NORFOLK, Neb. -- A controversial right that has been around since 1791 in the United States, the right to bear arms has taken a large legal step in Nebraska. Although this law allows the freedom of concealing a firearm, purchasing one still requires legal documentation. 

Jeff Petersen is the owner of Midwest Loan and Retail Pawn Shop. There, he is able to legally trade, purchase and sell firearms. With the new law being passed, Petersen doesn't think a whole lot is going to change. 

“This hasn’t changed anything,” Petersen said. “If you don’t have a permit, you cannot come in and buy a handgun without a permit. What it changes is, if you are legal to own a firearm, you can carry one concealed on your body.”

If one is already in possession of a firearm, they are allowed to carry it legally wherever they go. Nebraska is now the 27th state in the country to allow this law. A lot of citizens are looking at this as a positive bill. 

“It’s a more positive thing; more freedom, more better,” Petersen said. “The people who were going to carry guns before and not commit crimes are going to carry guns now and not commit crimes. The people who are going to carry guns before and commit crimes are still going to do that. No law is going to change any of that.” 

Although there are more freedoms with concealing guns, Petersen reaffirmed that this does not change the process of actually being able to purchase a gun legally. 

“I’ll get a lot more curiosity and there will be some more misunderstanding where people think they can come in and buy it without a permit,” Petersen said. “That is a part of being in business. There are a lot of people who misunderstand buying a gun that come in everyday. One law is not going to change all of that.” 

From a legal perspective, the Norfolk Police Division weighed in on the new bill, giving their insights.

“We want people to make sure that they are using good judgment,” said Police Chief Don Miller. “Concealed carry, in my opinion, is more of a defensive mechanism not an offensive mechanism.” 

Miller also explained some ways that the public can remain safe. 

“It is a right to carry a gun but it is also a huge responsibility that people can’t take lightly,” Miller said. 

LB 77 officially went active on Sept. 2.