Gun Control Gets a Big, Fat Veto in Nevada

Published on June 27, 2025
Duration: 5:52

Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo vetoed Assembly Bill 245, which sought to ban the sale of semi-automatic rifles and shotguns to individuals aged 18-20. The governor cited concerns about the bill being overly broad, potentially impacting waterfowl hunting, and its questionable constitutionality based on existing Supreme Court precedent. This action highlights the governor's role in preserving Second Amendment rights against legislative efforts towards civilian disarmament.

Quick Summary

Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo vetoed Assembly Bill 245, which proposed banning semi-automatic rifle and shotgun sales to 18-20 year olds. The governor cited the bill's overbreadth, impact on hunting, and likely unconstitutionality based on Supreme Court precedent as reasons for his veto.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Nevada Gun Control Efforts
  2. 00:57Lesson from Nevada: The Power of the Veto
  3. 01:18Nevada Assembly Bill 245 Explained
  4. 01:36Prohibited Firearms and Age Restrictions
  5. 01:56Penalties for Assisting Minors
  6. 02:08Previous Legislative Attempts (AB 355)
  7. 02:22Governor Lombardo's Veto Statement
  8. 03:39Constitutional Concerns and Precedent
  9. 04:02Age Restrictions and Legal Purgatory
  10. 04:33Military Service vs. Civilian Rights
  11. 04:50Conclusion: AB 245 Vetoed

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Nevada Assembly Bill 245?

Nevada Assembly Bill 245 was a legislative proposal that aimed to ban the sale of semi-automatic rifles and shotguns to individuals aged 18, 19, and 20. It also sought to prohibit possession by this age group, even for hunting, and imposed felony charges for assisting underage individuals in possessing such firearms.

Why did Governor Joe Lombardo veto Assembly Bill 245?

Governor Lombardo vetoed AB 245 because he deemed it overly broad, citing concerns that it would prohibit commonly used firearms for hunting like semi-automatic shotguns. He also stated that the bill was unlikely to pass constitutional muster based on existing U.S. Supreme Court precedent.

What are the legal implications of the veto of Nevada AB 245?

The veto of AB 245 means that the proposed ban on semi-automatic rifle and shotgun sales to 18-20 year olds in Nevada did not become law. This preserves the right of individuals in that age group to purchase and possess these types of firearms in Nevada, subject to existing federal and state regulations.

Has Nevada attempted similar gun control legislation before?

Yes, Governor Lombardo had previously vetoed a similar bill, Assembly Bill 355, in the prior legislative session. AB 245 was described as strikingly similar, with some aspects, like felony charges for sales to those under 21, being even more stringent.

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