Panel seeks ban on concealed weapons

Tuesday, Dec. 14, 1999 | 8:47 a.m.

Assembly Majority Leader Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, a member of the Legislative Commission, recommended the weapons ban, and got unanimous support from other panel members Monday.

Legislative hearings can frequently become emotional and are no place for weapons, said Perkins, a Henderson Police Department captain.

The Legislature also has a police force to ensure the safety of lawmakers, staff and the public, he said.

"This is not an environment where you would want to have a firearm in close proximity," Perkins said.

The Legislature earlier this year enacted a law that allows concealed weapons in many public buildings unless signs are posted indicating otherwise.

Lorne Malkiewich, director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau, says some people still could carry concealed weapons into legislative buildings, with written permission. This rule would apply to lawmakers themselves as well as visitors, including law enforcement officials.

Assemblyman Lynn Hettrick, R-Gardnerville, the author of the original legislation, said in October he hoped that most public buildings would allow citizens with concealed-weapons permits to enter with their weapons.

Hettrick, who has such a permit, didn't testify at the Legislative Commission hearing.

In other action, the head of the commission, which handles political and policy issues for lawmakers between sessions, said the response to legislative audit recommendations by state agencies is unacceptable.

Sen. Ann O'Connell, R-Las Vegas, made the comments after Legislative Auditor Gary Crews reported that eight agencies audited recently have implemented only 18 of 71 recommendations and partially implemented another 48.

He said that's only 25 percent compliance, compared with the 60 percent agencies implemented in 1997-98.

"I think it's important they get the impression the commission is breathing down your neck and will be breathing down their neck," O'Connell told Crews.

Crews pointed out that the agencies are insulated by the separation of powers which divides the legislative and executive branches of government.

But he said that doesn't mean the Legislature has no power to force some change, suggesting that lawmakers can use the budget process as a lever.

"What can the Legislature do in this process? I think that's left up to your money committees," he told the commission.