The state's new concealed carry law, which finds it even easier to hide a handgun, finds itself in a legal fight and is now in the hands of a Douglas County judge. 

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I'm Joe Jordan in Omaha, where following last year's new law the mayors of Omaha and Lincoln insist that so-called “Constitutional Carry” makes their citizens less safe.

It’s a debate that’s been going on for months.

February 2023

State Sen. Tom Brewer, Gordon (R): “Missouri has big cities so why our police would be unable to do the same quality work in the same conditions Constitutional Carry like other states and other cities I do not know.”

Police Chief Todd Schmaderer, Omaha: “Look we're not looking to replicate Kansas City and Saint Louis, You can look at their statistics for crime compare them to Omaha and there is no comparison.”

Fall 2023

City Council President Pete Festersen: “We have the Omaha celebrates 4th of July event every year at Memorial Park, sometimes 40 or 50 and 60,000 people all on the same spot. And absent that Executive Order there could be people walking around with open-carry and firearms in that crowd, which I think would create a huge distress amongst residents.”

After the legislature passed the less restrictive gun law last year Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert signed an Executive Order arguing, in effect, that a loophole in the law allowed Omaha to keep concealed weapons out of city parks. Of course, the pro-gun people object and sued the city.

Now before the judge can rule on the law itself, she's being asked to issue a temporary injunction against the city that would allow those now-prohibited handguns back into the parks.

It’s not clear when the judge will rule.