Opponents, supporters react to Nebraska passing permitless concealed carry bill

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — After Nebraska senators passed the permitless concealed carry bill on Wednesday, there was reaction from across the political spectrum. 

The organization Nebraskans for Peace met Thursday outside the State Capitol to urge Gov. Jim Pillen to veto the bill.

“You got 200,000 people on the average in this state on the poverty level,” activist Derek Van Voast said. “Two hundred thousand. And we’re talking here about guns.” 

Demonstrators listened to speakers talk about gun violence in the U.S. and how it affects Nebraska. 

“We are not different,” said Maggie Ballard, the group’s president. “We think, ‘My kids are going to be safe; that’s not going to happen in my school.’ And then it does.” 

A Lincoln mother shared her experience of sending her children to school. She said parents have fear every day thinking about what can happen. 

“Policymakers are not listening to the people; they are listening to the big donors to their campaigns,” Nicole Tooker said. 

Other organizations had a different reaction.

The Nebraska Firearms Owners Association says this was a win for Nebraskans’ constitutional rights. 

“It’s a personal acknowledgement that we are born with this innate skill and right to defend ourselves,” said Patricia Harrold, the organization’s president. 

She said the group understands other people’s worries, as it is also concerned about mass shootings and violence. 

“We feel exactly the same way; we are as concerned of violence as they are,” Harrold said. “We just have come to a different conclusion as to what we are going to do about it.”

After the Legislature’s vote, Gov. Jim Pillen reacted on social media in support of the bill. 

He is expected to sign it into law next Tuesday.