Senate Bill 28, introduced by state Senator Stan Bingham (R-33), has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary II Committee and could be voted on in the near future. This legislation would make information on Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) holders accessible only to law enforcement, and provide critical privacy protection for law-abiding gun owners.
Just last year, WRAL.com, the online media outlet for the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Triangle’s WRAL television station, made available a searchable database of CHP holders. While some of the information on permit holders was limited, the NRA was made aware of reports that the database “accidentally” allowed some permit holders’ addresses to appear. There is no accountability for similar “mistakes” made by media outlets as long as this information remains publicly accessible. In fact, there is nothing to prevent another media outlet -- or any other entity for that matter -- from requesting information on CHP holders and creating another online database that would include all permit holders’ names and addresses.
Passage of SB 28 is critical and North Carolina needs to join the list of 31 states that have already enacted protections for gun owners by classifying personal permit information contained in firearm permits as confidential. Public release of any personal information regarding CHP holders serves no public interest and only exposes law-abiding citizens to potential criminal acts.
Please contact members of the Senate Judiciary II Committee and urge them to support SB 28 when it is brought up for consideration.
