Nebraska’s permitless concealed carry bill could be heading to the governor’s desk

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Nebraska’s controversial permitless concealed carry bill could be heading to the governor’s desk this Wednesday.

The final reading is scheduled at the Capitol, and Gov. Jim Pillen has said he supports the measure.

UPDATE: Nebraska Legislature passes permitless concealed carry bill

If it passes, Nebraska would become the 26th state that allows people to carry a concealed handgun without a permit.

Right now, you’re required to not only get a $100 permit, but also to pass a safety course, which can cost more than $200.

Lincoln Police Chief Teresa Ewins has come out against the so-called constitutional carry bill several times, saying it’s poorly written and puts lives at risk.

Sen. Tom Brewer, who introduced the legislation and has made it a top priority for years now, says this is about guaranteeing the right to bear arms in Nebraska.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nebraska has the 10th-lowest rate of firearm deaths in the entire country, as of 2021.

That year, 200 lives were lost to gun violence across our state.  A nonprofit says many of those are suicides.

Using data from 2019, the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence found that 75% of Nebraska’s firearm deaths involved people taking their own lives.

Homicides made up 20%, with Black males disproportionately impacted.

Their firearm homicide rate is 23 times higher than that of white males, when comparing people between 15 and 34 years old.