'I think we just recognized gay marriage,' lawmaker says after amendment to gun permit bill

[Omaha Steve]

Source: OMAHA WORLD HERALD

By Joe Duggan

LINCOLN — Granting military spouses the right to carry concealed handguns in Nebraska triggered a debate over gay marriage Tuesday in the Nebraska Legislature.

Current law allows nonresident military members to apply for concealed gun permits without having to first live in Nebraska for 180 days to establish residency. A bill advanced from the first round of debate on a 37-4 vote would waive the residency period for military spouses who want to apply for gun permits.

Sen. Paul Schumacher of Columbus, however, questioned whether the bill would allow same-sex spouses to obtain gun permits given Nebraska’s Constitutional ban on gay marriage. He proposed an amendment so the gun privilege would apply to anyone receiving the federal benefits of a military spouse.

The Department of Defense extended benefits to same-sex spouses in 2013 following a U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

FULL story at link.



Read more: http://www.omaha.com/news/legislature/i-think-we-just-recognized-gay-marriage-lawmaker-says-after/article_ec438da2-9d0f-54ff-a8cc-9491e4564730.html

[RKP5637]

1. Hope so, "I think we just recognized gay marriage." n/t

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

2. Another excellent illustration why the SC must make same sex marriage legal across the land

Allowing individual states to decide who receives rights and who doesnt will lead to all kinds of ills, including issues like this.

The whole gun issue is sad, of course.

Another bunch of idiots wanting more guns on the street, not less.

Common sense is so hard to come by lately.

[NYC Liberal]

6. This is exactly why they will.

Today's SCOTUS may be fucked on a lot of issues, but this is one where there are just too many precedents in too many courts now. And there are way too many inconsistences that can and will arise as a result. This one, just one case in point.

The rulin will be in favor of marriage equality for practical purposes more than anything else.

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

7. Hope so, I am FAR less certain about ACA...I fear that Roberts may want to change

his stripes on that one.

It would be such a nightmare if he does

[Daemonaquila]

3. OMG, laughing so hard I can't breathe.

I wish I'd seen his face.

[libdem4life]

4. Oops. After giving my birthplace as Omaha, NE for a few decades, this brings a smile to

my Liberal Face. Deal with it, Cornhuskers. And thanks for the article, Omaha Steve.

[msanthrope]

5. There should be a license to legislate. nt

[davidpdx]

8. It's amazing what they can trip over when discussing gun rights

[NCLefty]

9. NRA *has* to be for that, eh?

"same-sex spouses to obtain gun permits"