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North Carolina Underwent A Gun Law Change
It's a beautiful day for law-abiding citizens and supporters of the Second Amendment in North Carolina. On Wednesday, March 29, 2023, the Republican-controlled state legislature voted to override Gov. Roy Cooper's veto to pass Senate Bill 41. As a result, the law immediately repeals pistol purchase permits. Let's look at the before and after pictures regarding the NC Purchase Permit law to get a better perspective.
NC Purchase Permit Law: Before the Passing of Senate Bill 41 on March 29, 2023
The handgun background check law had been on the books in North Carolina since 1919. In short, North Carolina is an open-carry state. Anyone desiring to purchase a handgun from a licensed firearm dealer in North Carolina would need a valid NC state-issued form of identification and either a North Carolina Pistol Purchase Permit or a Concealed Carry Handgun permit.
How the old process used to work:
The law-abiding citizen decides they want to purchase a handgun. The law-abiding citizen visits the Sheriff's Office in their county, pays $5 per purchase permit, and waits up to 2 weeks for approval. The county sheriff's office will conduct a national background check (NICS) on the applicant. The NICS check would ultimately approve or deny the applicant, which directed the County Sheriff's Office to issue a purchase permit to the applicant on county letterhead if approved. The applicant picks up their purchase permit and then eventually visits a licensed firearm dealer to purchase the firearm.
NC Purchase Permit Law: After the passing of Senate Bill 41 on March 29, 2023
North Carolina is still an open-carry state. Those who purchase pistols from a gun store or a federally licensed dealer are still subject to a national background check, and concealed weapons permits are still required. The bill also allows people attending religious services at places that serve as schools to carry guns and launches a statewide firearm safe storage awareness initiative.
How the new process is working now:
The law-abiding citizen decides they want to purchase a handgun. The law-abiding citizen visits a licensed firearm dealer or gun store with a valid NC state-issued form of identification. The licensed firearm dealer takes a copy of the identification and records your phone number. The licensed firearm dealer conducts a NICS check which directs the licensed firearm dealer to approve, delay, or deny your ability to purchase in-store.
If you have a valid NC Concealed Carry Permit, you will not be subject to NICS check with a valid NC Concealed Carry Permit and a valid NC state-issued form of identification.
Here's what Senate Bill 41 changed:
To authorize concealed carry permit holders to carry firearms on certain school property at certain times and;
To authorize concealed carry for certain law enforcement facility employees;
To repeal pistol purchase permits and to launch a statewide firearm safe storage awareness initiative to educate the public about the importance of the safe storage of firearms and;
To facilitate the distribution of gun locks. SL 2023-8. Enacted March 29, 2023. Effective March 29, 2023, except as otherwise provided.
What Can We Conclude Regarding the Purchase Permit Gun Law Change?
In conclusion, you have a constitutional right to own firearms provided you haven't violated federal and state laws that would prohibit you.
On the one hand, gun safety advocates may feel that the passing of Senate Bill 41 is a mistake because they think 1) the safeguard that helped law enforcement keep guns out of the hands of people who shouldn't have them is gone 2) the new law may create a potentially dangerous loophole for private sales and 3) that every North Carolinian's safety is in greater peril.
On the other hand, 2nd amendment advocates feel that the passing of Senate Bill 41 is the solution to 1) repeal NC's onerous gun laws, 2) exercise your Second Amendment right as law-abiding residents who should not have to ask the government for permission to exercise your rights, and lastly 3) protect your gun rights in a freer state while keeping our communities safe.
In your opinion:
Does removing local sheriff's offices from the approval process endanger our communities?
Should law-abiding residents have to ask the government for permission to exercise their Second Amendment rights?
What say you and why?
Written by Hasan Harnett
Hasan teaches people how to protect themselves, loved ones, and others. He is a leader and holistic self-defense coach who has integrated fitness, fighting arts, and firearms into a comprehensive system for the everyday person seeking superior defense training and intelligence.
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