'I think we just recognized gay marriage,' lawmaker says after amendment to gun permit bill

LINCOLN Granting military spouses the right to carry concealed handguns in Nebraska triggered a debate over gay marriage Tuesday in the Nebraska Legislature.

Current law allows nonresident military members to apply for a concealed gun permit without having to first live in Nebraska for 180 days to establish residency. A bill advanced from the first round of debate on a 37-4 vote would waive the residency period for military spouses who want to apply for gun permits.

Sen. Paul Schumacher of Columbus, however, questioned whether the bill would allow same-sex spouses to obtain gun permits given Nebraskas constitutional ban on gay marriage. He proposed an amendment so the gun privilege would apply to anyone receiving the federal benefits of a military spouse.

The Department of Defense extended benefits to same-sex spouses in 2013 following a U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

Is not the Second Amendment sex blind? Color blind? Schumacher said. What great evil would come from saying a partner of somebody in the military is entitled to exercise their Second Amendment rights to carry a concealed weapon in this state?

The amendment was adopted by a vote of 38-0.

Sen. John Murante of Gretna, who did not vote for or against the bill, expressed concern that the Schumacher amendment could be used to challenge Nebraskas ban on same-sex marriage.

I think we just recognized gay marriage, he said moments after the vote. We are now using the federal governments standard for who receives marriage benefits.

Sen. Dave Bloomfield of Hoskins, who sponsored the measure, said he does not think the amendment language will open up the states marriage law to attack. The state constitution definitively says gay marriage is not recognized within Nebraskas borders, he added.

The forms that a gun permit applicant fill out ask nothing about the gender of an applicants spouse, Bloomfield said.

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'I think we just recognized gay marriage,' lawmaker says after amendment to gun permit bill

NRA representative to discuss Second Amendment rights, gun control at Lehigh Valley event

A man exercises his right to open carry as he questions NRA lobbyist Suzanne Anglewicz during a March 2013 CEPTA event in Emmaus.Precious Petty | lehighvalleylive.com

A National Rifle Association representative is scheduled to speak this month at an event in Emmaus.

The Concerned East Penn Taxpayers Association on Feb. 17 is hosting Lexy Ruscak, a grassroots coordinator for the NRA Institute for Legislative Action, according to a news release. The institute is the association's lobbying arm.

Ruscak is slated to discuss the state of gun rights in Pennsylvania during a 7:30 p.m. talk at Emmaus Fire Co. No. 1, 50 S. Sixth St. A question-and-answer session is planned during the event, which runs until 9:30 p.m.

Ruscak's expected to focus on how new laws will affect Keystone State residents, specifically how they may limit local gun control laws, a proposed ban of human silhouette targets and whether publishing information about concealed carry permit holders is legal, the release says.

CEPTA hosted NRA lobbyist Suzanne Anglewicz in 2013, drawing about 75 people for a March event.

Precious Petty may be reached at ppetty@express-times.com. Follow her on Twitter @precpetty. Find Lehigh County news on Facebook.

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NRA representative to discuss Second Amendment rights, gun control at Lehigh Valley event

Lt. Gov. Reeves on Second Amendment protections, recognizing military service – Video


Lt. Gov. Reeves on Second Amendment protections, recognizing military service
Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves outlines his plans to reduce conceal carry permit fees and recognize military training for certain firearm permits in the 2015 session. ...

By: Tate Reeves

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Lt. Gov. Reeves on Second Amendment protections, recognizing military service - Video

Bill aims to loosen NH firearms regulations

Gun rights will take center stage at the New Hampshire Statehouse on Thursday when Second Amendment backers push a bill that would loosen firearms regulations.

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The state requires a permit for people to carry concealed pistols or revolvers. A bill sponsored by state Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley, R-Wolfeboro, would eliminate that requirement.

Supporters called the bill a common-sense change, but opponents said the change would hurt public safety.

The hearing is expected to draw a crowd.

This is actually a very simple change that would allow somebody to be able to carry a concealed weapon without a permit the same way that anybody today can carry openly any weapon theyre legally entitled to own, Bradley said.

Gun rights activists are quick to point out the bill does not alter what the law says about who can own a gun.

We havent changed anything. If youre not qualified to own a gun, you still cant own a gun and you still cant carry it concealed. So we havent changed anything other than to say that we know who you are, youre a good guy, why should you need to ask somebodys permission to do what you need to do to protect yourself and your family, said Bob Clegg, president of Pro-Gun New Hampshire.

Second Amendment backers have complained about the two weeks it can take to get a permit, but opponents of the bill said the process works well and is not overly restrictive.

New Hampshire is very lenient to begin with. For example, we dont have any restrictions on where you can carry a concealed weapon political events, bars, sports events, where tempers may run high, said Zandra Rice Hawkins of Granite State Progress.

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Bill aims to loosen NH firearms regulations

Talking SHOT with Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. – 2015 SHOT Show – Video


Talking SHOT with Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. - 2015 SHOT Show
Milwaukee County Sheriff, David A. Clarke Jr., discusses his experience combating the Anti-gun Lobby, and the importance of events like the SHOT Show for the preservation of our Second Amendment ...

By: National Shooting Sports Foundation | NSSF

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Talking SHOT with Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. - 2015 SHOT Show - Video