Concealed Weapons Reciprocity

Since 1995, North Carolina has allowed qualifying residents of the state to obtain a permit to carry a concealed handgun from the sheriff of the applicant’s home county. The permit is valid for five years unless it is revoked.

SBI analysts compile county-by-county statistics on permits allowed, denied and revoked.

Permits Honored in Other States
The Attorney General’s Law Enforcement Liaison section is charged with analyzing the laws of other states to determine whether concealed handgun permits are honored here, and North Carolina’s permits honored there.

Permit holders should know that while they can legally carry a concealed handgun while visiting these states, they’re subject to that state’s laws state and are responsible for learning about those laws.  Out-of-state permit holders should familiarize themselves with North Carolina’s laws.

For example, in North Carolina, concealed handguns may not be carried:

• In law enforcement or correctional facilities such as a prison;
• In financial institutions such as a bank;
• In any space occupied by state or federal employees, including state and federal courthouses;
• In schools or on school grounds;
• In areas of assemblies, parades, funerals or demonstrations;
• In any place where alcoholic beverages are sold and consumed (such as some restaurants);
• In any area where concealed handguns are prohibited by federal law;
• In any place of business that has posted a sign banning concealed weapons on its premises;
• By any person while consuming alcohol or while under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substances (unless obtained legally and taken as directed by a physician).

To possess a concealed handgun in North Carolina, you must:

• Carry your permit and a valid form of identification with you at all times.
• Disclose the fact that you have a valid concealed handgun permit when you are approached or addressed by any law enforcement officer in North Carolina.
• Inform the officer that you are in possession of a concealed handgun.
• Present both the permit and valid identification at the request of an officer

NOTE: You should not attempt to display either your weapon or your permit unless directed to by an officer.

States with North Carolina Agreements

Alabama  Kansas  Oklahoma
Alaska  Kentucky Pennsylvania
Arizona  Louisiana  South Carolina
Arkansas  Michigan  South Dakota
Colorado Mississippi Tennessee
Delaware  Missouri  Texas
Florida  Montana  Utah
Georgia  New Hampshire  Virginia
Idaho  North Dakota  Washington
Indiana  Ohio  West Virginia

WASHINGTON  – In a rare win for gun control advocates, the Senate on Wednesday rejected a measure allowing a person with a concealed weapon permit in one state to also hide his firearm when visiting another state.

Scroll to bottom of story for details about North Carolina’s conceal/carry rules.

The vote was 58-39 in favor of the provision establishing concealed carry permit reciprocity in the 48 states that have concealed weapons laws. That fell two votes short of the 60 needed to approve the measure, offered as an amendment to a defense spending bill.

Opponents prevailed in their argument that the measure violated states rights by forcing states with stringent requirements for permits to recognize concealed weapons carriers from states that give out permits to almost any gun owner.

“This is no minor shift in policy,” said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., whose state requires people to be fingerprinted, get gun training and to undergo a federal background check before issuing permits. “It in fact would be a sweeping change and I think with some deadly consequences.”

The vote reversed recent trends where Republicans and gun rights Democrats from rural states joined to push pro-gun rights issues and block gun control legislation.

Congress this year voted to restore the rights of people to carry loaded weapons into national parks and the Senate moved to effectively eviscerate the tough gun control laws of the District of Columbia.

Congress has also ignored urgings from President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder to revive a ban on military-style weapons that expired in 2004.

The concealed weapons measure, promoted by the National Rifle Association and Gun Owners of America, would have made a concealed weapon permit from one state valid in the 47 other states with permit laws. Only Wisconsin and Illinois have no carry permit laws.

Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., the sponsor, said it would not provide for a national carry permit, and that a visitor to another state would have to obey the limitations of that state, such as bans on concealed weapons in restaurants or other places.

“Law-abiding individuals have the right to self-defense,” even when they cross state lines, Thune said, citing the example of truck drivers who need to protect themselves as they travel.

Opponents, however, said the 48 states with permits have a broad range of conditions for obtaining those permits: some such as Alaska and Vermont, give permits to almost all gun owners. Others, such as New York, have firearm training requirements and exclude people with drinking problems or criminal records.

New York Democrat Charles Schumer raised the possibility of his state having to accept gun carriers from states that have few or no restrictions. Thune’s proposal, he said, was “the most dangerous piece of legislation to the safety of Americans when it comes to guns since the repeal of the assault weapons ban.”

Thune shot back that if a person from South Dakota with a carry permit visited Central Park in New York City, “Central Park will be a much safer place.”

