Law firm is appealing the dismissal of a complaint against the city of Lincoln’s gun regulations

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – A law firm representing a Nebraska firearms group has filed an appeal with the Nebraska Court of Appeals in hopes of overturning a lower court’s order that dismissed a case against the City of Lincoln and Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird over several restrictions on firearms.

The lawsuit, filed on December 18, 2023, by the Nebraska Firearms Owners Association, challenges the mayor’s gun policy and several local gun regulation codes. This followed an executive order issued by Mayor Gaylor Baird after the signing of LB 77.

The executive order prohibited placing weapons on city property under penalty of trespassing. The association decided to repeal this rule, as well as amend the Lincoln Municipal Code regarding guns in parks, reporting of gun sales and three other rules.

On June 4, Lancaster County District Court dismissed the case against the city for lack of standing.

Now the law firm Liberty Justice Center has announced that it has filed an appeal to the Nebraska Court of Appeals. In addition, they also filed a petition with the Nebraska Supreme Court, asking that the Court of Appeals be bypassed so that they could file a complaint immediately.

On appeal, the law firm is urging the court to reverse the dismissal of the Lincoln plaintiffs’ claims, arguing that they have standing because Lincoln’s restrictions forced them to change their course of action to avoid prosecution.

“The mayor’s order directly conflicts with state law that protects Nebraskans’ right to concealed carry throughout the state. Our clients have the right to defend themselves, including when they use city parks and trails,” said Jacob Huebert, president of the Liberty Justice Center. “We urge the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of Nebraska to reverse the trial court’s decision so that plaintiffs can again use city parks without waiving their right to self-defense.”

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