Lawmakers to rethink ban on concealed weapons in offices

Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2000 | 9:56 a.m.

The Legislative Commission voted in December to post signs banning concealed weapons in its offices and buildings.

But Lorne Malkiewich, director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau, said he'll wait until after the next discussion before ordering the signs that are required if the operators of a public building don't allow concealed weapons.

Sen. Ann O'Connell, R-Las Vegas, chairwoman of the commission, recently agreed to rehear the issue.

Assemblyman Lynn Hettrick, R-Gardnerville, the author of 1999 legislation that made it easier for people to carry concealed weapons into public buildings, is expected to present arguments why the commission should change its stand.

But Assembly Majority Leader Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, a police captain and commission member, said Monday he doesn't believe there is any new information that will change his mind.

The decision to post the signs and ban concealed weapons was a unanimous vote of the 12-member commission at its Dec. 13 meeting. The commission meets again March 13.

"I thought the issue through carefully from a number of angles and discussed it with people on both sides of the issue," Perkins said. "The decision will make it less of a burden on our officers, who we expect to provide public safety in our buildings."

Perkins made the motion to post the signs banning weapons at the December meeting. He argued that because the Legislature has its own police force, citizens carrying concealed weapons could only make matters worse if an incident was to occur.

"If a Good Samaritan, a permit holder with a weapon, brandished the weapon, how could our police determine who is the good guy and who is the bad guy?" he said. "We don't want a tragedy to occur."

Some other state buildings have also posted signs prohibiting concealed weapons. The Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation office in Carson City is posted, as is the Kinkead Building, which houses primarily the Department of Human Resources. The Capitol Building, which houses the offices of the governor and some other offices, has not been posted.

Nevadans can carry concealed weapons if they obtain the necessary permit, submit to a background check and have no criminal records. They also must pass a safety course in the use of the firearm. About 13,000 residents have the permits.