Other opponents said the proposal infringed on states’ rights, usually an important principle for gun rights groups. Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., said it would override the laws of 11 states – California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Rhode Island – and the District of Columbia – which do not allow carry permit reciprocity with other states.

Sen. David Vitter, R-La., another sponsor, reminded his colleagues that the NRA and Gun Owners of America were scoring the vote, meaning it would be considered in their election evaluation of lawmakers.

NRA chief lobbyist Chris W. Cox said the last two decades have shown a strong shift toward gun rights laws. “We believe it’s time for Congress to acknowledge these changes and respect the right of self-defense, and the right of self-defense does not stop at state lines,” he said.

Gun control groups were strongly in opposition.

The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence said Mississippi residents can get a permit without any training, including ever shooting a pistol on a range. These permit holders could carry
firearms in New York City, where police have broad discretion to deny permits, or Dallas, where permit applicants must undergo at least 10 hours of training.

“It is critical to our efforts that people who enter our state abide by the laws of our state which have supported the progress we are making,” Newark, N.J., mayor Cory Booker said in a statement. “This is not a law that will in any way support our efforts to create a safer Newark.”

Inside the First Amendment
Use First Amendment freedoms to debate Second Amendment issues
By Gene Policinski
First Amendment Center

Nobody wants to encourage or invite another campus killing spree like the one in 2007 at Virginia Tech University, in which 32 people died and 17 were wounded.

But does that reasonable concern extend to prohibiting a rally or a flyer that promotes the idea of allowing students to carry firearms on campus in self-defense?

You and I may consider the idea of armed undergraduates as either inspired or wacky – but that’s not the First Amendment point, which seems to be lost on at least a few college administrators.

In Pennsylvania, the Associated Press reported, Community College of Allegheny County officials stopped distribution of promotional material for the group Students for Concealed Carry on Campus. In Texas, AP said, Tarrant County College administrators refused to allow an “empty holster” protest on campus – even in the college’s free-speech zone. A spokesman for Tarrant was quoted as saying the holster protest would be “disruptive to the campus environment.”

Allowing a demonstration or a flier advocating guns on campus is not tantamount to approving gun-toting by students (or faculty and staff, for that matter). Rather, it would seem a good starting point for discussion of a serious topic – campus safety – that would permit both advocates and critics of such plans to air their views.

Admittedly, even thinking about Virginia Tech or other such incidents is an exercise in reliving tragedy and sorrow. We all would prefer that university students spend their time learning and thinking about careers and a host of other pleasant life experiences, now and ahead.

But the reality is that school shootings, high school and college, have occurred with distressing frequency in recent decades. Improved security on campuses, new ID procedures, better and faster lockdown plans and even high-tech solutions to notifying college communities of dangerous situations are all ways to prevent or limit the next such criminal attack. Some have proposed better mental-health evaluations for troubled students, including tying such exams to gun-permit laws.

Yes, realistic and blunt discussions may well make some students, professors or staff uncomfortable or uneasy. But such sessions would provide an opportunity for mainstream ideas to be dissected along with novel and perhaps unsettling ideas like “campus carry.”

Debate over allowing concealed weapons in thus-far-off-limits public situations isn’t confined to the campus. In Tennessee, Gov. Phil Bredesen recently vetoed a bill that would have allowed gun owners with permits to carry their weapons into bars and restaurants that serve alcohol. But even Bredesen admits he wouldn’t be surprised if the Legislature overrode him.

The Tennessee confrontation over guns in bars and restaurants puts the battle between gun regulators and gun advocates in the proper arena – discussion about the safety of the conduct, not suppression of the argument. Under the First Amendment, we should be able to talk, promote, encourage, debate, discuss or oppose virtually any idea and its merits and demerits.

As Supreme Court justices and First Amendment scholars have reminded us repeatedly, such free and open debate not only places differing views in the public marketplace of ideas, but also may well encourage those opposed to make their own stand in response.

If an intellectual, informed exchange of ideas in search of a solution and common ground should find a welcoming atmosphere anywhere in our society, it would seem to be at colleges and universities.
Critics, particularly conservatives, say such a level debating ground at many universities long ago fell victim to political correctness and a singular, liberal point of view. I can’t settle that ongoing dispute and won’t try.

But just on the “campus carry” demonstration issue, here’s my solution: Students should be able to have a full, vigorous and collegial discussion of their Second Amendment rights by exercising their First Amendment freedoms.

Gene Policinski is vice president and executive director of the First Amendment Center, 555 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001. Web: www.firstamendmentcenter.org. E-mail: gpolicinski@fac.org.

