Following Advocacy from Moms Demand Action, Student Demand Action Volunteers, Nevada Senate Passes Bill Prohibiting those Convicted of Hate Crimes from Owning Firearms 

CARSON CITY, Nev. – Nevada Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, issued the following statement after the Senate voted to pass SB 171 the legislation, that now goes to the house, seeks to prohibit the purchase, possession or ownership of a firearm by a person who has been convicted of committing or attempting to commit a hate crime. This comes weeks after Nevada Moms Demand Action volunteers joined lawmakers and community partners in support of a gun safety package. 

“Those convicted of a hate crime shouldn’t have access to a firearm; it’s that simple,” said Jessica Diss, a volunteer with the Nevada chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Hate turns deadly when armed with a gun; ensuring those who have caused harm to our communities don’t have access to a firearm will make us safer. Every community deserves to be safe from gun violence, and we must do more to protect families and communities that are at higher risk. We look forward to working with community partners and lawmakers to turn this bill into law and engage with leaders at all levels to protect Nevada families.” 

There are more than 28 hate crimes involving a firearm each day in the United States. Under federal law, a violent hate crime misdemeanor does not prohibit a person from purchasing a firearm. This bill would make it illegal for them to own or possess a firearm. Hate crimes harm people in vulnerable communities – nearly half of race-based hate crimes target Black people, while most religiously motivated hate crimes target Jewish people. Guns and hate crimes are a fatal combination, as an estimated 75 percent of homicides of trans people are committed with a gun.

In an average year, 555 people die by guns in Nevada. With a rate of 17.5 deaths per 100,000 people, the state has the 16th-highest rate of gun deaths in the US. Each year, gun violence costs Nevada $6.7 billion, of which $104.3 million is paid by taxpayers. More information on gun violence in Nevada is available here. To speak to a local volunteer with Moms Demand Action, a volunteer with Students Demand Action, or a policy expert, please reach out to [email protected].