Concealed weapons will be legal in Omaha
Omaha is no longer out of step with the state’s new law allowing Nebraskans — with permits — to carry a concealed weapon.
The Omaha City Council on Tuesday repealed that community’s historic ban against carrying a concealed weapon, with a 5-2 veto-proof margin.
Omaha mayor Mike Fahey has promised a veto, but it appears the council would have enough votes to override it, said Omaha city clerk Buster Brown.
The vote leaves only Kearney with a citywide conceal carry ban. Lincoln is considering such a ban.
In Kearney, officials have made no attempt to change the 61-year-old ban on carrying concealed weapons, said Kearney Police Chief Dan Lynch.
The Lincoln City Council has scheduled a July 31 public hearing on a proposed ban. The council appears split on the proposal, which is supported by Mayor Coleen Seng.
The Legislature passed a law last session which allows citizens who obtain permits to conceal carry concealed firearms. The state law goes into effect Jan. 1.
The Omaha repeal won because of fairness and geography, said City Councilman Chuck Sigerson.
It’s fair because Nebraskans will be able to carry concealed weapons in almost every other community across the state, Sigerson said.
And Omaha’s geography would create enforcement problems, he said.
It would be “an absolute nightmare” to enforce a conceal carry ban in Omaha because of the way city limit boundaries are drawn, Sigerson said. In one neighborhood it would be legal to have a concealed weapon, while a block away it would be illegal, he pointed out.
Besides, only the “cream of the crop” will be getting conceal carry permits, Sigerson said.
People who get a Nebraska permit must pass a safety course and undergo a background check.
Reach Nancy Hicks at 473-7250 or nhicks@journalstar.com.
The Omaha City Council on Tuesday repealed that community’s historic ban against carrying a concealed weapon, with a 5-2 veto-proof margin.
Omaha mayor Mike Fahey has promised a veto, but it appears the council would have enough votes to override it, said Omaha city clerk Buster Brown.
The vote leaves only Kearney with a citywide conceal carry ban. Lincoln is considering such a ban.
In Kearney, officials have made no attempt to change the 61-year-old ban on carrying concealed weapons, said Kearney Police Chief Dan Lynch.
The Lincoln City Council has scheduled a July 31 public hearing on a proposed ban. The council appears split on the proposal, which is supported by Mayor Coleen Seng.
The Legislature passed a law last session which allows citizens who obtain permits to conceal carry concealed firearms. The state law goes into effect Jan. 1.
The Omaha repeal won because of fairness and geography, said City Councilman Chuck Sigerson.
It’s fair because Nebraskans will be able to carry concealed weapons in almost every other community across the state, Sigerson said.
And Omaha’s geography would create enforcement problems, he said.
It would be “an absolute nightmare” to enforce a conceal carry ban in Omaha because of the way city limit boundaries are drawn, Sigerson said. In one neighborhood it would be legal to have a concealed weapon, while a block away it would be illegal, he pointed out.
Besides, only the “cream of the crop” will be getting conceal carry permits, Sigerson said.
People who get a Nebraska permit must pass a safety course and undergo a background check.
Reach Nancy Hicks at 473-7250 or nhicks@journalstar.com.
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