LAS VEGAS -- When it comes to guns, Nevadans are passionate. New state bills working their way through Carson City could allow anyone who buys a gun to conceal it with no restrictions. It's just one of the many changes that could come.
For advocates it's about privacy and principle. They feel if you go through a background check and can legally own a gun, you shouldn't have to go through more tests to conceal it. Others say that means more danger anywhere, anytime.
For the uninitiated, the Clark County Shooting Park may seem like a place filled with people who love guns and buck the rules. "If you can pass a background check to obtain a firearm legally, you should be allowed to carry it," said Cameron Filar, gun owner. But not every shooter is anti-government. Filar and other firearm enthusiasts are keeping their sights on proposed laws that would repeal concealed carry laws. Filar doesn't like it.
"You don't want to have a bunch of uneducated people running around carrying firearms. So maybe it's not such a good idea that we repeal these laws," Filar said. He does however support the idea of streamlining the process for CCW permits. Right now you have to qualify on weapons of nearly every type.
Senate Bill 126 already passed the Senate and will likely become law. State Senator Don Gustavson says though, scrap the whole thing and repeal all CCW restrictions.
"I think the permitting process is something that we don't need," said Gustavson. The Sparks Republican's plan, SB 176 still hasn't had a hearing and it might not. Gustavson just wants to take a stand.
"So it's something that I believe. It's a right we need to preserve and shouldn't be one that's taken away from us because there are people that are anti-gun," Gustavson said.
"Guns are part of Nevada's way of life. They've been here since the founding of the state and it's part of the west," said Launce Rake who is with Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada.
Left-leaning political activist Launce Rake bucks expectations too. He's against the proposal even though he owns a gun. He wants to make sure there is extra training if people want to carry concealed weapons. He also wants police to know more about who is packing.
"If people are carrying concealed weapons willy nilly, then they're going to have an even more difficult time and those law enforcement officers are going to be in danger," he said.
Gustavson feels passing a federal background check should be enough to weed out unsafe owners. But his plans don't end at the range. He also wants to honor gun rights through a new Second Amendment license plate. The fees would go to a fund for children of slain police and firefighters.
"I thought, well this would be a great time to do a license plate for that," said Gustavson.
His repeal proposal has not been given a hearing yet and may not. He's in the minority in the Senate and sometimes controversial bills like this don't come up for a vote. It has until April 15 to pass. The license plate may have to wait a while too. There is already a waiting list eight deep with other charities who get first crack at their personal plates.
