Senator McKinney questions delay in addressing juvenile gun permitting issues

The Nebraska Judiciary Committee meeting on March 27, 2025, focused on a proposed bill addressing gaps in the gun permitting process that have persisted since 2018. Senator McKinney raised questions about the timing of the bill, noting that he had not been involved in the gun permitting process since February 2020 and was unaware of previous discussions regarding this issue.

During the meeting, it was highlighted that there had been various hearings and rulings from the Attorney General's office concerning the interpretation of the gun laws. Senator McKinney expressed concern over the lack of action on this issue, especially given reports of juveniles with sealed records obtaining firearms. He pointed out that the committee receives numerous applications from juveniles each year, some of whom have serious convictions that make them unsuitable for gun ownership.

The senator emphasized the frustration of law enforcement, who often encounter these individuals with firearms and question how they obtained them. Despite the concerns raised, he noted that he had not heard discussions about this issue in previous legislative sessions, including during the consideration of LB 77.

The meeting concluded without further comments from proponents, opponents, or neutral testifiers, leaving the future of the proposed bill uncertain. The discussions underscored the ongoing challenges in addressing gun safety and the complexities of the permitting process in Nebraska.