Some concerned Nebraskans argue a bill passing through the legislature will make it harder to keep communities safe.

While others say it's an important bill that helps protect gun rights in Nebraska.

LB68 passed first round approval this week. It would overturn local gun restrictions in Omaha and Lincoln that are stricter than state law.

According to the intent of the bill, local ordinances have created a patchwork of firearm laws throughout the state.

LB68 amends existing law to give the Nebraska Legislature the exclusive authority to regulate the ownership, possession, transportation, carrying, registration, transfer, and storage of firearms, ammunition, and firearms accessories.

"I'm in support of the concept," Craig Schnieder, President of BCA Tactical said.

"For instance with Nebraska law, many people can have concealed carry permit. They can have permit to purchase, but by certain city ordinances if they live in Waverly, Firth or Davey they can have a gun there. But when they come in Lincoln they are prohibited because of a minor conviction," Schnieder said.

However, Schnieder argues the language of the bill needs to be cleaned up. He points out issues with a person with an open carry permit being able to bring a gun into the Hall of Justice, the State Capitol building or Pinnacle Bank Arena.

"A concealed carry holder cannot carry concealed weapon with permit into those venues," Schnieder said. "I think the solution is to try to work on that language. So it's a state law not the local ordinance prohibiting people."

Those who are against the bill say smaller cities like Fairbury shouldn't have the same gun laws as places like Lincoln or Grand Island.

"What the bill will do is take away the ability for local cities, towns and villages to decide for themselves if they need safer gun laws," Jan Hobbs with Nebraska Moms Demand Action said.

Hobbs said by taking away the control from local leaders it puts Nebraskans at a point where the people who are "in the know" don't make the decisions.

"To me, that's problematic. I want my police chief, my mayor to be able to say, yes we need to have a law that protects against open carry. It's important that local cities make these decisions for themselves," Hobbs said.

Lincoln's Police Chief said if the bill passes, a primary portion would erase the ability to adapt to the needs of the community.

"This is a bill that if it becomes law, it will affect the enforcement and the ability to respond to different types of firearm calls for service by our officers," Bliemeister said.

He worries that if people are allowed to bring guns in buildings like the Pinnacle Bank Arena it will increase the potential for violence. "In venues with a large number of people, in close proximity and interjecting alcohol in some events, it increases the propensity for violence," Bliemeister said.

Lobbyist for Nebraska Firearms Association, Dick Clark supports the bill. He argues that there have been instances where local restrictions have gone further than they should.

"It kept some people who ought to legally own a firearm from having that protection for their family and their household," Clark said.

Nebraska would not be breaking new ground with the law, according to Clark.

"Forty-four states have state pre-emption of local firearm regulations. This is the way that almost every other state does it. They say that the state level is the right level to set firearms policy," Clark said.

The bill still needs two more votes before making its way to the Governor's desk.