by I had a nice chat yesterday with John Commerford who is the Executive Director of NRA-ILA. I had sent him an email earlier to ask about the NRA’s position on S.50- Freedom to Carry NC. He expressed they had some reservations which you read in the release below. Those reservations center around the fact that the bill is a bit more restrictive on who can carry than the law is on who can purchase a firearm. His feeling was that some may presume they can carry just because they could purchase a handgun and would be caught unawares. These are valid points and things that may be fixed in the final bill.
I will note that Sarah Kettle, ILA’s state director for NC, did testify in favor of the bill at the Senate Rules Committee yesterday.
From ILA:
Yesterday, Senate Bill 50 (SB 50), a permitless carry bill sponsored by Senator Britt and Senator Settle, passed favorably out of the Senate Judiciary Committee with amendments. The bill is now headed to the Senate Rules and Operations Committee for further consideration.
SB 50 would recognize your right to carry a concealed firearm for self-defense without seeking government permission by eliminating the requirement that law-abiding gun owners obtain a permit to carry. The NRA strongly supports constitutional/permitless carry, however SB 50 still has some pitfalls that could entrap well intentioned gun owners. SB 50 as written creates scenarios in which a person could lawfully purchase and possess a firearm but would be prohibited from carrying that firearm for self-defense purposes. The NRA is committed to working with the sponsor and willing lawmakers to improve this legislation and help make North Carolina the 30th constitutional carry state!
