By: Las Vegas Now Staff
Advocates on both sides of the gun control debate are fired up after a new report shows Nevada isn’t doing enough to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals.
The National Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence just released its annual scorecard. It ranks states by how effective their existing laws are in curbing gun violence and illegal gun trafficking.
“Gun control doesn’t control criminals. We need to control criminals,” said gun store owner Bob Irwin.
According to the latest scorecard by the National Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Nevada fails miserably when it comes to curbing illegal firearm trafficking, conducting background checks, promoting child safety, banning assault weapons, and keeping guns out of public places.
Nevada received only 11 points out of a possible 100.
Gun store owner Bob Irwin says the Brady scorecard misrepresents the facts, “Their argument is the state doesn’t require background checks but that’s only because the feds do.”
While there is no state law requiring a waiting period for first-time handgun buyers, Irwin says Clark County has a 3-day restriction.
Yet anyone can buy a handgun or assault weapon on the spot at a Nevada gun show — no questions asked.
“I can’t believe that’s allowed. It’s putting people at risk,” said Maria Outcalt with Domestic Violence Prevention.
It’s that easy access that has Outcalt convinced that stronger gun control laws would help curb violence.
While there is great debate over whether tougher gun laws are a good idea, advocates on both sides of this issue agree on some things.
They say tougher enforcement of the gun laws we already have on the books and more gun safety education would go a long way to combating crime and making us all safer.
Add your comments
The following sentence is not true, and I’m very suprised the author of the story allowed it to br printed.
“Yet anyone can buy a handgun or assault weapon on the spot at a Nevada gun show — no questions asked.”
This is false. Anyone buying a gun at a gun show must fill out the required paperwork and go through a background check just like they would at a gun store. There is no “gun show loophole.” It is funny how the Brady bunch twists the facts.
Comment by Scot Semmens — January 31, 2008 @ 6:27 pm
Nevada is irresponsible. It is not just the criminals doing the maiming and killing. It’s your average gun owner. The domestic shootings, anger and rage incidents, accidental shootings involving children getting hold of guns…
The least this state can do is control the sales at gun shows. It’s just a question of time till some guy finally not only buys one there, he’ll use it on a gun dealer. Then will you gun nuts wake up? It isn’t the criminals…it’s you guys that are endangering the rest of America with your paranoid vigilante save the day mentality. I can’t recall one newspaper article on how a gun owner saved anyone with his gun, but everyday there is a new horror story about pregnant women being shot by their boyfriend, a thirteen year old using dad’s gun on his friend, etc. Don’t you read the newspaper?
Gun owners save the money you spend on those bullets. You can better serve mankind just by finishing high school and cutting back on beer. Hello…
Comment by Derey — January 31, 2008 @ 6:29 pm
I am an NRA certified instructor, firearms owner and enthusiast. All my children shoot and my wife. Gun laws need to be enforced, criminals need to be put away. And yes the news unfortunately just talks about the bad things, firearms are used every day in this country, for justifiable self defense. But more than that, most firearms owners are active in their “sport” or hobby. I shot competively for many years and now I teach firearms safety. Not how to kill people. There is a 100 different ways to compete, and enjoy firearm ownership. My firearms have never hurt anyone, and my family, enjoy them as a family activity. There has always been a “air” of negativety surrounding guns. Yet no one ever reports on the sporting use of firearms. Benchrest, IDPA, IHMSA, IPSC, blackpowder, high power, small bore, air guns, the list goes on and on about safe legal honest American gunowners enjoying their hobby. Most of them dont purchase firearms “to hurt people”. My firearms have never hurt anyone, and there are millions of other firearms owners just like me. I would love to be interviewed and let the “other side of the story” come out. That report you posted tonight was completely biased. I have always watched channel 8 because of the excellect reporting, and people like George Knapp. But one sided stories like this drive me nuts.
Thank you
Tim Brown
Comment by Tim Brown — January 31, 2008 @ 7:01 pm
Derey,
Just last month a horrible massacre at a church in Colorado was prevented because a private citizen was carrying a legally owned handgun. She was able to shoot the suspect before he was able to kill anymore people - he had already killed several people at another church earlier in the day. I’m sure you saw the news reports of the shootings, they were all over CNN.
