North Carolina: Critical Right-to-Carry Reform Bill Advances to House Floor

Contact your state Representative in support of House Bill 937

Today, the House Judiciary Subcommittee A passed House Bill 937 on a voice vote, after first making a number of improvements that made this pro-gun bill even stronger.  This legislation seeks to make a number of important pro-gun reforms including, but not limited to:

• Allowing Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) holders to lawfully carry their personal protection firearm into a restaurant that serves alcohol.
• Removing the prohibition on CHP holders from carrying into a place where tickets are sold for admission and would fix the problem of anti-gun localities overstepping their authority regarding restricting CHP holders from carrying firearms into locally controlled parks.
• Addressing some issues regarding firearms in a vehicle, as well as certain firearm issues on campus grounds.

In addition, this subcommittee added language that would bring North Carolina in compliance with the requirements set forth in the federal NICS Improvement Amendments Act (NIAA) of 2007.  This legislation does not expand or create new categories of prohibited persons.

In accordance with federal law, individuals who have been placed under certain types of mental health-related orders – by a court – are prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms.  The NIAA established clear standards for states to use in crafting laws to give persons subject to these prohibitions a means of relief.  H 937, under the guidelines established by the NIAA, would allow a court to grant relief from the federal prohibition upon a finding that the petitioner will not be likely to act in a manner dangerous to public safety, and that the granting of the relief would not be contrary to the public interest.  Please click here for an NIAA fact sheet.

North Carolina gun owners owe a deep sense of gratitude to state Representatives Jacqueline Schaffer (R-105) and Justin Burr (R-67), who worked closely with the NRA throughout the drafting and amending process for H 937.  Special thanks also to their fellow Primary Sponsors, state Representatives George Cleveland (R-14) and John Faircloth (R-61).  These state Representatives represented the bill and responsible gun owners exceptionally well during today’s subcommittee hearing.

This legislation now goes to the House floor where it could be taken up any day.  We anticipate that anti-gun legislators will do everything they can to defeat H 937, as well as attempt to amend it in a negative fashion.  Please contact your state Representative and urge her or him to support H 937 and to oppose any amendments that may weaken the bill or delay its passage.