Big Changes at the Top
Remember when we talked about Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager stepping down?
Well, now his partner in pushing gun control laws is heading for the exit too. Sandra Jauregui, the Democrat who’s been leading the charge for more gun restrictions in Nevada, just announced she won’t run for re-election. This means both of the top Democrats in the Nevada Assembly are calling it quits.
Here’s what makes this interesting for conservatives. These two have been the main force behind every gun control bill that Governor Joe Lombardo has had to veto over the past two years. And boy, has he been busy with that veto pen.
The Gun Control Push That Failed
Sandra Jauregui wasn’t just any legislator when it came to gun laws. She survived the October 1, 2017 Las Vegas shooting and made gun control her signature issue. Every session, she’d introduce bills to restrict gun rights. And every time, Governor Lombardo would veto them.
Jauregui said she is “proud of their work in the Assembly” and “touted gun control reforms that she spearheaded” after announcing her departure. But here’s the thing. Most of those reforms never became law because Lombardo kept blocking them.
Just look at what happened in 2023. Lombardo said “I will not support legislation that infringes on the constitutional rights of Nevadans” when he vetoed three gun control bills that Jauregui pushed through the legislature.
She wanted to ban guns at polling places. She wanted to raise the age to buy certain rifles from 18 to 21. She wanted to stop people convicted of so-called hate crimes from owning guns.
Lombardo vetoed them all.
The 2025 Session Was More of the Same
This year, Jauregui came back with more gun control bills. And guess what? Lombardo vetoed them again.
Lombardo vetoed AB 105, which would have prohibited guns at and around polling places, despite going on the record and saying in 2023 that he would sign the legislation if it didn’t include any provisions on ghost guns. Even when she tried to meet him halfway, he still said no.
AB245 would have banned Nevadans younger than 21 years old from possessing semiautomatic rifles or shotguns, with exceptions for veterans or for hunting. Another veto.
AB105 would have prohibited use of a firearm within 100 feet of an election site. Vetoed again.
By June, Lombardo had once again broken the Nevada record for most vetoes in a single legislative session, rejecting 76 measures passed in 2025. Many of those were gun control bills that Jauregui sponsored.
Why This Matters to Conservatives
This is about more than just two politicians leaving. Jauregui and Yeager represented the strongest push for gun control Nevada has seen in years. With them gone, the anti-gun movement in Carson City loses its biggest champions.
Governor Lombardo has shown he’ll stand up for the Second Amendment. He’s made it clear that law-abiding citizens have the right to defend themselves. Every veto sends that message loud and clear.
But the other side isn’t giving up. Jauregui said “I never want a Nevadan to experience the trauma that I and so many have endured” and vowed to keep working on gun violence prevention. Even though she’s leaving the legislature, you can bet someone else will pick up where she left off.
What Critics Are Saying
Gun control groups are furious. They call Lombardo’s vetoes “shameful” and say he’s putting politics over safety. The Nevada chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action condemned Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo for vetoing AB 105, his third gun safety veto this session.
They point to polls saying most Nevadans support these measures. They talk about mass shootings. They say we need to “do something.”
But here’s what they don’t mention. Lombardo leaned heavily on the potential for two of the measures to falter under relatively new Supreme Court precedent established within the last two years. The Supreme Court has been clear. States can’t just ignore the Second Amendment because they want to.
Looking Ahead
With Jauregui and Yeager gone, there’s an opportunity here. The Nevada Assembly will have new leadership. Maybe they’ll focus on real solutions instead of just trying to take guns away from good people.
Governor Lombardo has shown he’ll protect our rights. But we can’t get comfortable. The anti-gun crowd will regroup. They’ll find new leaders. They’ll be back with more bills trying to chip away at the Second Amendment.
What can conservatives do? First, thank Governor Lombardo for standing strong. Let him know you appreciate his vetoes. Second, pay attention to who replaces Jauregui and Yeager. These seats matter. Third, stay involved. When gun control bills come up, speak out. Call your representatives. Show up at hearings.
The departure of these two gun control champions is good news for Second Amendment supporters. But the fight isn’t over. Not by a long shot. Stay vigilant, stay active, and keep supporting leaders who defend our constitutional rights.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