Like many gun enthusiasts, Mr. Chambers, a manager for a door wholesaler here, believes President Barack Obama and the Democrats in Congress soon will reimpose a version of an expired federal ban on the sale of so-called assault weapons.

RALEIGH, N.C. – Survey data from Public Policy Polling finds that 51 percent of gun owners in North Carolina are concerned that President Barack Obama’s administration will push for legislation making it more difficult for civilians to own guns.

Among these gun owners, 68 percent of Republicans and 53 percent of independent voters reported worrying that Obama will diminish their right to bear arms. Among North Carolinians who voted for Senator John McCain or a third-party candidate, 70 percent and 56 percent, respectively, are concerned about this.

However, 78 percent of all respondents think gun control laws should be at least moderately strict, if not more so.

Of those respondents who voted for Obama in the 2008 presidential election, 57 percent believe gun control laws should be very strict, whereas only 20% of McCain supporters wanted very strict legislation.

“North Carolinians who voted for McCain last November tend to think the government should exercise moderate control over gun ownership,” said Katherine Rumbaugh, a spring fellow with PPP. “Voters who cast their ballots for a third-party candidate were the most likely to think gun control legislation should be minimally strict.”

Independent or unaffiliated voters were also most likely to rank issues involving gun ownership as very important, at 59 percent.

Significantly more women than men think gun control laws should be very strict, a 47/30 difference. By race, more African Americans than white think these laws should be very strict by a ratio of nearly 2:1.

Complete results are attached and can be found at www.publicpolicypolling.com.

RALEIGH, N.C. – More than one-half of registered voters in North Carolina keep a gun in
their homes, the newest survey from Public Policy Polling finds.

Of these gun owners, 76 percent keep their firearms to protect themselves or their families from criminals, and 60% have guns for recreational purposes like hunting.

PPP’s survey also finds that the presence of young children does not make a difference as to whether North Carolinians keep firearms in their homes. Of the respondents who said they have children under 16 in their homes, 48% reported owning guns.

By community, the highest rate of gun ownership is found in rural areas, with 67% of respondents reporting they keep firearms in their home. However, significantly more gun owners in urban areas – 85% compared to the overall 76% – reported owning them for protection against criminals.

“People living in places with higher crime rates, specifically large cities, have greater concerns about becoming crime victims,” said Katherine Rumbaugh, a spring fellow with Public Policy Polling. “Among African Americans, who are more likely to live in urban areas, 83% of those who own guns said they keep them for protection against crime.”

In comparison, 74% of white gun owners report keeping firearms in their homes as a protective measure.

By political party, nearly two-thirds of Republicans reported owning firearms, while only 41% of Democrats did.

Complete results are attached and can be found at www.publicpolicypolling.com.

John McCain and Barack Obama spoke about hunting and fishing in a Q&A with Field & Stream magazine:
     
      Q: Do you hunt and fish?
      OBAMA: You know, when you’re in the South Side of Chicago, there’s not too much, too many opportunities for hunting and fishing. When I was a kid, I grew up in Hawaii, and so I would go fishing with my grandfather. And when I got older, actually, we did spearfishing there, which was sort of a combination of hunting and fishing. You know, we would snorkel. I didn’t scuba dive at the time, but I would snorkel and (use a) spear gun. And some of my best memories are going down there with friends of mine. In Illinois, I haven’t gone hunting and fishing.

      Q: Do you own a gun?
      MCCAIN: I do not. I have used weapons most of my adult life in the military from when I first entered the Naval Academy, being out on the rifle and pistol range. I carried a pistol in combat. Never got a chance to use it (laughs). So I’m very familiar. But I just haven’t gotten into hunting. I have a son who’s a hunter.
      Q: Do you fish?
      MCCAIN: Oh, I fish all the time. I fish for catfish. I fish for bass. I fish for bluegill that all are on our property and in Oak Creek, which is our property up in northern Arizona. It’s on Oak Creek. Also, there is a fish hatchery that’s down from us – not on the property – obviously the state fish hatchery, trout, but I have to admit to you I’ve never caught one of their trout. Maybe they’ve never put them into the creek near our home. … I fish in the creek, and we have a pond that we have fish in, as well. We have one catfish who I’ve hooked at least 10 times who always is able to get to the piling of our little dock and break the line. He must have at least 10 hooks hanging out of his mouth. We do stock it with catfish.
      —

Read More

A look at where Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain stand on a selection of issues:

ABORTION

McCain: Opposes abortion rights. Has voted for abortion restrictions permissible under Roe v. Wade, and now says he would seek to overturn that guarantee of abortion rights. Would not seek constitutional amendment to ban abortion.
Obama: Favors abortion rights.

