Is it legal in Nevada to bring a weapon or gun to a protest?
SPARKS, Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) — The answer is yes.
A Sparks librarian is disappointed with how Sparks Police officers responded to a protest Sunday afternoon.
A group of men set up a demonstration during the annual Drag Queen Story Time event at Sparks Library.
The group is believed to be affiliated with far-right group The Proud Boys.
"Shame on you for bringing your children to this," yelled one protestor.
Another one shouted, "you are sick," at one of the parents bringing their kids to the event.
This is the third year Washoe County libraries has hosted the storytelling experience. In 2019, over 800 families attended. This year, about 60 families attended.
According to one employee at Sparks Library, this isn't the first time the event has been protested in the community.
"In 2019, we had a lone protester and possibly 50 to 60 counter-protesters in support of the event," said the employee.
The librarian agreed to speak with News4 anonymously. She is fearful of retaliation from the Proud Boys.
"It was a fearful moment," she said.
During the event, she said she called Sparks Police Department at least 4 times requesting help. According to a statement from Sparks PD, officers responded twice.
Around 11:30 am, officers were called in for a possible assault/battery but the victim, who the librarian identified as Washoe County Libraries Director, Jeff Scott, declined to press charges.
Almost two hours later, officers returned to the library after a man was seen carrying a rifle outside the library.
"We had some people who were visibly shaken and sobbing," said the librarian. "We brought everybody in the building and got them out of vision out of sight."
Sparks PD says the man with the rifle left the scene before officers arrived and because Nevada is an open carry state, no action was taken.
The Sparks librarian says she wishes officers would've done more to make families feel safe coming in and out of the event.
"When you have a situation where its potentially volatile and weapon appears -- simply a presence, indicating that there are police nearby, would have been reassuring to the families."
Sparks PD confirmed to News4 that officers did not engage with the crowd at any point of the demonstration.
WHAT DOES NV LAW SAY ABOUT WEAPONS AT PROTESTS?
NRS202.3673 authorizes gun owners to carry firearms on public property, including libraries.
The only exceptions include:
- the airport;
- a public school;
- or a public child care center.
