By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
In a letter to the President Pro Tem of North Carolina’s State Senate and state House Speaker, the head of Grass Roots North Carolina (GRNC) has outlined his organization’s legislative priorities for the upcoming session, which begins Jan. 11.
In his letter to Sen. Phil Berger and Speaker Tim Moore, GRNC President Paul Valone says his organizations’ Legislative Action Team will be “highly active in the upcoming session” in which the group’s agenda will include:
- Permitless or “constitutional” carry of concealed firearms
- Repealing our archaic, Jim Crow-era pistol purchase permit law
- Protecting religious institutions by eliminating the “church carry loophole”
- Protecting North Carolina’s long tradition of shooting on personal property
Should North Carolina become a “constitutional carry” state, it would join a list that already includes half the states in the country.
There is also an effort in Florida to bring the Sunshine State onto the roster. However, North Carolina is led by Democrat Roy Cooper in the Governor’s office, so even if such a bill should pass, it might not survive a veto. The common denominator so far with permitless carry states is Republican governors.
Valone makes reference to the problem in his letter.
“Realizing the competing interests you face,” Valone says, “when the 2023-2024 session of the NC General Assembly convenes, I strongly urge you to consider the interests of Second Amendment volunteers and voters who worked tirelessly to create a Republican majority capable of over-riding Governor Roy Cooper’s many gun-related vetoes.”
Repeal of permit-to-purchase is also an effort that could gain traction, especially in the wake of last June’s Supreme Court ruling in Bruen. Such a requirement—getting a permit in order to exercise a constitutionally enumerated right—may now be unconstitutional. A permit requirement included in Oregon’s controversial Measure 114 is now being challenged in both state and federal courts, on both state and federal constitutional grounds.
In his letter, Valone told both political leaders, “Obviously, GRNC will also continue to vociferously oppose gun control measures such as deceptive and unconstitutional ‘red flag’ gun confiscation – a priority I’m certain you share.
“Given new GOP power plus the role of gun voters in creating it,” Valone continued, “I have every confidence Republican leadership will end our frustrating seven-year stalemate and advance the rights of Second Amendment supporters who look forward to reaping the rewards they worked so hard to achieve.”