AFGHANISTAN

McCain: Favors unspecified boost in U.S. forces.
Obama: Would add about 7,000 troops to the U.S. force of 36,000, bringing the reinforcements from Iraq. Has threatened unilateral attack on high-value terrorist targets in Pakistan as they become exposed, “if Pakistan cannot or will not act” against them.

CAMPAIGN FINANCE

McCain: The co-author of McCain-Feingold campaign finance law is running his general campaign with public money and within its spending limits. He urged Obama to do the same. He applied for federal matching funds for primaries but later turned them down so he could spend more than the limits. The Federal Election Commission belatedly approved his decision to bypass the primary funds, but rejected McCain’s claim that he needed no such approval.

He raised more than $160 million before having to stop to accept the $84 million in public money for the fall. McCain accepted primary campaign contributions from lobbyists.
Obama: The presidential campaign’s fundraising champion has brought in more than $450 million. He is raising private money for his general election, despite his proposal last year to accept public financing and its spending limits if the Republican nominee does, too. Obama refuses to accept money from federal lobbyists and has instructed the Democratic National Committee to do the same for its joint victory fund, an account that would benefit the nominee. Obama does accept money from state lobbyists and from family members of federal lobbyists.
CUBA

McCain: Ease restrictions on Cuba once U.S. is “confident thatthe transition to a free and open democracy is being made.”
Obama: Ease restrictions on family-related travel and on money Cuban-Americans want to send to their families in Cuba. Open to meeting new Cuban leader Raul Castro without preconditions. Ease trade embargo if Havana “begins opening Cuba to meaningful democratic change.”

DEATH PENALTY

McCain: Has supported expansion of the federal death penalty and limits on appeals.
Obama: Supports death penalty for crimes for which the “community is justified in expressing the full measure of its outrage.” As Illinois lawmaker, wrote bill mandating videotaping of interrogations and confessions in capital cases and sought other changes in system that had produced wrongful convictions.

EDUCATION

McCain: He is not proposing a federal voucher program that would provide public money for private school tuition, in contrast to his proposed $5 billion voucher plan in 2000. Only proposes expansion of District of Columbia’s voucher program. Sees No Child Left Behind law as vehicle for increasing opportunities for parents to choose schools. Proposes more money for community college education. 
Obama: An $18 billion plan that would encourage, but not mandate, universal pre-kindergarten. Teacher pay raises tied to, although not based solely on, test scores. An overhaul of No Child Left Behind law to better measure student progress, make room for non-core subjects like music and art and be less punitive toward failing schools. A tax credit to pay up to $4,000 of college costs for students who perform 100 hours of community service a year. Obama would pay for part of his plan by ending corporate tax deductions for CEO pay. Has backed away from his proposal to save money by delaying NASA’s moon and Mars missions.

ENERGY
McCain: Favors increased offshore drilling and federal money to help build 45 nuclear power reactors by 2030. Opposes drilling in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Proposed suspending the 18-cent a gallon federal gasoline tax but idea got no traction. Global warming plan would increase energy costs.
Obama: Now would consider limited increase in offshore drilling. Opposes drilling in Arctic reserve. Proposes windfall-profits tax on largest oil companies to pay for energy rebate of up to $1,000. Opposed suspension of the gas tax. Proposed releasing 70 million barrels of oil from Strategic Petroleum Reserve to boost supplies. Global warming plan would increase energy costs.

GAY MARRIAGE

McCain: Opposes constitutional amendment to ban it. Says same-sex couples should be allowed to enter into legal agreements for insurance and similar benefits, and states should decide about marriage. Supports the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which denies federal recognition of same-sex marriages and gives states the right to refuse to recognize such marriages.
Obama: Opposes constitutional amendment to ban it. Supports civil unions, says states should decide about marriage. Switched positions in 2004 and now supports repeal of Defense of Marriage Act, which denies federal recognition of same-sex marriages and gives states the right to refuse to recognize such marriages.

GLOBAL WARMING

McCain: Broke with President Bush on global warming. Led Senate effort to cap greenhouse gas emissions. Favors plan that would see greenhouse gas emissions cut by 66 percent by 2050.
Obama: Ten-year, $150 billion program to produce “climate friendly” energy supplies that he’d pay for with a carbon auction requiring businesses to bid competitively for the right to pollute and aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050. Joined McCain in sponsoring earlier legislation that would set mandatory caps on greenhouse gas emissions. Increase federal fuel economy requirements beyond 35 mpg.