Comment by Scot Semmens — January 31, 2008 @ 7:30 pm
Derey, nice to see your anti-gun set-the-poor-criminal-free mentality helps to obscure the facts that are apparent to everyone else.
Here’s an entire website dedicated to media stories where law-abiding gun owners have defended themselves, with firearms, from those that would prey on them.
http://www.claytoncramer.com/gundefenseblog/blogger.html
Comment by J. Picard — January 31, 2008 @ 7:42 pm
Derey, Before you go off on something like this, first, get an education on the subject, then make your observation. You come off as just another smartassed teenager who’s sole goal in life is to grab attention.
Comment by Stanton — January 31, 2008 @ 8:10 pm
Yeah, firearms are a real problem in America. Or are they? Here are stats from the National Safety Council for 2004.
44,933- deaths in motor vehicles(remember that when you get in your car.)
18,807- deaths from falls(be carefull not to trip and fall going to the mailbox.)
649- deaths from accidental firearms discharge.(see below and ask yourself what’s more dangerous?)
774- deaths from falling from chairs, beds and other furnature.(Be carefull getting out of bed)
16,750- deaths from self-inflicted gunshots
11,624- deaths from assaults by firearm
235- death by event of undetermined intent using a firearm
311- deaths by legal intervention involving firearm
29,569 Total firearm deaths
44,933 Total vehicle “accident” deaths
Enjoy your drive to work tomorrow. I might just walk to work while legally carrying a pistol. It’s much safer.
Comment by Kelly — January 31, 2008 @ 9:51 pm
“Yet anyone can buy a handgun or assault weapon on the spot at a Nevada gun show — no questions asked.”
This is a lie.
Guns sold at gun shows are subject to exactly the same regulations as those sold anywhere else. Any weapon purchased from at federal firearms licensee (FFL) can only be made after filling out a from 4473 and submitting to a background check. Failure to do so is a federal felony. This applies regardless of where the gun is purchased, be it in a store or at a gun show.
Depending on state law, private sales from one citizen to another may or may not require a background check or paperwork. But the rules are the same whether the transaction takes place in a gun show, the parking lot outside the show, or in a home.
Please tell your reporters to stop taking dictation from anti-civil rights groups like the Brady Bunch.
Comment by CTD — February 1, 2008 @ 7:41 am
Thank you to the “Brady Bunch Gun Ban Group”. Gun owners now have a comprehensive list of problem states/areas that gun owners can ‘target’ to try to enhance their Second Amendment rights. It also provides a definitive look at their “truth be damned” disinformation techniques for use in debates and editorials.
Comment by DRH — February 1, 2008 @ 8:56 am
One sided stories like this drive me crazy! Channel 8 is better than this. Bob Irwin, by the way, is not the only expert on firearms in the Las Vegas valley. The Brady Bunch has only one agenda; the disarmament of America, unfortunately the bad guys don’t obey laws. The Brady Campaign is NOT a credible source for any information on firearms. Their agenda is suspect and their rhetoric is always false hysteria.
It’s time that the conversation be turned to how many are saved by firearms each year. In the news today, here in Las Vegas, an individual recovered a firearm from a home invader and shot him as the perp was attempting to rape a woman. Again, firearms save lives each and every day..right here..in Las Vegas!
Comment by Mike — February 1, 2008 @ 9:06 am
Remember, more people die from medical malpractice than from guns. Why don’t they outlaw doctors? — because they serve the ‘greater good’. More people are saved by them than die from them. The same is true for guns. That’s why guns are not (should not be) banned.
Comment by don — February 1, 2008 @ 11:59 am
Guns kill, they don’t save lives, who are we kidding here? In the US we have over thousands of deaths a year from gun shot injuries. The American Academy of Pediatrics campaigns for gun control laws, because of the multiple injuries every day to children who get their hands on guns. Gun owners are irresponsible to deny gun control is necessary, especially since it is their own guns that is causing the gun death numbers to rise in urban cities.
Talk car deaths? Look at getting a driver’s license, the testing, the insurance, and then look at what we require for a gun purchase. Nothing. Which is why there is so much concern for legislation now. You sure don’t see Nissan padding the campaign pockets of candidates to dictate traffic laws…so why does the NRA do it? Total conflict of interest.
