Background Check Initiative

The Background Check Initiative is a common-sense proposal that will close loopholes in Nevada law that make it all too easy for felons, domestic abusers, and the dangerously mentally ill to buy guns. We have the right to bear arms, but with rights come responsibilities. The Background Check Initiative will improve public safety in Nevada by requiring background checks for all gun sales, with reasonable exceptions for family, hunting, and self-defense.

VoteYes

This November, Nevadans will vote on Question 1, the Background Check Initiative
Current federal law requires criminal background checks on gun sales at licensed dealers.
However, no background check is required in the unlicensed sales conducted online, at gun
shows, or even between strangers in parking lots. These sales typically occur with no
background check, no questions asked – and thus, make it far too easy for criminals to get
guns.

Background Checks Save Lives
91 Americans lose their lives every day to gun violence. There is no single solution to the
gun violence crisis facing our country, but we should do everything we can and the fact is,
background checks help save lives.

In the 18 states that have enacted comprehensive background checks:

  • 46 percent fewer women are shot and killed by intimate partners
  • 48 percent fewer law enforcement officers are killed with handguns
  • 48 percent fewer people commit suicide with guns

About the Campaign
Since 2014 supporters and volunteers have been preparing for the Background Check
Initiative to ensure a victory. In order to qualify for the ballot, over 250,000 Nevadans
signed their names, breaking records in Nevada for most signatures gathered.

Today the campaign has thousands of volunteers and donors from across the state, and an
advisory board of over 50 Nevadans including faith leaders, business owners, veterans and
law enforcement officers.

  • Nevadans for Background Checks Endorsements
  • Nevada Association of Public Safety Officers
  • Service Employees International Union of Nevada (SEIU)
  • Nevada State Education Association (NSEA)
  • Nevada State Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
  • The Council for a Better Nevada
  • The Fraternal Order of Police

We count among our proud and active supporters moms, veterans, doctors, survivors of
gun violence, gun owners and NRA members, and Nevadans from all walks of life who are
committed to creating safer communities and helping to save lives. Please learn more and
join us at www.SafeNevada.org.