North Carolina May Abolish Requirements For Concealed Carry Permits

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Anders Hagstrom Justice Reporter
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Anti-gun groups railed Monday against a bill up for vote this week in the North Carolina House that would allow anyone over the age of 18 to carry a concealed handgun almost anywhere without a permit.

Two anti-gun lobbying groups, “Moms Demand Action” and “Everytown for Gun Safety” paid for polls from SurveyUSA that showed an overwhelming opposition to the legislation, which has already passed through two House committees. Under the law, residents over 18 can carry concealed weapons virtually anywhere in the state. North Carolina currently requires that concealed carry permits only be granted to residents over the age of 21, the Richmond Daily Journal reports.

Republican Rep. Chris Millis calls the bill a “common sense” provision, given that open carry is already legal in the state without a permit.

The SurveyUSA poll found that 89 percent of the state’s voters are against the legislation. Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, also used Monday’s Orlando office shooting to advocate national gun control on Twitter.

Anti-gun advocates in the House are unlikely to pass the legislation without a fight, as some see it as a reduction of already lax gun laws.

“Guns don’t kill people, but it is the person behind the gun,” Democratic Rep. Garland Pierce told the Daily Journal. “I do understand that, but I am very concerned. There is going to be a long debate on that bill, I can tell you that.”

The NRA has already issued a statement supporting the bill and urging constituents to contact their representatives to lobby for its passage in the vote later this week.

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