I discussed LB430 with Senator Ashford last night

[PhilK]

I attended in ?Informational meeting to discuss matters important to you and your family? with Senator Brad Ashford (chairman of the Judiciary Committee) last night.  There were ten citizens, the Senator, and an associate (aide?) of his in attendance.

I spent most of my time listening to Senator Ashford update everyone on LB403 (immigration), LB35 / LB63 (crime prevention / intervention), and the anticipated use of Federal ?Stimulus? funds for various activities.  The majority of the people present were interested in immigration issues.

I brought up the subject of LB430, explaining the original Concealed Carry Act to those present and the ?patchwork? of laws that exist now.  I further discussed the confusion that has arisen from the recent opinion of the Attorney General stating that state law preempts local bans on the carry of concealed weapons.

Senator Ashford was most accommodating and was able to speak with reasonable accuracy on the subject.  He stated that he was ?in favor of concealed carry? and favorable to the idea of safe passage laws that allow one to bring a firearm though otherwise prohibited areas.

I then explained some of the consequences of the Attorney General?s opinion:   Kearney repealed its ordinance on January 27, Beatrice has left its ordinance on the books but has stated they will not enforce it, the Hastings City Council has stated they will wait to see what the Unicameral does, and the Columbus city attorney is quoted in the Columbus Telegram stating, ?right now (current city code) is enforceable and is being enforced.?   Senator Ashford was very puzzled by Columbus? position rhetorically asking, ?What?s wrong with Columbus??
 
Senator Ashford stated that he would support LB430 both in committee and on the floor.  When I asked if he could help move it along out of committee, his response was that they ?have a lot of bills? in committee and that ?Mark (Christensen) is not pushing the bill.?

I found Senator Ashford to articulate in expressing his thoughts and open minded to the opinions of others.  He did, as good politicians do, tend to want to do most of the talking and control of the context or ?framing? of the topics discussed. 

Interestingly, all the people present who expressed an opinion on concealed carry were in favor of it.

End of report.

[Jay]

Thanks for attending and speaking, PhilK!

Ashford is a slippery one, and while I'm sure he was accommodating last night, I won't forget how "accommodating" and "open minded" he was in past public hearings in the unicam.

The fact that he said he was "in favor of concealed carry" makes me laugh.

Thanks for the report, very interesting...

[Dan W]

HMMMMM.... I am confused as to why Mark Christensen is not pushing his own bill.

Sounds like we all need to ask him.

I will email him now

[Aldo]

Hey, Phil, thanks very much for taking the time to attend that session and participate and then report back to all of us.  Greatly appreciated!

I don't know Ashford from any past experience, and so in light of what you and Jay are both saying, I am definitely confused.  Was Ashford being sincere, or just getting by?  It would be nice if his verbal position last night was for the record via a newspaper article or other public written venue so that he can be held accountable a bit more than just what he could say later on is hearsay.

It will be good to hear from Sen Christensen.  Dan W, keep us posted.  Might not be bad for others to also contact Sen Christensen to nudge him along.

[Randy]

Mark Christensen,  christensen@leg.ne.gov   Charlie Janssen, cjanssen@leg.ne.gov

Let us write both of these as well as your regional Unicameral Senators.

Some excerts from my email.

LB430 Being the highest on our priority list. As you may know, there has been little press on the bill content.
This could be a good or bad thing.

Senator Brad Ashford Chairman of the Judiciary committee whom in the past has been quite vocal as an anti-firearm Senator.
 While speaking at an Omaha Westside High school public meeting when asked his opinion on LB430.

?Senator Ashford stated that he would support LB430 both in committee and on the floor. When asked if he could help move it along out of committee, his response was that they ?have a lot of bills? in committee and that ?Mark (Christensen) is not pushing the bill?.                       

Senator this is a very well written bill and I commend you and Senator Janssen on this bill.
The only thing that could approve it would be Castle Doctrine (also known as a Castle Law or a Defense of Habitation Law
We as an Organization have great concern if it LB430 is even going to get to committee.