Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016 | 10:58 a.m.
CARSON CITY — Gov. Brian Sandoval doesn’t think a ballot initiative expanding gun background checks to include private sales will keep firearms out of the hands of criminals, a spokeswoman said.
Sandoval spokeswoman Mari St. Martin said the governor opposes ballot Question 1, which would require most private gun sales and transfers to go through a licensed firearms dealer for a background check.
The NRA is funding opposition to the ballot measure.
In a prepared statement, St. Martin said the governor “has concerns that this measure would unnecessarily restrict rights of law abiding Nevadans and that it does not actually address the complex issue of keeping firearms out of the hands of criminals.”
His declaration is drawing praise from the NRA and criticism from initiative supporters.
Nevadans for Background Checks accuses Sandoval of siding with the gun lobby against what the group calls a common-sense measure to save lives.
The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence says Sandoval isn’t really taking a position, and is misleading the public.
The petition qualified for the ballot with more than 55,234 signatures of registered voters.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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