North Carolina Legislature Overrides Governor’s Veto and Eliminates Draconian Pistol Requirement
Jose Nino
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Towards the end of March, the North Carolina legislature voted to override North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of a Republican-led initiative to scrap the state’s pistol permit law. Cooper is a Democrat and the only statewide official In the Senate, the veto override motion went through by a 30-19 vote. In the House, the veto override was passed by a 71-46 vote. Had all 120 members of the House been present to vote, a successful veto override would have needed 72 votes. In other words, one Democrat would have had to cross the aisle and vote in favor of the veto.
As outlined in North Carolina’s constitution, a ⅗ vote is needed to override the governor’s veto. In effect, all 71 Republicans voted to override Cooper’s veto.
North Carolina’s requirement to obtain a permit to purchase or transfer a pistol was first passed in 1919. The bill in question, Senate Bill 41, scrapped this requirement for a sheriff to issue a permit to individuals wanting to buy a pistol. On top of that, SB 41 repealed the prohibition on carrying a concealed handgun in places of worship. It also establishes a statewide safe firearms storage educational program.
In effect, SB 41 standardizes state law on handguns with the current law on long-guns, rifles, and shotguns. Dean Weingarten of AmmoLand noted that buying a rifle or shotgun from a private party in North Carolina does not require an individual to have a special permit.
In North Carolina, an individual buying a long gun from a federal dealer is subject to the same background check progress
These reforms in North Carolina were long overdue. According to Guns & Ammo magazine best states for gun owners rankings, North Carolina is at a sub-par 28th place ranking. Its gun laws still need tweaking.
With Republican domination of the State House (72-48) and State Senate (30-20), North Carolina can still make progress on pro-gun reforms by passing legislation and overriding Cooper’s vetoes. When Republicans actually grow a pair, good things happen legislatively. Let’s hope North Carolina Republicans continue moving forward
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