North Carolina governor vetoes pistol permit repeal

March 25, 2023

The Associated Press reports that Roy Cooper, the Democratic governor of North Carolina, just vetoed a Republican piece of legislation having to do with handgun permits. 

Now, as we will see, the Republicans will be given the opportunity to override Cooper's veto.

Senate Bill 41

At the top of the legislation, the following summary is provided:

An act 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 empoloyees, 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.

North Carolina's House recently passed the legislation by a vote of 70 to 44. Every Republican - and three Democrats - in the state House voted in favor of the legislation.

The legislation had already passed along party lines in North Carolina's Senate.

So, after it was passed by the state House, the legislation was sent to Cooper's desk.

Cooper's veto

Cooper, on Friday, decided to veto the bill.

He said:

Eliminating strong background checks will allow more domestic abusers and other dangerous people to own handguns and reduces law enforcement’s ability to stop them from committing violent crimes. Second Amendment supporting, responsible gun owners know this will put families and communities at risk.

Cooper's veto was no surprise to anyone, as he and his fellow Democrats have been fighting this sort of legislation for some time now.

The Associated Press, for example, reports:

[In 2021] Cooper successfully blocked standalone versions of the pistol permit repeal and another provision allowing people with concealed weapons permits to carry openly or under clothing while attending religious services where private or charter schools also meet.

But, Cooper and his fellow Democrats may not be as successful this time around.

What now?

Now, the legislation will head back to North Carolina's Senate, where members of that body will decide whether or not to override Cooper's veto. Then, it will head over to the state House.

North Carolina Republicans have made significant gains in the state's general assembly since the last time that Cooper was able to defeat such legislation. But, whether this will be enough to overcome the veto is unclear. The Associated Press reports that, in the general assembly, "Republicans are just one seat short of a veto-proof supermajority in the House."

Still, North Carolina Republicans are confident that, this time, they are going to be able to override Cooper's veto.

" A free people [claim] their rights, as derived from the laws of nature."
Thomas Jefferson
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