Senate panel OKs bill barring stalkers from possessing guns

CARSON CITY — People convicted of stalking or are under an extended protection order for domestic violence would be barred for owning or possessing firearms under a bill approved Tuesday by the Nevada Senate.

Senate Bill 124, sponsored by Democratic Sens. Pat Spearman of North Las Vegas, Julia Ratti of Sparks, and others, was approved on a 19-2 vote and now goes the Assembly.

Senate Minority Leader Michael Roberson, R-Henderson, noted the bill was amended from its original form.

“I support this bill. Stalkers are bad,” Roberson said on the floor.

The bill prohibits anyone convicted of domestic violence battery from owning or possessing a firearm and requires a judge to order them to surrender, sell or transfer any guns under their control.

A court may grant an exception for someone who has a firearm as part of their employment.

In stalking convictions, a judge must make a finding that the victim has a relationship with the defendant and an ongoing reasonable fear of physical harm.

Contact Sandra Chereb at schereb@reviewjournal.com or 775-461-3821. Follow @SandraChereb on Twitter.