Nevada Governor Lombardo Vetoes Gun Control Bills, Cites FPC Legal Cases as Reason

CARSON CITY, NV (May 18, 2023) — Today, Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) announced that Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo vetoed AB354 and AB355, which would have restricted residents’ ability to self-manufacture firearms and banned young adults from possessing common rifles and shotguns. In doing so, Lombardo cited rulings in FPC’s Rigby v. Jennings and Jones v. Bonta cases as reasons for the vetoes.

“Finally, AB 354’s aim to end the transfer of certain firearm parts and receivers would place an impermissible burden on constitutionally protected conduct because possession of firearms, firearm frames, and receivers is within the scope of the Second Amendment’s right to keep and bear arms,” wrote Lombardo in his veto message. “Last fall, a Delaware judge ruled that prohibitions on manufacturing and possession are not ‘consistent with the nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation.’”

“AB 355 is presumably intended to decrease gun violence in communities across the state – an admirable goal,” wrote Lombardo. “However, last year, in Jones v. Bonta, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals struck down as unconstitutional California’s ban on the sale of semiautomatic rifles to adults younger than 21. In a 2-1 panel decision, the court found that the Second Amendment ‘protects the right of young adults to keep and bear arms, which includes the right to purchase them.’”

“FPC and our members applaud Governor Lombardo for his siding with history and individual rights,” stated Richard Thomson, FPC’s Vice President of Programs. “We are pleased that not only did the Governor veto these unconstitutional and immoral measures, but that the years of effort of our members, supporters, and litigation team contributed to the decision. The tide continues to turn toward individual liberty and respect for fundamental rights.”

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Firearms Policy Coalition (firearmspolicy.org), a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization, exists to create a world of maximal human liberty, defend constitutional rights, advance individual liberty, and restore freedom. FPC’s efforts are focused on the Right to Keep and Bear Arms and adjacent issues including freedom of speech, due process, unlawful searches and seizures, separation of powers, asset forfeitures, privacy, encryption, and limited government. The FPC team are next-generation advocates working to achieve the Organization’s strategic objectives through litigation, research, scholarly publications, amicus briefing, legislative and regulatory action, grassroots activism, education, outreach, and other programs.

FPC Law (FPCLaw.org) is the nation’s first and largest public interest legal team focused on the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, and the leader in the Second Amendment litigation and research space.