GRNC Alert: Help Pass Constitutional Carry for NC

Important note: Recently, Fred Edgecomb, who has been affiliated with both the NRA and its state affiliate, the NC Rifle & Pistol Assoc., was heard claiming credit for passing Senate Bill 41 to repeal NC purchase permits and expand concealed carry into churches sponsoring schools. GRNC members should understand that neither NRA nor NCRPA had any apparent role in passing SB 41. NRA lobbyist DJ Spiker only showed up at the last minute, and we are unaware of any significant action by NCRPA. In truth, it was GRNC volunteers who sent alerts, packed committee meetings, walked legislative hallways, and deluged legislators with input.

With the General Assembly’s May 4 “crossover deadline” looming, we need a hearing for House Bill 189 (“NC Constitutional Carry Act”) ASAP. If the bill doesn’t clear at least the NC House, it will be dead for the two year session, effectively meaning it can’t be re-introduced until 2025. 

You helped us pass SB 41. Now help us pass constitutional carry, eliminating the need for a governmental “permission slip” to exercise your Second Amendment rights. With recent passage in Florida, NC is now among a minority of states which have failed to pass constitutional carry.

Important points on HB 189:

1.    Reciprocity/NICS bypass: HB 189 leaves intact NC’s concealed handgun permit system in order to bypass NICS for gun purchases and to  ensure reciprocity with other states;

2.   Training: Although even some gun rights advocates have objected to the lack of a training requirement inherent in constitutional carry laws, none of the other 26 states which have adopted some form of constitutional carry have experienced problems; and

3.  Who can carry: HB 189 will not enable criminals to carry firearms. In terms of     disqualifying offenses, only those who currently qualify for a concealed handgun      permit will be able to legally carry without a permit.