NC:Senate gives tentative nod to gun rights expansion

wral.com ^ | 12 June, 2013 | Mark Binker

[marktwain]

Raleigh, N.C. — North Carolinians with concealed handgun permits would be able to carry firearms in more places – including businesses that serve alcohol, funeral processions and playgrounds – under a bill that the Senate gave tentative approval to Wednesday. 

The legislation is a broad measure that backers say will broaden the application of Second Amendment rights and increase penalties for certain gun crimes. 

"We should not fear the armed citizens protecting themselves, protecting their families ... they don't commit crimes," said Sen. Thom Goolsby, R-New Hanover.

The most striking provision in the bill does away with pistol purchase permits currently required to buy a handgun in this state. Under the proposal heard Wednesday, residents would still have to undergo a background check to buy from a federally licensed firearms dealer. However, private sales of handguns would no longer require a permit and would not be subject to any kind of background check. Those are the same rules that currently apply to private sales of long guns like rifles and shotguns.

[marktwain]

It seems that the majority favor this bill by a wide margin, but it is running into opposition from the University Police Chiefs, and even the Sheriffs Association, now.

[GenXteacher]

The Sheriff’s office is the conduit for the current permitting scheme- and there is substantial revenue involved.

[westcoastwillieg]

A small step