The North Carolina General Assembly has several firearm and hunting-related bills that have been introduced. 

One of the key proposals is an amendment to the State Constitution of North Carolina that would recognize the right to hunt, fish, and harvest game.  Senate Bill 329, introduced by pro-gun State Senator David Hoyle (D-43), would establish that citizens of North Carolina have a recognized right to hunt, fish, and harvest game, using traditional means and methods.  The language contained in S 329 is the culmination of several years of work to craft language that will protect hunting for future generations.  We are grateful Senator Hoyle, a past recipient of the NRA defender of Freedom Award, worked closely with NRA to come up with strong language that will ensure the long tradition of hunting in North Carolina will continue for the foreseeable future.  If passed, S 329 would allow the voters of North Carolina to approve this amendment during the general election of November 3, 2010.

S 329 was introduced this week with strong bipartisan support, with 25 Senators signing on representing districts across the state.  Please take a moment to thank those Senators who signed this critical legislation.  You can find a list of those who signed this bill by clicking here.  S 329 has been referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee. 

Please contact members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee and urge them to pass S 329.  You can find information on Committee members by clicking here.

State Senator Charlie S. Dannelly (D-38) Chairman
Phone: (919) 733-5955
Email: Charlie.Dannelly@ncleg.net

State Senator Charles W. Albertson (D-10)
Phone: (919) 733-5705
Email: Charlie.Albertson@ncleg.net

State Senator Stan Bingham (R-33)
Phone: (919) 733-5665
Email: Stan.Bingham@ncleg.net

State Senator Bob Atwater (D-18)
Phone: (919) 715-3036
Email: Bob.Atwater@ncleg.net

State Senator James Forrester (R-41)
Phone: (919) 715-3050
Email: James.Forrester@ncleg.net

State Senator Steve Goss (D-45)
Phone: (919) 733-5742
Email: Steve.Goss@ncleg.net

State Senator Fletcher L. Hartsell, Jr. (R-36)
Phone: (919) 733-7223
Email: Fletcher.Hartsell@ncleg.net

State Senator David W. Hoyle (D-43)
Phone: (919) 733-5734
Email: David.Hoyle@ncleg.net

State Senator Ed Jones (D-4)
Phone: (919) 715-3032
Email: Edward.Jones@ncleg.net

State Senator Vernon Malone (D-14)
Phone: (919) 733-5880
Email: Vernon.Malone@ncleg.net

State Senator A. B. Swindell (D-11)
Phone: (919) 715-3030
Email: AB.Swindell@ncleg.net

In addition to S 329, there are several pro-gun bills that have been introduced.  Senate Bill 235, introduced by pro-gun State Senator Andrew Brock (R-34) and House Bill 270, introduced by pro-gun State Representatives Mark Hilton (R-96), Fred Steen (R-76), Justin Burr (R-67), and George Cleveland (R-14), would eliminate the prohibition on Right-to-Carry permit holders carrying their lawfully concealed firearms into a restaurant that serves alcohol. 

House Bill 257, introduced by pro-gun State Representatives George Cleveland, Mark Hilton, Tim Moore (R-111), and Laura Wiley (R-61), would prohibit any government entity from seizing lawfully possessed firearms, ammunition, or ammunition components during a declared state of emergency such as occurred following Hurricane Katrina. 

Senate Bill 11, introduced by pro-gun State Senator Julia Boseman (D-9), would expand the list of individuals with a Right-to-Carry permit who may lawfully carry a concealed firearm into a courthouse (when there as part of their official duties) to include district attorneys and assistant district attorneys.  And House Bill 247, introduced by pro-gun State Representative Pryor Gibson (D-69), would allow the same exceptions as in S 11, but would apply to district attorneys, assistant district attorneys, and clerks of the court.  H 247 would only apply to Anson and Union Counties, however.

There will likely be many other pro-gun bills introduced, as well as anti-gun bills, and we will be sure to keep you apprised of any efforts to expand, or diminish, our Right to Keep and Bear Arms in North Carolina.  A recent News & Observer article reported that the Durham City Council has requested the North Carolina General Assembly impose new restrictions on ammunition.  This request was inspired by the efforts of Reverend Melvin Whitley, which we reported on in January.  While nobody has introduced this anti-gun proposal, we will watch very carefully, and report if this issue is ever brought up for consideration.