Rep. Ray Rapp Archives -

HB 650 Passes Third Reading

HB 650 has passed the Third Reading and is being sent to the Senate. While I didn’t expect it to happen tonight, it did. The final vote was 77 Ayes to 39 Nays.(corrected)

A fourth weakening amendment to the bill was proposed by Rep. Ray Rapp (D-Madison) who just happens to be my state representative and one of the Minority Whips. His amendment would have deleted that part of Section 4 (see below) which would have allowed a concealed carry holder to have his firearm in a locked car or locked container while on educational property.

(f1) It shall not be a violation of either subsection (b) or (f) of this section for any person to possess or carry a firearm on educational property or to a curricular or extracurricular activity sponsored by a school if the person has a permit issued in accordance with Article 54B of this Chapter or that is valid under G.S. 14-415.24 and the firearm is in a closed compartment or container within the person’s locked vehicle or in a locked container securely affixed to the person’s vehicle. A person may unlock the vehicle to enter or exit the vehicle provided the firearm remains in the closed compartment at all times and the vehicle is locked immediately following the entrance or exit.

Rapp’s amendment failed 55 Ayes to 61 Nays.

Hopefully, the Clerk of the House will have the roll-call votes available tomorrow so we can see who are our friends, who are just kinda with us unless they can find an alterative, and those who are against gun rights in general.

Disturbing To Whom?

As noted here on Wednesday, HB 111 passed the North Carolina House. This bill would allow concealed carry in restaurants and eating establishments that serve alcohol as well in state and local parks (in most areas.)

Rep. Ray Rapp (D-Madison) represents the 118th District and is one of the five Minority Whips in the North Carolina House. I live in the 118th District. I had written to him last week in support of the bill and he didn’t commit to supporting the bill in his response to me.

Today, I received his weekly email newsletter, Ray’s Raleigh Report, discussing legislation, visitors to his office, etc. Here is what he had to say about HB 111.

Perhaps the most disturbing bill to be enacted this week was House Bill 111, “an act to allow persons with concealed handgun permits to protect themselves and their families in restaurants (and bars).” Thanks to Rep. David Guice of Brevard, the bill was amended to allow local authorities to enact ordinances to prohibit carrying concealed handguns at playgrounds, athletic fields, swimming pools and athletic facilities and I supported this amendment. I was one of 42 to vote against the bill which passed with 74 in favor on third reading. It now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Disturbing to whom? Criminals? The Brady Campaign? Lisa Price’s NCGV? Some Democrats?

The bill extends where a concealed carry holder may carry legally in North Carolina. In my opinion, this is a good thing. It allows people to protect themselves when they are out and about in the world. It does not allow one to drink and carry concealed. So what is the problem?