Sandoval, Arizona governor rebuke Brown’s gun law criticism

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey defended their states' gun laws after California Gov. Jerry Brown lambasted the two neighboring states' laws as "wide open"and "a gigantic back door through which any terrorist can walk."

Brown made his remarks Saturday to the Sacramento Bee, saying, "California has some of the toughest gun control laws of any state. And Nevada and Arizona are wide open so that's a gigantic back door through which any terrorist can walk."

His criticisms brought swift rebukes from the two governors' offices.

"Nevadans share California's grief during this time of tragedy following the horrific events in San Bernardino. However, Governor Brown's assertion that our state laws create an opening for terrorists is wrong and irresponsible," Mari St. Martin, Sandoval's communications director, said in a statement issued Sunday. "This type of political rhetoric is discouraging to hear at a time when all Americans are looking for thoughtful, honest leadership. Governor Sandoval's top priority has always been the safety and well-being of Nevadans and the millions of tourists who travel to our state annually."

The Arizona governor's response was even more pointed.

"All of Arizona mourns for the victims in California. To politicize a tragedy of this magnitude and use it was an opportunity to attack our state is out of bounds," Ducey said in a statement. "Not only will we be ignoring Gov. Brown's advice, but I call on him to retract his incredibly thoughtless and ill-advised comments."

Contact Marian Green at mgreen@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5245.