Well, it's raining, so we're all criminals again here in NC as of Wednesday...

[benEzra]

http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/node/139777

WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina's governor proclaimed a state of emergency Wednesday as coastal residents braced for drenching rains and possible flooding from a low pressure system interacting with the remnants of a tropical storm.

Gov. Beverly Perdue issued the precautionary declaration as Tropical Storm Nicole approached Wednesday afternoon. But Nicole dissipated over the straits of Florida and its remaining rainbands were expected to remain mainly offshore while tracking northward overnight.

http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_14/GS_14-288.7.html

§ 14‑288.7. Transporting dangerous weapon or substance during emergency; possessing off premises; exceptions.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, it is unlawful for any person to transport or possess off his own premises any dangerous weapon or substance in any area:

(1) In which a declared state of emergency exists; or

(2) Within the immediate vicinity of which a riot is occurring.

(b) This section does not apply to persons exempted from the provisions of G.S. 14‑269 with respect to any activities lawfully engaged in while carrying out their duties.

(c) Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. (1969, c. 869, s. 1; 1993, c. 539, s. 192; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)

So, technically, anyone in the rain-affected area who goes shooting at a shooting range, goes hunting, takes a gun to a gunsmith, buys a .22 at Walmart, or carries a firearm on a NC carry license is committing a misdemeanor today.

This law really needs to be repealed. It was passed in the late 1960's in order to let local officials ban guns from the "wrong color" hands whenever they felt the need (like quite a few of NC's gun control laws, actually), but I don't know of a single person (of any color) who has been charged with violating it in the past two decades. When Hurricane Earl brought a little rain and wind a few weeks ago, our Democratic governor made it very clear that she would not enforce a literal reading of the law, thankfully. So we're technically criminals, but our state government says it's OK.

Just another case of legislative inertia preserving a dumb law...and another example of why NC is 13th strictest in the nation as far as gun laws go...

[Billy Burnett]

1. More proof that Obama is going to take yer guns!111!!!

:sarcasm:

[benEzra]

3. I'm sure Obama would think this is dumb, too...

considering that the law was originally written to allow local politicians to disarm people of color. It was the last gasp of NC's Jim Crow era.

[Katya Mullethov]

10. And yet there it is

Dug in like a tick .

[SteveM]

12. I saw the house cat ignore a rat passing by. Shame on the lazy ratter.

[TheCowsCameHome]

2. Trade it in for an umbrella. It'll keep your powder dry.

:rofl:

[benEzra]

4. Have umbrella and boots...may need the kayak...

Well, actually, it's not that bad, but it's the first time the ditches have been full in a few months.

I did see a family of ducks swimming in someone's yard this morning. :)

[TheCowsCameHome]

5. I guess it's the remnants of a tropical storm

We'll get it in New England tonight.

Stay dry, if possible.

[benEzra]

8. Yup...Nicole, I think. We had several days of rain prior to the tropical remnants showing up

so we're all quite soggy today.

I did read just now that Wilmington (NC), where my sister lives, has gotten 21 inches of rain since Sunday.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gBcLEb37mbeAUo6WfUYvss0KTKUQD9II969O0?docId=D9II969O0

[Callisto32]

7. Central PA is getting its admittedly meager share right now, and we are worried about flooding.

Hope all goes well for you coastal folks.

[Bold Lib]

6. Very bad law and it needs to be repealed. Many states, in response

to the gun confiscations post Katrina, have enacted laws specifically to reinforce 2A rights in times of emergency.

[slackmaster]

9. It's raining in San Diego this morning too

That means the End is near.

[virginia mountainman]

11. Good Grief...

I was at work in Charlotte NC at 5 AM, and then back up I77 to Virginia. I was listing to the radio, and monitoring the weather conditions all that AM. I am also NWS Skywarn Spotter, so I was acutely aware of all the warnings, and such, but I knew NOTHING of the "state of emergency"..

I was LAWFULLY ARMED, (I thought so at least) with my Virginia Concealed Handgun permit...

I believe this is one "out of state" issue, I need to get personally involved in changing.