Everytown for Gun Safety and Nebraska Moms Demand Action Call on Lawmakers to Oppose Guns in Bars and Punishing Nebraska Cities for Common Sense Public Safety Measures

LINCOLN, Neb., March 19, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Nebraska chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a part of Everytown for Gun Safety, calls on Nebraska lawmakers to oppose LB289, a bill that would revoke the ability of Nebraska cities and villages to pass common-sense public safety measures designed to keep their communities safe. The bill would create special rules for the gun lobby and other outside groups—like the National Rifle Association—to sue Nebraska cities and communities over life-saving local firearms ordinances, and collect outrageous fees from the taxpayers. Volunteers from the Nebraska chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America will come together today at the Judiciary Committee hearing to give testimony in opposition to this legislation that threatens public safety and local authority. The Nebraska chapter of Moms Demand Action has over 7000 members statewide.

If signed into law, this punitive measure would mean that mayors and law enforcement would be prohibited from attempting to protect their own communities from gun violence. Even worse, taxpayers would foot the bill for costly lawsuits, as local governments would be forced to pay four times the gun lobby trial lawyers' fees if they lose in court. 

In states like Pennsylvania, which passed a similar bill last year, four cities have been sued, including suits brought by out-of-state interest groups headquartered in Texas and Virginia.   

"LB289 is a direct attack on the local leaders like mayors and police chiefs who are doing everything to protect our families and communities from gun violence," said Jan Hobbs, a volunteer with the Nebraska chapter of Moms Demand Action. "Even worse, taxpayers would foot the bill for costly lawsuits, as local governments would be forced to pay outrageous fees to the gun lobby's trial lawyers. Instead of protecting the people, the legislature would be doing a favor for the gun lobby. Moms call on the Nebraska legislature to stand up for its constituents and oppose this dangerous bill."

On Friday, the Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hear LB635, a bill that would allow people to carry concealed, loaded handguns in Nebraska bars—despite the fact that studies have shown increased accident and homicide rates from mixing guns and alcohol, and despite the fact that 93% of Americans think people should not be allowed to bring guns into bars.

About Everytown for Gun Safety

Everytown is the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country with more than 2.5 million supporters and more than 40,000 donors including moms, mayors, survivors, and everyday Americans who are fighting for public safety measures that respect the Second Amendment and help save lives.  At the core of Everytown are Mayors Against Illegal Guns and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a grassroots movement of American mothers founded the day after the Sandy Hook tragedy.  Learn more at www.everytown.org and follow us @Everytown

About Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America is a grassroots movement of American mothers fighting for public safety measures that respect the Second Amendment and protect people from gun violence. Moms Demand Action campaigns for new and stronger solutions to lax gun laws and loopholes that jeopardize the safety of our children and families. Since its inception after the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Moms Demand Action has established a chapter in every state of the country and along with Mayors Against Illegal Guns is part of Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country with more than 2.5 million members and more than 40,000 donors. For more information or to get involved visit www.momsdemandaction.org. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MomsDemandAction or on Twitter at @MomsDemand

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SOURCE Everytown for Gun Safety; Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America