Attorney General Ford Issues Statement Following Background Check Hearing


February 12, 2019

Carson City, NV – Today, Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford issued the following statement after the Joint Meeting of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary and the Assembly Committee on the Judiciary. The hearing was convened this morning to consider the long-delayed expansion of Nevada’s gun background check law. AG Ford’s testimony addressed his desire to carry out the will of the people by implementing this critical public safety measure.

    “Today, I was proud to lend my voice to the many Nevadans who have lost a loved one to gun violence. Background checks save lives, and they give an additional tool for law enforcement to protect public safety. In 2016, Nevadans voted to expand background checks and prevent firearms from falling into the hands of criminals. It is my hope that lawmakers pass this bill to uphold the will of the people, protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners, and prevent gun violence.”

      In Nevada, background checks are currently conducted through Nevada’s background check system on all firearm purchases involving licensed dealers. Between 2012 and 2014, background checks from licensed gun dealers prevented over 5,000 gun sales in Nevada to prohibited people, including fugitives, felons and domestic abusers. S.B. 143 would expand background checks to include private party sales.

        Today’s hearing began at 8:00 in room 1214 of the State Legislative Building. To view video of the hearing, click here.

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