Bill amended to allow guns for private security at schools

Senators amended a firearms records bill April 12 to allow contracted school security officers to carry firearms.

LB512, introduced by Imperial Sen. Mark Christensen, would remove a maximum five-year retention requirement for mental health records at the state Department of Health and Human Services. Records would include whether a person is disqualified from purchasing or possessing a handgun and would be made available to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. The Nebraska State Patrol could access the system when determining a person’s eligibility to own a gun.

Additionally, the bill would enable a person who has been barred from buying or possessing a gun for mental health reasons to resubmit an application if he or she no longer suffers from the disqualifying condition.

Christensen introduced an amendment on select file containing provisions from LB618, a bill originally introduced by Omaha Sen. Burke Harr. The amendment would allow peace officers or other duly authorized law enforcement officers to possess firearms when contracted by a school to provide school security or school event control services.

The amendment would provide a great option for schools to allow private security on their property for school functions, Christensen said.

The amendment was adopted 29-0 and the bill was given second-round approval on a voice vote.