Governor’s office swamped with calls over gun background checks

CARSON CITY — Gov. Brian Sandoval’s office has been flooded with telephone calls for and against a bill expanding gun background checks, but the governor is standing firm on his promise to veto the legislation.

On Monday alone, there were 44,000 calls — 33,000 of them against the bill that would require background checks for sales or transfers of guns between private parties.

In all, there have been more than 100,000 calls to the governor’s office on the issue.

The bill would require those obtaining guns in a private transaction to go to a licensed gun dealer for a federal background check. Private sellers who fail to ensure a background check is completed could be charged with a gross misdemeanor and barred from having a gun for two years.

The bill was approved by the state Senate on an 11-10 vote and by the Assembly 23-18 on the final day of the Legislature.

Sen. Justin Jones, who pushed the legislation, said he wasn’t surprised by the governor’s stance but added, “He has not made it official yet.”

Jones, D-Las Vegas, said that if no federal legislation is enacted and Sandoval vetoes the state bill, “I’m sure I will return” in 2015 and push the legislation again.