LINCOLN, Neb. (KMTV) — Last week, President Joe Biden introduced several measures his administration is working on to curb gun violence in the United States. On Wednesday, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts signed a largely symbolic proclamation in response, designating the state a “Second Amendment Sanctuary State.”
Several Nebraska counties have passed resolutions declaring themselves Second Amendment sanctuaries, meaning that they will decline to enforce federal firearms laws that local officials deem too restrictive.
RELATED: Growing number of cities, counties declaring themselves 'Second Amendment Sanctuaries'
Biden's measures include:
- Orders the Justice Department, within 30 days, to issue a proposed rule to help stop the proliferation of “ghost guns."
- Orders the Justice Department, within 60 days, to issue a proposed rule to make clear when a device marketed as a stabilizing brace effectively turns a pistol into a short-barreled rifle subject to the requirements of the National Firearms Act.
- Orders Justice Department, within 60 days, to publish model “red flag” legislation for states.
- Orders his administration to invest in evidence-based community violence interventions.
- Orders the Justice Department to issue an annual report on firearms trafficking.
Read more: Biden targets 'ghost guns' with executive actions to combat gun violence
“The White House and U.S. Congress have announced their intention to pursue measures that would infringe on the right to keep and bear arms,” said Governor Ricketts’ proclamation. “Nebraska will stand up against federal overreach and attempts to regulate gun ownership and use in the Good Life.”
More than 50 counties in the state have passed pro-Second Amendment resolutions following Biden’s announcement.
Advocacy group, Nebraskans Against Gun Violence responded with a statement on Facebook.
"Today Governor Ricketts made a proclamation that Nebraska is a sanctuary state for guns. This comes one day after refusing sanctuary for children fleeing violence in their home countries and communities that are often ravaged by gun violence themselves. This decree is meant to placate those that are avid gun rights activists while shunning children that are seeking refuge from the very thing the governor is providing sanctuary for," the organization said.
Nebraskans Against Gun Violence added that "Gun Violence is a public health crisis and we support serious funding of research, proven community programming, and using a combination of education, policy, and accountability to reduce gun violence across the United States, including Nebraska."
Here’s the full proclamation from the governor's desk:
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