Say yes to Question 1 to curb gun violence in Nevada

By Elaine Sanchez, Las Vegas

Thursday, July 21, 2016 | 2 a.m.

We cannot afford to stand idly by any longer as our communities are hurt by gun violence. As a mom, a businesswoman and a Nevadan, it is imperative to me that we stand together as a community to help prevent the senseless death of another person at the hand of someone prohibited from possessing a gun.

There is no law in Nevada requiring background checks for private gun sales that similarly exist for licensed gun dealers. Felons and other dangerous people are using a loophole in the law to be able to buy a gun without a criminal background check.

As a member of the Question 1 Advisory Board, I have heard the stories of gun-violence survivors and the alarming statistics on gun violence in our state, and I know we can do better. In 18 other states with laws like the one Question 1 is seeking to pass, rates of police officers killed with guns, gun suicides and gun trafficking are cut nearly in half. Question 1 is a common-sense measure that would make it harder for those seeking to exploit loopholes in the law to buy a gun, and it would, in turn, reduce gun violence in our communities.

I am proud to be a part of the Latin Chamber of Commerce, which has endorsed Question 1 and pledged to join the fight to reduce gun violence in Nevada. We can make our communities safer without infringing upon the rights of law-abiding gun owners by voting yes on Question 1.