Ricketts Supports Open Carry of Guns in Nebraska Capitol

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts said Friday he supports people’s rights to carry guns openly in the state Capitol.

The issue of guns in the Capitol has been in the news recently, ever since a legislative hearing a week ago on gun control proposals. That hearing brought out hundreds of gun rights supporters to oppose the bills; among them, a small number – perhaps two or three – were openly carrying weapons – some in the hallways, and at least one in the hearing room. State law prohibits concealed carry in the Capitol, but not open carry.

Asked Friday his view on open carry in the Capitol, Ricketts said he supports it.

“I support our Second Amendment rights. This is the people's house, and people have the right to open carry in the state, so I support it and would be very hesitant about any further restrictions on it,” Ricketts said.

Some state senators favor more restrictions, saying they felt intimidated by people carrying guns, and they don’t want others who work in or visit the Capitol to feel threatened.

“If the Legislature wants to do things with regard to their hearings, that’s their business. But with regard to the Capitol, I’m not going to be interested in making any changes to the rules that we’ve got,” Ricketts said.

Ricketts said he feels secure in the Capitol governor’s office. There’s a State Patrol presence there, as well as in the main legislative chamber, but not always in the rooms where public hearings are held.

The governor said something else may affect attitudes, as well.

“I think also it gets back to, I’m comfortable around guns. I own guns. If somebody’s uncomfortable around guns, it may be in part because… they haven’t used them, they haven’t been trained around ‘em. It’s just like anything else – if you have a familiarity with it, you’re more comfortable,” he said.

Legislators are expected to consider possible changes to the open carry policy in the Capitol building in the coming weeks.