A new billed filed in North Carolina would give citizens with the proper permit the right to carry a concealed weapon anywhere that police officers do.
Known as the Homeland Security Patriot Act, Senate bill 708 states that “a person who is issued a permit pursuant to this Article may carry a concealed handgun anywhere in the State, including property on which a notice is posted prohibiting the carrying of a concealed handgun, and has the same exemption from all State prohibitions and restrictions regarding the carrying of a concealed handgun that State and local law enforcement officers have when acting in the discharge of their official duties.”
If passed by the state legislature, North Carolina gun permit holders could bring their guns anywhere they want in the state except in a courtroom.
State Sen. Jeff Tarte introduced the bill.
“Theoretically, you’d be able to carry in a facility that has ‘no guns allowed’ signs,” Tarte said to the Citizen-Times. “We have to clarify (the bill) on individual property owner rights — if someone wanted to preclude you from carrying a gun on their private property.”
The bill, as it stands now, states that “it is unlawful for a person, with or without a permit, to carry a concealed handgun while consuming alcohol or at any time.”
There is also the additional provision that training, as well as an exhaustive mental health exam and a background check will be required before such a permit is given. If a permit holder wants to apply for the permit, they must bear the costs of those precautionary measures.
North Carolina state Rep. John Ager, told the Citizen-Times that “if the training that is required is as extensive as it sounds, it could actually be a good thing, and I might be willing to support it.”