Kearney Lawmakers Repeal Concealed Weapons Ban
After more than 50 years on the books, Kearney erased its concealed weapon ban Tuesday night.
By a vote of four to one, council decided to follow the Attorney General's opinion and
repeal its ban.
The state's law allowing people to carry concealed weapons went into effect in 2006. Recently, the senator from District 44, Mark Christensen, asked Attorney General Jon Bruning to take a look. Bruning issued an opinion saying the state law overrules local bans.
The majority of council members say they trust the Attorney General and don't want to chance
getting taken to court.
Stanley CLouse, the mayor of Kearney, says "It potentially create a situation where law abiding citizens become in violation of the law and it's just a matter of time until were facing some litigation. So, in my view, I think we should repeal the ordinance."
Councilman Randy Buschkoettter was the only one who voted to keep the ban. He says the legislature purposely left out wording that makes the state law supreme.
Randy Buschkoetter, vice-president of the Kearney city council, says "They didn't forget it. They meant to leave it out and left the door open for us to make those decisions and nothing has changed since the last time we addressed this two years ago."
Folks will be able to carry concealed weapons with a permit in Kearney in 30 days.
Only about 4,700 Nebraskans statewide have gotten those permits so far.
