In Nebraska, where same-sexmarriage has been illegal since 2000, legislators did something surprisingly pro-gay Tuesday. <\/p>\n
Lawmakers were voting on a bill that would make it easier for military spouses to get concealed-carry permits. But the language, as introduced, was vague. After all, who counts as a spouse under Nebraska law? The federal government recognizes gay marriages, but Nebraska doesnt. <\/p>\n
This seemed to rankle state Sen. Paul Schumacher (R), who argued that we should not allow gay love to get in the way of ones gun rights. <\/p>\n
Joe Duggan, a reporter with the Omaha World-Herald, has the killer quote from the hearing: <\/p>\n
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? <\/p>\n
Schumacher proposed an amendmentthat would extend the bills privileges to gay spouses,speeding up the process ofobtaining aconcealed carry permit. <\/p>\n
Why would we want to limit that right according to sexual orientation? he said, according toanother account of the hearing. <\/p>\n
The amendment passed 38to 0, and the bill passed the first round of voting 37 to 4. <\/p>\n
Duggan reports that one of the abstainers, state Sen. John Murante, pointed out that this seemedpretty pro-gay: <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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Read the original: In Nebraska, where same-sexmarriage has been illegal since 2000, legislators did something surprisingly pro-gay Tuesday. Lawmakers were voting on a bill that would make it easier for military spouses to get concealed-carry permits Continue reading
\nGovBeat: Nebraska state senators think gay love should not get in the way of gun rights<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"