Governor Ricketts of Nebraska: no Problem with Open Carry at Protests, 2A rights Prevail

Image screenshot from Youtube video KETV, cropped and scaled by Dean Weingarten

There are few Governors who will unabashadly support the exercise of Second Amendment rights at protests inside their own state Capitol buildings. Governor Pete Rickets of Nebraska is one of them.

On 12 January, 2021, Governor Pete Ricketts gave a press conference about how the Covid19 protective measures.

At about 42:11 in the video, a reporter asks about potential "armed protestors" at the Capitol. From Governor Ricketts:

So, If  people want to protest and bring their guns, obviously open carry is allowed in Nebraska.  But I would suggest that everybody remember that we have a pandemic going on, and a protest should be done peacefully, also be thoughtful, that people are nervous about bringing guns out, and be thoughtful about that as well. 

In another clip from the press conference, Governor Ricketts referenced the second Amendment. That was in a seven second clip from wowt.com:

and, again, it is a Second Amendment right, it is in the Constitution.

This isn't the first time Governor Ricketts has come out in support of Second Amendment rights, against the media narrative. On 21 February, 2020, Governor Ricketts showed political courage and stood for Second Amendment rights and open carry.

Nebraska  Republican State Senator Suzanne Geist, District 25, was also willing to speak up when asked about the issue from KETV on a Youtube video:

We know that some are saying it will be an armed protest.  And frankly, that's also their right as well.  That is legal in our state. 

 

Nebraska is an open carry state. The State has a strong state constitutional protection of the right to keep and bear arms.  Governor Pete Ricketts affirmed the right in a webpage dated 18 February, 2020:

“The right to keep and bear arms for security or defense of self, family, home, and others, and for lawful common defense, hunting, recreational use, and all other lawful purposes...shall not be denied or infringed by the state or any subdivision thereof.”

On the same webpage, Governor Ricketts comes out strongly against "red flag" laws:

While Nebraska has a long tradition of protecting Second Amendment rights, it’s important to be vigilant against legislative attempts to erode them.  LB 58, a bill currently under consideration by the Legislature, would infringe on your right to bear arms in Nebraska.  The so-called “Red Flag Law” would permit household members or law enforcement to go before a court to “flag” someone as unfit to have a firearm.  Based on this allegation, the court could then order a search of the property of law-abiding citizens and the seizure of any guns found.  The court order would also prevent the “flagged” person from purchasing a firearm.  Under LB 58, all of this could take place prior to the accused persons having the opportunity to defend themselves in court!  This is a clear violation of due process rights under the guise of public safety.  LB 58 would create a judicial weapon for anti-gun activists who wish to roll back the gun rights enshrined in both our federal and state constitutions.

 It is refreshing to hear a state governor carefully and consistently defend the right to keep and bear arms. 

©2021 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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