Campus carry bill could be sent to Assembly floor this week

CARSON CITY — A controversial bill that would allow people with concealed weapons permits to carry their guns on Nevada college campuses was given a brief hearing in the Assembly Judiciary Committee on Tuesday and could soon move to the full Assembly for a vote.

Assembly Bill 487, an emergency measure authorized by Speaker John Hambrick, R-Las Vegas, did not see any testimony from supporters or opponents.

Judiciary Chairman Ira Hansen, R-Sparks, said he would not entertain any testimony on the measure because it has been debated at length in a previous hearing.

The bill is scheduled for a work session on Wednesday where it will likely move to the full Assembly for a vote.

Assemblyman James Oscarson, R-Pahrump, answered a few brief questions on the bill that is the newest incarnation of Assembly Bill 148, which passed the Assembly earlier this session but did not get a hearing in the Senate.

The new bill was introduced last week after an attempt to amend the campus carry language into a separate Second Amendment bill failed in the Assembly. That measure, Senate Bill 175, was approved by the Assembly and is on its way to Gov. Brian Sandoval.

Oscarson said no promises have been made that the new campus carry bill will get a hearing in the Senate or ultimately win approval.

Assemblyman Nelson Araujo, D-Las Vegas, expressed disappointment that the many people who signed in to testify on the measure were not allowed to speak.

The bill has seen strong opposition from many, but not all, students at the state’s colleges. Most faculty and other officials oppose the measure as well. But supporters argue that concealed weapons permit holders are well trained and should be able to carry their firearms on campuses.

The original measure was introduced by Assemblywoman Michele Fiore, R-Las Vegas, on behalf of Amanda Collins, a concealed weapons permit holder who was unarmed when she was raped by James Biela in a parking garage on the University of Nevada, Reno campus in 2007.

It is the third attempt to get the so called campus carry bill through the Nevada Legislature to allow those with concealed weapons permits to carry their guns on the campuses of the Nevada System of Higher Education.

Currently, concealed weapons are prohibited on campuses unless an individual obtains permission from the college president. Permission is rarely granted. Concealed weapons permits can only be obtained by those age 21 or older.