Saving lives? Let’s talk domestic homicides which are growing daily…
Gun control will save us from you guys, and that’s what needs to be done.
Comment by peter schwartz — February 1, 2008 @ 1:19 pm
Derey,
The reason you do not see guns saving lives in the media is because they brush it under the rug. The majority of media is liberal and their goal is to erase the second amendment and as much of the constitution as needed for them to take control of us. The rest just know violent crimes sell. Ignoring cases of self defense is a marketing decision.
Studies have shown that citizens use firearms to prevent crime 764K to 2.5M times a year depending on which study you choose to believe. Guns are used in the process of a violent crime 691K times a year, which is less than 10% of violent crimes. So even if you go with the lowest figure for defensive uses firearms are still used more for defense than for violent crime.
History shows that when you lessen gun control crime either stays the same or it drops in the United States. More guns in the hands of citizens does not increase crime.
Your decree that it isn’t the criminals that are responsible for crime is just ridiculous.
Read up.
http://gunfacts.info/
Comment by Andrew — February 1, 2008 @ 3:51 pm
Peter,
“…and then look at what we require for a gun purchase. Nothing.” You have obviously NEVER bought
a handgun in your life. A “questionaire” and a back-
ground check ARE required, as well as a multiple
choice test. You insult the inteligence of honest, law
abiding Americans. I belong to a WAS (Western Action
Shooting) Club. I shoot steel targets, NOT people as
you suggest. Murders are almost a daily occurence here
in my city of nearly 1/2 million people. And contrary
to your misinterpretation, the NRA actively promotes
GUN SAFETY, and HUNTER SAFETY. The NRA IS the largest
promoter of SHOOTING SAFETY in the USA. A legal gun
owner here recently came under attack here, in his own home, and saved his own life by being armed. Self protection is a right, in most states. Committing MURDER is NOT a right…try telling that to the BRADY BUNCH!!
Comment by Charlie Guenther — February 2, 2008 @ 2:19 pm
Shame on Nevada. I am sick until death of this travesty.
The idea that the people of Nevada allowed the Brady Center to spot them 11 points towards a gun free Utopia makes me cringe.
Comment by Baird Tarr — February 4, 2008 @ 12:55 pm
To all you anti gun nuts, having a concealed and exposed firearm has saved my life and my family’s life. In the Army deployed overseas of course it saved my life, and being back home working crazy hours at night, it was always good to play safe and it has benefited myself as well as responsible gun owners who use it for protection, and no I don’t have a Rambo mentality. If you don’t like Nevada gun laws move somewhere else.
Comment by sid — February 18, 2008 @ 1:11 pm
All the gun laws are in place in Nevada. They just need to be enforced. Also parents need to be held accountable when their firearms “come up missing”.
Comment by csretrac — March 12, 2008 @ 5:02 am
Per Sid:
“If you don’t like Nevada gun laws move somewhere else.”
Well said Sid. Maybe they should move to Washington DC or New York where gun control has worked so well in the past.
Regarding your lack of Rambo mentality, most anti-gun nuts think ALL current and former military MUST have a Rambo like mentality. Thank you for setting that record straight as my husband is retired military and he has NEVER had a Rambo like mentality! I would like to point out to Derey that I DID finish high school and I even finished college. I DO NOT drink beer AT ALL! I not only read the newspaper daily but, I read three different newspapers. I am very familiar with the lack of “Feel Good, Human Interests” stories as the media usually capitalizes on the negative aspect - It is, after all, what sells their papers.
