Criminal Justice (Firearms)

LB 1088 (Nebraska, 2026) requires individuals convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence crimes or subject to domestic abuse protection orders to surrender all firearms and ammunition within 48 hours. This applies to people ordered to comply by a court during sentencing for domestic violence, when issuing a protection order, or for violating such orders. The law mandates surrender to a law enforcement officer or designated person, with firearms stored securely and returned after the order period (up to 7 years for convictions). Violating this requirement is a Class I misdemeanor, and courts must notify individuals of their obligations and federal firearm restrictions.

Nebraska's LB 395 would have changed rules for juveniles (under age 25) previously found guilty of certain felonies or domestic violence misdemeanors, who are currently banned from possessing firearms. It created a process allowing these individuals to petition a court for exemption from the firearm ban once they turn 19 (to juvenile court) or 25 (to district court), considering their behavior and future crime risk. The bill also clarified that sealing a juvenile's criminal record (through court order) does not remove the firearm ban, and the sealed record would still indicate the underlying offense. However, the bill was amended into another measure (LB530) on June 6, 2025, and did not become law.