News Summary
In the wake of the tragic UNLV shooting on December 6, 2023, survivors are pushing for gun control bills as the legislative session nears its end. Students and community activists, including Imer Cespedes-Alvarado, are advocating for bills like Senate Bill 156, which aims to create an Office for the Prevention of Gun Violence. With strong support from progressive organizations, these proposed measures face potential opposition from state leadership, highlighting the urgent need for change in Nevada’s gun laws.
Las Vegas, Nevada — Survivors of the devastating December 6, 2023, shooting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) are urging state lawmakers to support gun control measures as the legislative session approaches its conclusion on June 2. The incident, which claimed the lives of three faculty members, has significantly impacted the university community, prompting calls for action to address gun violence in the state.
UNLV sophomore Imer Cespedes-Alvarado, who was hiding during the shooting, described the harrowing experience of fearing for his life and calling his parents to express his love, believing it could be his last message. In response to the tragedy, Cespedes-Alvarado has taken an active role in advocating for four important gun control bills currently under consideration in Nevada’s legislature.
Cespedes-Alvarado founded the liberal advocacy group Youth Voice of Nevada, which is working to promote Senate Bill 156. This proposed legislation aims to establish a state-funded Office for the Prevention of Gun Violence. Alongside fellow survivors, including Allister Dias, president of the Consolidated Students of UNLV, he presented the bill in Carson City.
The proposed gun control measures, supported by Nevada’s Democratic majority, may encounter opposition from Republican Governor Joe Lombardo, who previously vetoed similar initiatives in 2023. On average, Nevada experiences approximately 581 deaths from firearms annually, highlighting the urgent need for legislative action.
Among the proposed bills, Assembly Bill 245 seeks to prohibit individuals under 21 from owning semi-automatic shotguns and rifles; this bill successfully passed the lower chamber on April 22. Assembly Bill 105, which aims to ban firearms within 100 feet of election sites, is currently awaiting initial voting. Additionally, Senate Bill 89 seeks to restrict firearm ownership for individuals convicted of hate crimes within the last decade; however, this bill has not yet been voted on.
Supporting the proposed gun control initiatives are various progressive organizations, including Battle Born Progress, Campaign Legal Center, and Moms Demand Action. Conversely, opposition arises from the Clark County Republican Party and several residents advocating for Second Amendment rights.
Retired police lieutenant Diane Goldstein underscores the necessity of balancing Second Amendment rights with community safety through appropriate regulations. Goldstein suggests that the bill banning semi-automatic guns for those under 21 may face significant pushback, particularly given data indicating increased rates of gun violence among this age group.
Senator Julie Pazina, who introduced Senate Bill 89, emphasizes the rising number of hate crimes in Nevada and the need for stricter regulations for offenders to enhance public safety.
As lawmakers consider these measures, Nevada’s “red flag” law, which permits temporary firearm removal from individuals deemed a risk to themselves or others, has seen increasing application. As of January 2025, 61 orders had been filed compared to just five in 2021, indicating a growing awareness of the importance of such safety measures.
The pursuit of stronger gun laws is also evident at the federal level, where Representative Dina Titus and Senator Jacky Rosen are advocating for a nationwide ban on bump stocks in Congress.
As the deadline for legislative action approaches, Governor Joe Lombardo’s office has yet to comment concerning whether he would veto any of the four proposed bills if they reach his desk. The situation remains tense as survivors of the UNLV shooting and advocates call for meaningful change in response to the ongoing crisis of gun violence.
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Additional Resources
- My News 4: Democratic Lawmakers Introduce New Gun Control Bills in Nevada Legislature
- Wikipedia: Gun Violence in the United States
- The Nevada Independent: Gun Confiscation Under Nevada’s Red Flag Law Ticking Up After Slow Start
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Gun Control
- CNN: Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo’s Gun Control Veto
- Google News: Nevada Gun Control
