Folks, I still think we need to fight this language in AM993. This was my letter to some friendly Senators:
Dear Senators,
The amendment that was introduced by Senator Avery (AM993) and adopted by the legislature defines colleges & universities as schools. As a permit holder and a university student I have major concerns with the language in this amendment.
As I read it, the amendment makes it illegal for students (adult or not) to have guns on campus or even in their vehicles. A non-student adult however may have a firearm in their vehicle as long as it is unloaded and fully encased.
I feel that this creates another host of problems for Concealed Handgun Permit holders who are either adult non-students or adult students.
As mentioned above I am an adult, Concealed Handgun Permit holder, and university student. When I do my errands for the day I would like to carry my concealed handgun with me for personal protection. One of my stops during the day might be the University bookstore for example. The law would require me to drive back home and drop my handgun off, and then drive back to school to buy my book. Then I would have to drive back home, pick up my gun and continue with the other errands for the day.
Another example would be a non-student adult, who has a Concealed Handgun Permit, trying to pick up a friend or family member from the university/college campus/school. The law would require this person to pull over to the side of the road, take the concealed handgun out of their pants, unload the handgun, and place the handgun in a case or locked container before entering the university/college/school property with their vehicle.
Is it not the intention of LB430 to allow Concealed Handgun Permit holders to "carry anywhere in Nebraska" and to allow them to be exempt from criminal prosecution "so long as the handgun is not removed from the vehicle while the vehicle is in or on the place or premises."?
I would appreciate an amendment to AM993 to allow an exception for Concealed Handgun Permit holders to possess loaded concealed handguns in their vehicles parked on school property.
Thank you for hearing my concerns regarding this matter.