North Carolina: Right to Hunt and Fish Amendment Stalls as Legislature Adjourns Sine Die

The North Carolina legislature adjourned sine die late Friday evening, July 1, which ended the “short” session for 2016.  Although no anti-gun measures were given any serious consideration, an opportunity to advance protections for our hunting heritage was squandered when the House failed to act on House Bill 3, the Omnibus Constitutional Amendments bill. 

Part of this legislative package included NRA-supported language that sought to allow North Carolinians to vote on whether they wanted to amend the North Carolina Constitution to affirm that it is a right of the public to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife.  This language passed the Senate on June 28, and while there appeared to be no opposition to the Right to Hunt & Fish language, the House never took up H3. 

While disappointing, NRA has already begun working with pro-hunting legislators to ensure that solid language that would affirm the Right to Hunt & Fish will be considered next year.  Our thanks go out to all NRA members, as well as others who support our hunting heritage, who took the time to communicate with their legislators in support of this important reform.  Please take the time to contact your state Representative and let them know that you are disappointed they did not take up the Right to Hunt & Fish provisions in H3, but that you hope he or she will work with NRA to pass this amendment to the North Carolina Constitution next year.