Concealed Weapons in Omaha

I haven't previously commented on the big debate here in Omaha about the recent passage of a "Concealed Carry" law in the state. Of course, not just anyone can get a permit -- you have to undergo a class and a background check, etc. Omaha and Lincoln, and possibly other cities, have laws on the books against concealed weapons and the new state law lets cities decide whether or not to opt in to the state law or restrict as previously inside their limits, while still allowing the practice state-wide. Of course, previously, Nebraska was a state where you could carry "open" anywhere in the state outside city limits with weapons restrictions.

So you could have the scenario where you can carry concealed up until the city limits, where then you have to either show your weapon or somehow "put it away". I'm a little torn about this and wish the Unicameral would have just gone one way ot the other and not passed the buck and let the smaller (and likely easier to influence one way or the other) jurisdictions to decide.

Naturally, the anti-gun lobby is painting the picture of a dramatic increase in gun deaths and violence, but don't throw any facts and figures at you, just scary rhetoric. I've seen some figures that purport to show crime going down with concealed carry laws going into effect, but crime's been going down anyway so I don't see a causality link in general. On the flip side, I've read MANY accounts of potential victims dissuading attackers with a weapon, so having a weapon can make a significant difference at the correct time and place.