by The hyperbole used by the anti-rights forces is always amusing even if it is downright disingenuous.
My case in point. I received a press release about an hour ago from an Olivia Eguia representing a trio of Bloomberg organizations. They included Everytown, the Demanding Moms, and the Demanding Students (or is it petulant Gen Z’ers).
Included in the press release is a quote from a Mary Lahr Cain who reportedly is a volunteer with the Demanding Moms. Ms. Cain, if her LinkedIn profile is to be believed, was the editor of a defunct weekly newspaper out of Fuquay-Varina called the Cleveland Post.
“After Governor Stein stood up for public safety and the will of North Carolinians, extremist Republican lawmakers are allegedly working behind closed doors to override his veto last week and make this dangerous bill law before their constituents even know what’s happening,” said Mary Lahr Cain, a volunteer with North Carolina Moms Demand Action. “I’m outraged that our legislators would do this in secret instead of listening to the people they were elected to represent. Our families deserve transparency and laws that keep us safe — not political games and backroom deals that put lives at risk.”
OMG! Those evil Republicans are working behind closed doors to carry out their constitutional duties under Section 22 of the North Carolina Constitution. I would go on to note that the committee hearings on SB 50 – Freedom to Carry NC – were open to the public in both houses of the General Assembly. Moreover, the votes on the bill were done in public and a roll call vote was held.
What the anti-rights forces are calling “the will of North Carolinians” is nothing more than a poll, which with the right wording, can be made to favor any position you want.
In his veto message, Gov. Josh Stein (D-NC) said, “authorizing teenagers to carry a concealed weapon with no training whatsoever is dangerous.” I am all for training regardless of whether a permit is required or not and for people of all ages However, teenagers age 18 and older can currently carry a weapon with no training whatsoever. They just are required to do it openly and that is their constitutional right per State v. Kerner (1921) Those with criminal intent already ignore the law and will carry in whatever manner they choose. Seriously, what is a misdemeanor penalty of 30 days for a first offender when compared to 17 years for armed robbery?
Lest anyone forget, a majority of the states in the US currently allow permitless concealed carry. The addition of North Carolina would bring the total number to 30 with five out of the 10 largest states allowing it.
Cherry-picking statistics to bolster your argument is not a convincing way to win. Looking at what has not happened in the states that have adopted permitless concealed carry is more instructive. That is, blood has not run in the streets.
To conclude, sure there are politics involved with any bill. It was political that the General Assembly passed SB 50, it was political that Gov. Josh Stein vetoed the bill to appease his constituency, and it will be political how and when the Republican leaders choose to hold an override vote.