GUN CONTROL

McCain: Voted against ban on assault-type weapons but in favor of requiring background checks at gun shows. Voted to shield gun-makers and dealers from civil suits. “I believe the Second Amendment ought to be preserved – which means no gun control.”
Obama: Voted to leave gun-makers and dealers open to suit. Also, as Illinois state lawmaker, supported ban on all forms of semiautomatic weapons and tighter state restrictions generally on firearms.

HEALTH CARE

McCain: $2,500 refundable tax credit for individuals, $5,000 for families, to make health insurance more affordable. No mandate for universal coverage. In gaining the tax credit, workers could not deduct the portion of their workplace health insurance paid by their employers.
Obama: Mandatory coverage for children, no mandate for adults. Aim for universal coverage by requiring employers to share costs of insuring workers and by offering coverage similar to that in plan for federal employees. Says package would cost up to $65 billion a year after unspecified savings from making system more efficient. Raise taxes on wealthier families to pay the cost.

HOUSING
McCain: Open to helping homeowners facing foreclosure if they are “legitimate borrowers” and not speculators.
Obama: Tax credit covering 10 percent of annual mortgage-interest payments for “struggling homeowners,” scoring system for consumers to compare mortgages, a fund for mortgage-fraud victims, new penalties for mortgage fraud, aid to state and local governments stung by housing crisis, in $20 billion plan geared to “responsible homeowners.”

IMMIGRATION
McCain: Sponsored 2006 bill that would have allowed illegal immigrants to stay in the U.S., work and apply to become legal residents after learning English, paying fines and back taxes and clearing a background check. Now says he would secure the border first. Supports border fence.
Obama: Voted for 2006 bill offering legal status to illegal immigrants subject to conditions, including English proficiency and payment of back taxes and fines. Voted for border fence.

IRAN

McCain: Favors tougher sanctions, opposes direct high-level talks with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Obama: Initially said he would meet Ahmadinejad without preconditions, now says he’s not sure “Ahmadinejad is the right person to meet with right now.” But says direct diplomacy with Iranian leaders would give U.S. more credibility to press for tougher international sanctions. Says he would intensify diplomatic pressure on Tehran before Israel feels the need to take unilateral military action against Iranian nuclear facilities.

IRAQ

McCain: Opposes scheduling a troop withdrawal, saying latest strategy is succeeding. Supported decision to go to war, but was early critic of the manner in which administration prosecuted it. Was key backer of the troop increase. Willing to have permanent U.S. peacekeeping forces in Iraq.
Obama: Spoke against war at start, opposed troop increase. Voted against one major military spending bill in May 2007; otherwise voted in favor of money to support the war. Says his plan would complete withdrawal of combat troops in 16 months. Initially had said a timetable for completing withdrawal would be irresponsible without knowing what facts he’d face in office.

SOCIAL SECURITY

McCain: “Nothing’s off the table” when it comes to saving Social Security.
Obama: Would raise payroll tax on wealthiest by applying it to portion of income over $250,000. Now, payroll tax is applied to income up to $102,000. Rules out raising the retirement age for benefits.

STEM CELL RESEARCH

McCain: Supports relaxing federal restrictions on financing of embryonic stem cell research.

Obama: Supports relaxing federal restrictions on financing of embryonic stem cell research.

TAXES

McCain: Pledged not to raise taxes, then equivocated, saying nothing can be ruled out in negotiating compromises to keep Social Security solvent. Twice opposed Bush’s tax cuts, at first because he said they were tilted to the wealthiest and again because of the unknown costs of Iraq war. Now says those tax cuts, expiring in 2010, should be permanent. Proposes cutting corporate tax rate to 25 percent. Promises balance budget in first term, says that is unlikely in his first year.
Obama: Raise income taxes on wealthiest and their capital gains and dividends taxes. Raise corporate taxes. $80 billion in tax breaks mainly for poor workers and elderly, including tripling Earned Income Tax Credit for minimum-wage workers and higher credit for larger families. Eliminate tax-filing requirement for older workers making under $50,000. A mortgage-interest credit could be used by lower-income homeowners who do not take the mortgage-interest deduction because they do not itemize their taxes.

TRADE
McCain: Free trade advocate.
Obama: Seek to reopen North American Free Trade Agreement to strengthen enforcement of labor and environmental standards. In 2004 Senate campaign, called for “enforcing existing trade agreements,” not amending them.