child would have constructive possession of the gun, because it would be within in his exclusive dominion and control while the parent is outside of the truck.
The parent would be forced to keep the gun in a locked case, and ever allow his child to even touch the gun. The crimes designated against the adult in the bill included felonies, which, of course, would prohibit future possession of ANY firearm by the adult if convicted.
The media has described this as a public safety bill, and, per your article, a bill simply to raise the minimum age to purchase a firearm.
These descriptions do not give AB 355 the injustice it deserves, and gives the public an inaccurate picture of what the legislators in this State are trying to do (it passed both houses of the legislature on party lines, with every Democrat voting in favor of passage).
This bill was a gun control bill in its worst form, impacting standard hunting activities for law abiding families without any evidence that semi-automatic shotguns and rifles in the hands of our youth have a negative impact on public safety.
Similar legislation passed in California 3 years ago and was promptly struck down by the California courts as being an infringement on the 2nd Amendment.
Nevada Ducks Unlimited took the lead and partnered with over a dozen conservation organizations from around Nevada to defeat this legislation, which showed an 83% negative response on the legislative website.
Nevertheless, ignoring public opinion, AB 355 passed on party lines. Thankfully, Governor Lombardo vetoed this bill, recognizing it for what it was - an illegal gun control measure which would have had a dramatic impact on our hunting traditions, and which would have negatively impacted conservation organizations trying to foster hunting in our youth in an effort to make them future conservationists.
Kudos to our Governor!
Kyle Swanson
Nevada Ducks Unlimited Policy Chairman