To Mr. Peter Schwartz, the NRA sponsors MANY educational classes regarding the responsible manner in which to purchase, own, handle, store, and utilize a firearm. I suggest you to go educate yourself with an NRA sponsored class. Yes, you are required to take a test to receive a driver’s license but, taking and passing a required test does NOT make you a good nor safe driver! Before I had my first child, I sought and attended EVERY parenting class my community offered in addition to the MANY books/articles and various publications I read - it was NOT required but, I wanted to be a good Mother so, I took measures to guide me in that direction. None of my actions guaranteed I would be a good Mother but, I became more educated on the subject. Mr. Schwartz, you obviously fear anything unknown to you so, I would like to invite you and Derey to put down your newspapers and go educate yourselves on safety techniques involving firearms. I can SAFELY say to you “BEEN THERE, DONE THAT” with your closed mind mentality as I was VERY ANTI GUN until I was 18 years old. Up until my boyfriend (now my husband) put a single action 22 bolt rifle in my hand and instructed me on how to (safely) shoot down field, I was very naive and ANTI GUN! Up until he actually placed that firearm in my hands WHICH I DID NOT WANT HIM TO DO but, I did NOT protest, I WAS VERY ANTI GUN. Up until that day when I was 18 years old, I had ALWAYS (for 12 years) BLAMED the GUN used to shoot my Father in his right temple, thus resulting in his death, for his demise. I have since learned, through education and opening my eyes (along with my closed mind) that the gun was not responsible for my Father’s death. ONLY the person holding the gun, pointing it into my Fathers temple and pulling the trigger was responsible for his death. My husband and I have different opinions WHICH we are entitled to believe, after we BOTH researched the situation. I believe that person WAS my Father. My husband believes my Father was murdered. Both of us agree that the firearm bears NO responsibility in this situation. Join me, educate yourself and open your minds. I am NOT suggesting you change your opinion as I did many years ago. You are entitled to your opinion. I believe people need to research all areas before taking such a strong stance on any subject because, just like your opinion, you have the right to vote, bear children, and do anything else in this country that does NOT require you to take a class nor research the subject matter. THAT is what frightens me the most! You may write: “Gun control will save us from you guys, and that’s what needs to be done” but, who will save ALL of us from you when you cast a ballot for a candidate based on what you’ve read in the newspaper without researching that candidates past actions and their voting record. Or, even worse, who will save ALL of us from you when you PROCREATE and guide your offspring on the basics of keeping a closed mind, forming an opinion based on fiction, and repeating the same errors in judgment. None of the latter requires a license or insurance, unfortunately!
Respectfully I remain,
A Retired Navy Gunners Wife
Comment by Nancy — April 9, 2008 @ 12:09 pm
As many great officers of the law have said, a peaceful society is an armed society.
When you Prohibit firearms in any way, you increase the chance of the criminal having the upper hand.
You liberals should just move elsewhere if you don’t like law abiding citizens carrying weapons to protect your sorry azz.
Comment by Greg — May 8, 2008 @ 11:42 pm
The following sentence is not true, and I’m very suprised the author of the story allowed it to br printed.
“Yet anyone can buy a handgun or assault weapon on the spot at a Nevada gun show — no questions asked.”
This is false. Anyone buying a gun at a gun show must fill out the required paperwork and go through a background check just like they would at a gun store. There is no “gun show loophole.” It is funny how the Brady bunch twists the facts.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Yes, you MUST RETRACT that statement! Why are you spreading lies?
If there is a debate, why would you try to dilute that debate with non factual statements ?!?!?!?
RETRACT!
Comment by Greg — May 8, 2008 @ 11:48 pm
These stories are always misleading. We have a high per-capita death rate because at any time, there are 3 million people here that do not live here.
If you take tourists into account, we are probably one of the lowest.
Comment by Dan — July 7, 2008 @ 5:13 pm
I am from the UK and visit Nevada between 3 and 5 times per year. Am i allowed to purchase a firearm (not handgun) as a so called foreigner ?
Comment by Mark — July 8, 2008 @ 9:06 pm
To Mark from UK.
Sorry sir. You cannot purchase a firearm here to take back to the UK. You need to get your fellow citizens together overthere and change your firearms laws to allow you to purchase what firearmyou are seeking.
Dan
Las Vegas, Nevada
Comment by Dan — July 25, 2008 @ 11:06 am
I hate idiots who make reports uninformed and with no idea of what they are talking about. i have owned my own firearms ever since the government would allow me to. but being responsible i researched every gun law of my state before doing so. maybe before writing something this stupid you should do some research? its my belief that if you take the guns away from everyday citizens that we would be rather defenseless because criminals are criminals and if they want a gun legal or illegal they will get it and have no problem using it. also guns or no guns there will be criminals violence and murder its been around far longer than firearms. taking them away wont make much difference.
Comment by Thomas — July 30, 2008 @ 11:22 am