Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Home News

Get more news and info from where you live »

letters to the editor:

Damaging rules are hidden within Question 1

Here in Nevada, we are fortunate to have Gov. Brian Sandoval and Attorney General Adam Laxalt continue their principled opposition to Ballot Question 1, the background-check/gun-control proposal. This position proudly continues the tradition of our nation’s Founding Fathers and their wisdom in demanding protection for an armed citizenry and, ultimately, freedom. This wisdom is enshrined in the Second Amendment, which is the only freedom with the aegis of the directive “shall not be infringed.” Based on history, they knew many would chip away at this freedom.

A reading of Question 1 reveals not the touted simple background-check protocol, but a tangled web of special rules and people controls. There are special rules for ordinary people who enjoy casual target shooting and practice, other special rules for hunters and trappers, special rules for plinkers on public land, special rules for competitors, competitions and even entertainers. Some controls are even time- or location-dependent. There are even special rules for security, police and military in various circumstances. Violate these special rules and you are subject to imprisonment, fines, a loss of voting rights and other freedoms.

Appallingly, Question 1 has no special rules, controls or consequences to compel felons or other dangerous people to comply. Existing law already severely punishes their gun violations. Interestingly, Washington state enacted a Question 1 in 2014 and its gun violence hasn’t changed, perhaps because there are no reports of arrests or prosecutions resulting from its Question 1.

Question 1 backers are counting on emotional, uninformed and misinformed voters. I recommend a full reading of the text, just a Google search away. Then vote an informed no.

Join the Discussion:

Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.

Full comments policy