NC bill ending concealed-carry gun permits passes in House, moves to Senate

Gun bill ‘ludicrous’

Regarding “Bill would end requirement for concealed-carry permits” (June 1): As a concealed-carry handgun permit-holder, I was appalled at the bill to end the requirements for this permit. Currently, an extensive background check is required and classroom training covers what can and cannot be done with a handgun according to N.C. law.

It also required me to prove I could hit a target about the size of paper dinner plate at three different distances. I was surprised at the number of people who could not hit the target at the minimum distance. I qualified, but there was a large number who couldn’t.

Now, the esteemed legislature wants to drop this requirement. They want to allow people to carry handguns with no understanding of the law, with no test to make sure they can handle a gun and hit a target. It’s easy enough for young people to get an illegal handgun. Now they want to lower the legal age to 18 without training in its proper use. This is ludicrous. The policy in the current legislature seems to be: “If it ain’t broke, we’re going to break it.”

Safety staked on gun bill

Regarding “Bill would end requirement for concealed-carry permits” (June 1): North Carolinians are running out of time to stop the permitless concealed-carry of handguns in North Carolina. Unless they can stop it, North Carolina would be facing a future where it would be easier for people with criminal or violent histories to carry a loaded, hidden handgun in public.

Make no mistake, the gun lobby is hard at work to make sure that happens. With the vote scheduled soon , the fight must be taken back to the legislators’ home districts. Now North Carolina lawmakers are poised to pass this legislation. In place of a permit, this bill would create an honor system for carrying a concealed handgun in public in North Carolina – making it nearly impossible for law enforcement to verify whether a person carrying a handgun in public has a criminal record or a violent history.

North Carolinians can’t afford to let North Carolina lawmakers make their state a laughingstock again – especially with families’ safety at stake.

Stop concealed-carry bill

Regarding “Bill would end requirement for concealed-carry permits” (June 1): It is beyond my ability to imagine that the members of the N.C. legislature cannot see the danger in changing gun laws to allow permitless concealed-carry of handguns.

To add insult to injury, the proposed legislation additionally lowers the age for all of this to 18 years. I urge all North Carolinians concerned about this proposed legislation to contact their elected officials. It is time to remind legislators that they represent us. Together, North Carolinians can make a difference.

Concealed-carry bill ‘illogical’

Regarding “Bill would end requirement for concealed-carry permits” (June 1): In regards to HB 746, an effort to make permitless concealed-carry legal, Rep. Larry Pittman said, “If someone can legally carry openly there’s no legal reason for that person not to be able to carry concealed.”

I will translate this to what I hear: “I do not have the right to know who around me has a permitless deadly weapon that could instantly take out my entire family.” This bill and the legislature are certainly not looking out for me and my rights.

Gun bill allows ‘self-defense’

The June 5 Under the Dome article “Groups move against gun bill” about legislation (House Bill 746) aimed at making it easier for law-abiding citizens to defend themselves, relied almost exclusively on anti-gun “facts” supplied by gun control activists.

Law-abiding gun owners in North Carolina can already openly carry a firearm without any permit. HB 746 simply recognizes that carriers may want to throw on a jacket or place their firearm in a purse. Those everyday acts should not be criminalized. Twelve states have already passed similar legislation without any gloom and doom scenarios playing out.

More Americans than ever are carrying firearms for self-defense, because they recognize that law enforcement cannot always be there to protect them. HB 746 gives law-abiding North Carolinians greater options for self-defense. Those individuals who wish to get a state concealed handgun permit that allows them to travel outside of the state with their firearm can still do so. The permitting scheme would remain intact under HB 746. HB 746 simply recognizes that it’s often more convenient and socially acceptable to carry discreetly in today’s society.

Train concealed-carriers

Regarding “Bill would end requirement for concealed-carry permits” (June 1): I am writing to voice my opposition to HB 746. I was never a gun advocate. However, due to the climate in today’s society, I felt it necessary to be able to defend my wife and myself from physical harm if necessary. I registered for a concealed-carry class and received my permit. The class taught me the rules for concealed-carry, including when and where I can carry and when I can and cannot shoot. I also was taught how to use a firearm safely.

To put a firearm in the hands of an 18-year-old without any training will certainly lead to a disaster. I have no problem with an 18-year-old carrying, as I was in the military at 18 and believe that one must be trained on the how-tos and safety of a firearm. If this bill passes, North Carolina could have untrained hotheaded individuals running around with pistols in their pockets. Please use common sense and vote against this bill.

This story was originally published June 10, 2017 at 6:00 PM with the headline "NC bill ending concealed-carry gun permits passes in House, moves to Senate."