Gov. Jim Pillen on Tuesday signed into law a bill authorizing Nebraskans to carry concealed handguns without a permit or gun safety training while praising Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon, its sponsor, for his “grit and determination” in gaining its enactment.
Pillen said it was “a great day for our Constitution.”
The U.S. Constitution guarantees Americans “the right to keep and bear arms,” the governor said, and Tuesday signified a day of “promises made, promises kept.”
The bill (LB77) sends a message that “Nebraska as a state supports the Second Amendment,” Pillen said.
The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states that “the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed,” although the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that “like most rights, the right secured by the Second Amendment is not unlimited.”
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A couple dozen state senators joined a scattering of law enforcement officers and gun advocates at the signing ceremony.
Brewer’s bill was passed by the Legislature on a 33-14 vote, ending a seven-year effort by the retired U.S. Army colonel to gain sufficient legislative support to enact a bill.
Brewer, wearing a red, white and blue tie, thanked his colleagues “for being there for me.”
Later, during an interview outside the legislative chamber, Brewer said he welcomed the day with “a lot of relief.”
“We had to change the proposal so many times and keep going back to the players,” including law enforcement officers and representatives of the National Rifle Association, to fashion the legislation, Brewer said.
“My district and most of Nebraska outside of Lincoln and Omaha is pretty positive” about the new law, he said.
When the bill was enacted by the Legislature, negative votes were cast by eight metropolitan Omaha senators, five Lincoln senators and Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont.
The bill was opposed by the cities of Lincoln and Omaha.
Photos: Jim Pillen marks 100 days in governor’s office
Former Illinois prison director, Rob Jeffreys (right), is introduced by Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen (left) as the new director of Nebraska Department of Correction Services at the Nebraska State Capitol on April 3.
Carolyn Bosn (center) and her husband, Reggie Bosn, look on as she is being appointed to replace state Sen. Suzanne Geist’s District 25 seat by Gov. Jim Pillen on April 6 at the Capitol.
Gov. Jim Pillen and others pay tribute to fallen World War II service members during a ceremony Tuesday at Offutt Air Force Base.
Gov. Jim Pillen speaks with employees at Hexagon Agility in Lincoln on Monday.
Gov. Jim Pillen raises his hands as he talks with fourth graders, including Spirit and Grace Academy student Burke Newell (right) on March 1 at the Capitol.
Gov. Jim Pillen smiles before naming the metal pig statue at the governor’s office, Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at the Capitol.
Christ Lincoln Schools fourth grader Hudson Parr (right) rides the metal pig statue named Petunia as Gov. Jim Pillen watches on March 1.
Gov. Jim Pillen (left) gifts a cowboy hat to Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook during the “Volleyball Day in Nebraska” news conference Feb. 24 at Memorial Stadium.
Former Nebraska football coach Tom Osborne speaks during a press conference at the Capitol on Feb. 6 about Gov. Jim Pillen’s mentoring program for young Nebraskans.
Gov. Jim Pillen delivers his State of the State address on Jan. 25 at the Capitol in Lincoln.
Gov. Jim Pillen (center) announces the appointment of former governor Pete Ricketts to Nebraska’s open Senate seat, during an announcement on Jan. 12 at Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln. The vacancy, left open by the departure of Ben Sasse, had been expected to go to Ricketts after his departure from the governorship last year.
Gov. Jim Pillen (from left) tweeted a photo of himself with former Govs. Pete Ricketts, Kay Orr, Dave Heineman, Mike Johanns and Ben Nelson.
Gov. Jim Pillen speaks at his inaugural ball in Omaha on Jan. 7.
Gov. Jim Pillen shakes hands with Sen. Tony Vargas after the inauguration ceremony for the governor on Jan. 5 at the Capitol in Lincoln.
A camera flash illuminates newly elected Gov. Jim Pillen (center left) as he is escorted through the Capitol Rotunda to be sworn in on Jan. 5.
Newly elected Gov. Jim Pillen (right) points out to a crowd in the upper level of the legislative chamber after taking his oath of office on Jan. 5 at the Capitol in Lincoln.
Jim Pillen poses with supporters during his election night party on Tuesday at Marriott Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln.
Jim Pillen speaks to supporters after declaring victory in the gubernatorial election Nov. 8.
Reach the writer at 402-473-7248 or dwalton@journalstar.com.
On Twitter @LJSdon