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Gov. Cooper vetoes bill that would eliminate background checks for handguns

Earlier this month, the North Carolina House and Senate passed a bill that would eliminate the need for local sheriffs to issue a purchase permit for handguns.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Governor Roy Cooper vetoed a bill that would have eliminated the need for North Carolinians to have a local sheriff issue a permit before they could purchase a handgun. 

Earlier this month Senate Bill 41 passed both the North Carolina House of Representatives and the North Carolina Senate.

"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.”

The legislation removes sheriffs’ authority to refuse a permit based on signs of mental illness, domestic abuse incidents that might not be captured in a national database, or other indicators that a person could be a danger to themselves or others.

The bill would also allow people to bring concealed guns to church services that have schools on the property.

Republican Senator Danny Earl Britt, Jr. says he plans to override the bill.

"When given the opportunity to guarantee Second Amendment protections in North Carolina, Gov. Roy Cooper chose to maintain our duplicative gun laws and infringe on our constitutional rights. I look forward to a swift veto override in the Senate," Senator Britt responded. 

The 2023 North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force reports that gun deaths for children have increased dramatically—231.3% between 2012 and 2021. Guns are now the leading cause of injury and death for children in North Carolina, surpassing car accidents.

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