SCOTUS: Bold Moves on Gun Control

Hang on to your seat's folks, the Supreme Court of the United States made some major moves these past few weeks that has the news media humming and a large portion of the population hopping mad. Now, I will never take a political stance in my blogs, that is not my role. My job is to share information and insights that help you formulate decisions that impact your safety. But if Roe vs Wade wasn’t big enough, the highest court in the land struck down the restrictive gun control law in New York that will certainly have a domino effect with the rest of the country.    

In a time where many are hurting and reeling from multiple mass shooting events across the country, and before the U.S. Senate is about to pass a historic, bipartisan gun safety legislation, the Supreme Court took a turn on gun control. In a 6-3 vote, Justice Clarence Thomas, the court’s longest-serving justice and perhaps its most outspoken Second Amendment advocate in the court, wrote a 66-page opinion that will ultimately loosen the grip on gun control for the masses of law-abiding citizens. Make no mistake, this contest is not over, and it will send rippling effects across this nation and the gun control landscape.  

What we need to understand as law abiding citizens is that the second amendment rights guaranteed by the United States constitution are just that, a right. While many parts of the US are much more restrictive, Nevada is certainly more open to self-protection than New York, which was the epicenter of this decision. New York has held for over one hundred years a law that prohibits concealed carry unless the applicant can show a “special need” to do so. New York reportedly approved such requests 65% of the time between 2018 and 2019. I wonder if that would hold true in 2022 given the shift caused by the increase in mass shootings.   

Here in Nevada that is not the case. To carry a concealed weapon in the State of Nevada one must comply with certain guidelines and must not be a prohibited possessor under Nevada law (see the following link to LVMPD’s website for a complete list of requirements and restrictions; RecordsFingerprintBureau/Pages/ConcealedFirearms). If you don’t want to mess with the requirements for a concealed permit, Nevada recognizes the right to open carry. Under this framing, the weapon must be completely visible. Open carry is generally defined as wearing a handgun unconcealed by any clothing and holstered, on the hip or leg, unless carrying a rifle or shot gun which is slung across the shoulder.   

While open carry and concealed carry are both legal options, there are still restrictions as to where a firearm can be carried or possessed legally. Here are just a few of the locations where firearms are restricted:  

·       Childcare facilities and property.  

·       State schools — including both public and private K-12, colleges and universities.  

·       Airports.  

·       Prisons, jails and juvenile detention centers.  

·       Police and sheriff’s stations.  

·       Government buildings.  

·       County and city parks (if prohibited).  

·       Buildings with metal detectors or signs prohibiting firearms at each public entrance, or  

·       Any other place where carrying a firearm is prohibited by federal or state law.  

·       Any private property owner can also post a restriction.  

This is not an all-inclusive listing, so be sure to verify restrictions before you decide to carry a weapon, concealed or open carry.  

In recent weeks, we have posted blogs on gun ownership with everything discussed focusing on responsible gun ownership. To be responsible accounts for being legally qualified to own a weapon, that you follow the rules around ownership and permitted carry, and that you are fully capable to properly handle or use a firearm for the intended purpose, i.e., target practice, hunting, or self-defense.   

In the aftermath of this decision, we will see a number of new challenges to legislation across the country. This may not impact the laws in your jurisdiction immediately, but you will want to stay up on new developments and potential changes in guns laws so that you remain compliant in your jurisdiction and others if you travel with your weapons.   

Boss Security Screens will always be your partner for seeking the truth in self-protection and personal security. While there are many ways to achieve that secure feeling, the easiest path is to wrap your home in the beauty and comfort of our protective screens. With our no-break in guarantee, you can relax and release those fears that someone may enter your home. For those who are on the fence about gun ownership or may not feel comfortable having a gun in the home, Boss Security Screens can take that decision off the table. Alarms will notify, cameras will record, and locks will slow intruders for a moment, but our best-in-class security screens stop bad guys! Even if you prefer to own a weapon, they are a last resort. So why not put protections in place that work so you can avoid having to make that decision of taking another person’s life. Give us a call, we can help. 

Until next week, stay safe and be vigilant.    

Written by,   

Michael Johnston   

Chief Security Advisor at Boss Security Screens   

*The author is a paid consultant and product representative for Boss Security Screens. The information provided in this blog does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials are the author's opinion and for general informational purposes only. It is recommended that you consult an attorney, certified trainers, or licensed providers before acting on any information provided. This website may link to other third-party websites. Such links are for the convenience of the reader and are not endorsed by the author.