from Jeff Rau
Legislative Liaison, Grass Roots North Carolina

As a legislative liaison for Grass Roots North Carolina I have worked with others to (among other things) get HB 442 and HB 842 passed into law. 

HB 442 is a CCW reciprocity bill so that NC can enter agreements with other states to recognize each others CCW permits. Concealed carry permit holders nationwide are probably the most law abiding people in this country. A state line should not end a person's right to self defense.

HB 842 would allow a concealed carry permit to be used as a handgun purchase permit. People with a North Carolina CCP have already gone through a more complete background check than is required for a purchase permit and a CCP needs to be renewed at least as often as is a handgun purchase permit. Currently to get a permit to purchase a handgun in North Carolina the person needs to go the the Sheriff's office once to fill out the paperwork, then a second time about a week later to pick up the permit. This must be done during normal business hours.

Both of these bills passed in the NC House. HB 442 passed by 99 to 3 in the 2nd reading. HB 842 passed by 101 to 9 in the 2nd reading. They are now being held captive in the Senate Judiciary II committee (SJ2) by the Committee Chair, Senator Kay Hagan. Please contact Senator Hagan. A phone call is best. Her office number is 919-733-5856. Next best is a fax (uses their paper) 919-838-9917. When faxing legislators make sure the person's NAME is written clearly on the fax. Often many legislators use the same fax machine. You may also use email Kayh@ncleg.net.  

Senator Hagan is from Greensboro so if you live close to there you may want to call her (at a reasonable time please) 336-379-8721 or fax 366-379-8003. 

Please give her the following message.

Dear Senator,

I urgently request that you support two non-controversial bills that passed the NC House by wide margins but have so far been blocked from a hearing in the J-II Committee. The first bill, HB 442: "Concealed Handguns/Reciprocity" will pave the way for North Carolinians to be able to protect themselves and their families while visiting states which our Attorney General has determined have CCH permit requirements similar to North Carolina.

The second bill, HB 842: "Gun Sale Legal with Concealed Handgun Permit" will eliminate redundant criminal background checks for handgun purchases by eliminating the need for a pistol purchase permit for those who have already undergone the far more stringent FBI and SBI background checks required for a CCH permit. 

These bills, which passed the NC House by wide margins, should have earned a prompt hearing in the Judiciary II Committee by now. Please support these bills by all means procedural and substantive, beginning with a prompt hearing in the J-II Committee.

Respectfully,

If you live out of state you may contact her and state that you would be more likely to vacation and spend your money in North Carolina if you could properly defend yourself and your family while here.

A month or 2 ago Senator Hagan told me she would not be able to schedule hearings for these bills for a week or 2 because of work on the budget coming to a head. Senator Hagan told another legislative liaison and me last week that these bills probably won't be heard this year. There is no telling what the "reason" for delay will be next year but rest assured something will come up if Senator Hagan thinks she can get away with it.

I will be going to see Senator Hagan this Thursday morning. I will give a report this weekend to let everyone know if it looks like we will get hearings or if we need to redouble our efforts. 

Remember that even if you live out of state you have reason to support HB 442 -- reciprocity.

Thank you for your help.