According to Grass Roots North Carolina, Rep. Jonathan Jordan (R-Ashe & Watauga) will be introducing this week the Handgun Permit Modernization Act. This bill if enacted would do three things: remove redundant mental health checks, stipulate that no additional fees or information could be required over what the state mandates, and reduce processing time from 90 days to 45 days.
In my home county it took me 85 days to obtain my NC Concealed Handgun Permit. This was in 2009 when sheriffs’ offices were swamped with applications. By contrast, the Complementary Spouse applied for her permit in Buncombe County. In addition to fingerprints, training, background check, and the fee, Sheriff Van Duncan (D-Buncombe) required applicants to mail a mental health records release to Mission Hospital and to another mental health agency. While the Complementary Spouse did receive her CHP sooner than I did, it came with extra fees. This bill would change that.
GRNC is asking people to do two things: contact the General Assembly leadership and to contact their own legislator to push this bill. Their alert with more info is below.
Remove Obstructions To Concealed Handgun Permits
Over the past two years, many of you have told GRNC that some sheriffs are obstructing concealed handgun permits by either delaying issuance or asking for intrusive personal medical information. Others are imposing extra requirements such as photos, character affidavits and fees for redundant criminal background checks.
1. GRNC has listened. Thanks to Representative Jonathan Jordan (R-Ashe, Watauga, GRNC ****), this week will see introduction of the “Handgun Permit Modernization Act,” which will:
Remove redundant mental health checks: Our CHP law predates the computerized National Instant Background Check System, which for several years has included mental health data. Yet NC CHPs continue to be delayed as sheriffs send forms to local mental health facilities. Worse, some sheriffs have begun requiring physicians to “certify” the mental health of applicants.
Stipulate that no additional information or fees may be required: Among the abuses we have seen, sheriffs have had applicants line up with sex offenders for mug shots, while others have required additional background checks (and fees), notarized character affidavits, and even contact information for employers.
Limit permit application processing to 45 days: At present, sheriffs are delaying permits for several weeks due to mental health check delays from local facilities.
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!
Help Rep. Jordan move this bill, which will be filed on Monday:
CONTACT INFO
Speaker Thom Tillis: Thom.Tillis@ncleg.net
Rules Chair Rep. Tim Moore: Tim.Moore@ncleg.net
To find your House rep, go to: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/representation/WhoRepresentsMe.aspx
DELIVER THIS MESSAGE
Suggested Subject: “Remove Obstructions To Concealed Handgun Permits”
To Speaker Tillis and Rep. Moore:
Dear ______________:
Please support Representative Jonathan Jordan’s “Handgun Permit Modernization Act” by giving it a favorable committee assignment. Too many obstructions prevent lawful North Carolinians from obtaining concealed handgun permits essential to protecting themselves and their families. Our law was drafted long before creation of the computerized National Instant Background Check System, and long before North Carolina began reporting mental health data to that system. Yet permits are being delayed as sheriffs make archaic, haphazard and redundant inquiries to local mental health clinics.
Some sheriffs are subjecting permit applicants to arbitrary requirements beyond those stipulated by the General Assembly despite the fact that our concealed handgun permit application system was intended to be a uniform statewide process. These extra requirements include “mug shots,” extra fees and even phone calls to employers.
Since inception of the law in 1995, concealed handgun permit-holders have spent eighteen years proving themselves sane, sober and law-abiding, with a rate of permit revocation of less than three tenths of a single percent. By reducing delays in permit issuance, this non-controversial bill may well save lives.
Respectfully,
To your House rep:
Dear _______________:
Please co-sponsor Representative Jonathan Jordan’s “Handgun Permit Modernization Act.” Too many obstructions prevent lawful North Carolinians from obtaining concealed handgun permits essential to protecting themselves and their families. Our law was drafted long before creation of the computerized National Instant Background Check System, and long before North Carolina began reporting mental health data to that system. Yet permits are being delayed as sheriffs make archaic, haphazard and redundant inquiries to local mental health clinics.
Some sheriffs are subjecting permit applicants to arbitrary requirements beyond those stipulated by the General Assembly despite the fact that our concealed handgun permit system was intended to be a uniform statewide process. These extra requirements include “mug shots,” extra fees and even phone calls to employers.
Since inception of the law in 1995, concealed handgun permit-holders have spent eighteen years proving themselves sane, sober and law-abiding, with a rate of permit revocation of less than three tenths of a single percent. By reducing delays in permit issuance, this non-controversial bill may well save lives.
Respectfully,
by