Nebraska state senators on Tuesday passed an amendment that would recognize military members’ same-sex spouses applying for gun permits in the state despite the state’s ban on gay marriage, according to the Omaha World-Herald.
During debate on a bill that would make it easier for out-of-state military spouses to get a Nebraska conceal carry permit, state Sen. Paul Schumacher (R) asked whether the bill would apply to same-sex partners.
“Is not the Second Amendment sex blind? Color blind?” Schumacher asked, according to the World-Herald. “What great evil would come from saying a partner of somebody in the military … is entitled to exercise their Second Amendment rights to carry a concealed weapon in this state?”
Schumacher proposed an amendment that would allow any military spouse recognized by the federal government, which recognizes same-sex spouses, to apply for a permit before establishing residency.
The senators passed the amendment 38-0, according to the World-Herald. The bill then advanced from the first round of debate in a 37-4 vote.
Sen. John Murante (R) abstained from voting on the amendment, but seemed wary of recognizing same-sex partners.
“I think we just recognized gay marriage,” he said on Tuesday, according to the World-Herald. “We are now using the federal government’s standard for who receives marriage benefits.”
However, Sen. Dave Bloomfield (R), one of the bill’s sponsors, said he didn’t think the amendment would hurt the state’s ban on gay marriage.
