SB 143 - Background Check Bill Advances Out of Committee

As reported by Don Dike-Anukam —  A Joint meeting of the Senate and Assembly Judiciary Committees was held this morning to consider Senate Bill 143, which would repeal, and revise certain provisions relating to background checks for sales or transfers of firearms. After several hours of testimony delivered to the joint committee live from Carson City and by teleconference from Las Vegas, legislators passed the measure out of committee on a 5 - 3 vote. Sponsored by Senator Kelvin Atkinson (D-4), the measure would make the Central Repository for Nevada Records of Criminal History responsible for running background checks on firearms sales or transfers rather than the FBI.  The law would expand the existing requirement that licensed gun dealers run a background check on firearms purchases to require a background checks be completed on private sales and transfers.  Private parties would be required to have a licensed gun dealer run the background check on their transactions. It is anticipated that the bill will go before the Assembly session tomorrow morning, moving to the Senate later in the afternoon, and then on to the desk of Governor Sisolak Thursday where it will be signed into law.