2010 North Carolina “Short” Session Underway!

The North Carolina General Assembly is in full swing for its "short" session, and there are a number of bills of interest to NRA.  Legislative rules dictate that only certain types of legislation may be considered--primarily those relating to appropriations, finance, pensions and retirement, and localities; certain legislation from the 2009 Regular Session; and legislation proposed by study commissions. The following bills are currently up for consideration.

Senate Bill 928, would codify the Castle Doctrine in the home, and establish civil immunity for those who use lethal force to defend themselves or their loved ones while in their homes.  In other words, if a law-abiding citizen uses a firearm against a violent criminal attacker who has illegally entered the citizen’s home, the citizen could not be charged with a criminal offense, and could not face any civil suit. 

Unfortunately, after this bill passed the Senate, it was assigned to the House Judiciary I Committee, chaired by anti-gun State Representative Deborah Ross (D-38).  State Representative Ross has refused to allow this bill to be heard, showing her utter contempt for law-abiding gun owners who might be forced to use a firearm to defend themselves or their loved ones from violent criminals.  Because State Representative Ross has refused to hear the bill, we encourage you to contact key members of the Democrat House Leadership team who are sympathetic to our gun rights, and urge them to SUPPORT and have State Representative Ross hear SB 928.  Please contact Speaker Pro Tempore William Wainwright (D-12), Majority Leader Hugh Holliman (D-81), and Majority Whip Bruce Goforth (D-115).

Senate Bill 460, is the anti-dog breeder, anti-hunting bill promoted by the radical Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).  HSUS will use this bill, should it pass, as a template for future legislative efforts in order to achieve its true goal—eliminating ALL commercial dog breeders.  HSUS as much as admits this is its goal.  The group has publicly stated, “There’s no reason for anyone to patronize a pet store or a breeder.”  Clearly, if there is “no reason for anyone to patronize…a breeder,” there must be no reason for there to be ANY breeders, in the world HSUS would like to see.  That would be disastrous for people who use dogs while hunting.  This bill has a large number of groups opposing it, including the North Carolina Livestock Industry, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association, the North Carolina Federation of Dog Clubs, the North Carolina Sporting Dog Association, and numerous other state and local organizations.  The prestigious American Kennel Club (AKC), a group synonymous with representing the interests of dogs, dog owners, and dog breeders for 125 years, also opposes the legislation, along with the National Animal Interest Alliance, a national group that promotes animal welfare (not "animal rights") WITHOUT promoting an anti-hunting agenda.  SB 460 is currently in the House Finance Committee, and could be heard at any time.  Please contact members of the House Finance Committee and urge them to OPPOSE SB 460.  If you intend to send legislators e-mail, please be sure to use "Oppose SB 460" as your subject line.

In addition, HSUS has apparently planned for a Legislative Day next week, on Wednesday, June 2.  The North Carolina Sporting Dog Association, a group with which NRA has been working closely to defeat SB 460, is encouraging those who wish to oppose the efforts of HSUS to meet at the General Assembly in Raleigh at 8:00 AM on June 2 to show their commitment.  If you are interested in attending, please call (252) 671-1559.

Senate Bill 1173/House Bill 1857, would reject the Wildlife Resources Commission’s decision to allow crossbows to be used during the state’s archery-only deer season.  Opposition to the Commission’s decision to enhance hunter opportunity is being led by some vertical bow hunters who selfishly want the woods to themselves at a time when hunter recruitment and retention is already dangerously low.  The Commission’s regulation is one significant step forward in the effort to reverse this decline.  Fifteen states, including all of North Carolina's neighbors, allow crossbows during the archery-only season, and biologists have determined that there has not been a detrimental biological effect.  Please contact your State Senator and Representative and urge them to support the future of hunting, the Wildlife Resources Commission, and NRA by OPPOSING SB 1173 and HB 1857, respectively.