LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Las Vegas City Council members will consider a bill that would allow people accused of domestic violence to keep their firearms at Wednesday's full council meeting.
The bill, Bill No. 2019-35, would criminalize domestic violence in Las Vegas City limits making it a misdemeanor charge.
Domestic violence is already illegal under Nevada state law, but this would allow local prosecutors to pursue charges under the city law instead.
The main difference between the two laws is the state law mandates gun owners turn over their firearms if convicted of domestic violence, and the city's law doesn't contain that penalty.
According to the Associated Press, the bill comes in response to a unanimous Nevada Supreme Court ruling that called loss of gun ownership, a constitutional right, a "serious" penalty requiring a jury trial, and local officials feared that would put excess strain on court systems in Southern Nevada.
The AP said officials in Henderson and North Las Vegas are considering similar bills.
