Boom Box bill is a bust

Friday, May 25, 2001 | 10:49 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- In his first veto in 2001, Gov. Kenny Guinn killed the so-called Boom Box bill, saying it would be difficult for police to enforce, and the law would prompt numerous court challenges.

But Assemblywoman Vonne Chowning, D-North Las Vegas, who sponsored Assembly Bill 481, said she would try to round up enough votes to override the veto.

"I'm offended," said Chowning. "I was not consulted. I could have answered his concerns, but I was not given an opportunity."

The bill would have made it a misdemeanor for a person to operate a sound system in a car that could be heard 25 feet from the vehicle.

The governor said the issue should be decided by local governments "in a manner that best satisfies the needs of their local jurisdictions." The governor said it would "unduly burden the efforts of law enforcement" to enforce this legislation.

It would "undoubtedly cause law enforcement agencies to face numerous court challenges from ticketed drivers on the grounds that the sounds emanating from their motor vehicles were not audible from a distance of 25 feet or that this law was being selectively enforced against some of our citizens," he said.

There were complaints that black and Hispanic youths would be singled out by police.

But Chowning said Guinn's statement "is a direct slap at law enforcement officials." She said the governor is not giving credit to police and sheriff's deputies, who can uphold the law uniformly.

Law enforcement, she said, supported this bill, and other states are able to enforce similar laws.

Sound ordinances are in place in Clark County -- 75 feet -- and Las Vegas -- 50 feet.

"I have received calls from all over the state supporting this," Chowning said.

The boomboxes, she said, are used as "gang signals" as members drive through neighborhoods, using certain sounds to intimidate others.

Proponents add that the bill is a public safety issue because a driver playing loud music can't hear a siren as an emergency vehicle approaches.

The bill passed in the Assembly 24-13 and the Senate 14-6. She would need to round up 28 votes in the Assembly and 14 in the Senate to overcome the veto.