NC: Bills would allow guns in parks, restaurants, and employer parking lots.

[GreenStormCloud]

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/03/04/2109036/bills-would-allow-guns-in-parks.html

RALEIGH There could be more guns in parks, restaurants and workplaces under two bills state legislators are considering.

Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing is something lawmakers have just begun to consider.

One bill would make it legal for people with concealed handgun permits to bring their weapons into restaurants and parks. The other would allow gun owners to lock their weapons in their cars while they're at work. And a bill filed Thursday by Youngsville Republican Rep. Glen Bradley would exempt from all federal regulation any firearm, accessory and ammunition made and kept in North Carolina.

The proposals are among several bills introduced into the General Assembly this session that would expand the rights of gun owners. A House bill is under consideration that would allow legislators and other elected officials who have concealed-carry permits to bring their handguns with them anywhere in the state, except where prohibited by federal law. Earlier this week, the Senate approved a "castle doctrine" bill that would give additional legal protection to those who use deadly force against intruders threatening their homes, vehicles or businesses.

Additional legislation that some gun advocates would like to see introduced this session includes eliminating the requirement that county sheriffs issue concealed-carry permits after federal background checks are performed, and allowing concealed handguns on college campuses.

More at link

All the bills are expected to pass.

That is just part of the huge wave of pro-gun legislation that is sweeping the country.

[villager]

1. it's definitely sweeping the red states -- as short-sighted, rightwing policies tend to do...

n/t

[lawodevolution]

3. And many blue states

[villager]

4. aside from Pennsylvania, which "many" do you refer to? (And Penn went red in the midterms)

n/t

[Kennah]

7. I believe PA went Shall Issue in 1989

[speltwon]

10. Except for those blue states, like mine, that already allow this

In fact, the mayor of Seattle tried to ban guns from city parks. He was told by the state attorney general that he was trying to get around state law, and he would lose. He did it by executive order, and was promptly slapped down. An attorney, who was pro RKBA called police and said he was showing up at the park with a gun. He did so, was promptly told to leave by police, and he had his standing to sue.

[spin]

5. Florida has allowed licensed concealed carry in restaurants and parks since 1987 ...

and has allowed a person with a concealed carry permit to have a firearm in his locked vehicle at work since 2008. (Actually for many years you could have a weapon in your car at work without a concealed carry license. The law was enacted because many companies started to pass rules which banned firearms in their parking lot.)

These laws have not been revoked yet which indicates to me that the policy is not short sighted in the least. Blood has not been flowing in the streets, restaurants, parking lots or parks merely because honest citizens can get a license to carry.

It's interesting to note that only 168 concealed weapons permits have been revoked in Florida in the last 24 years because of a crime involving a firearm committed after the license was issued. Since 1987 1,935,722 concealed weapons permits have been issued and currently 793,809 are valid.(source: http://licgweb.doacs.state.fl.us/stats/cw_monthly.html)

I could also point out that many Democrats support RKBA and "shall issue" concealed carry.

[villager]

6. So, you're counting Florida "blue," in spite of its current state legislature?

n/t

[Kennah]

8. Isn't Florida now purple?

[villager]

9. certainly not intra-state (or in its last Senatorial election...)

n/t

[Kennah]

12. Well, but, Blue and Red tend to associated with Presidential elections because ...

... the electoral college is all or nothing.

[villager]

22. yes, but when people claim "Every state is doing it!," it's really the Red/ Red culture

ones... "Let a thousand rifles bloom!," etc.

Their peculiar version of "spring," etc...

[Kennah]

28. Back in 1986, there were just 10 RTC states - Five Red and Five Blue

Red
Alabama
Georgia (although some argue they weren't RTC until 1989)
Indiana
North Dakota
South Dakota

Blue
Connecticut
Maine
New Hampshire
Vermont
Washington

The issue was neither Red nor Blue when the current wave started.

The issue became artificially colored Red, and that's led to a rift with a significant portion of the voting public on the issue.

By continuing to label it a Red issue only drives a wedge between the Left and a lot of gunowners.

40 RTC states, and crime is much lower today than in 1986.

[spin]

11. No. I am just pointing out that the sky is not falling ...

People with concealed carry permits that have had a criminal background check and training do not pose a significant threat. It matters not if Florida is red or blue, the fact still remains that in 24 years only 168 concealed weapons permits have been revoked because the holder used a firearm in a crime after the license was issued.

Why would any other state be significantly different than Florida?

Are you aware that 42 states currently allow non drinking license holders to carry firearms in restaurants?

[GreenStormCloud]

18. That map is wrong on several states. Use the Wiki one. N/T

[spin]

23. Thanks. (n/t)

[Ken_Fish]

16. NW was blue last time around. Wanna contribute to keeping it that way

don't piss down the leg of legal gun owners.

[spin]

2. Florida allows guns in parks, restaurants, and employer parking lots ...

if an individual has a valid concealed carry permit. The sky is NOT falling!

[VoteProgressive]

13. Is there any doubt in anyones mind that this will pass? The anti-gun fight is a lost cause.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

14. As any anti civil rights cause should be

[VoteProgressive]

24. Not sure it is a civil rights issue to most gun owners but maybe a few. Most just want guns.

[RSillsbee]

25. And? NT

[VoteProgressive]

26. And nothing. That is their right. But just do not say it is something that it is not.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

27. Gun control is rooted in racism and classism. It disproportionately impacts the poor and minorities

Kind of sounds like a civil rights issue to me since self defense is a natural right and recognized by the courts as such.

I teach firearms mostly to GLBTs and women, since it is hard to bash an armed and prepared person.

[RamboLiberal]

15. Good - I don't have any problems with this

As a female I want to be able to carry in a park if where I'm walking could be lonely or wilderness.

But what are women always advised. Stay in well-populated areas. Walk/run/bike in the day time. Go with a companion. Carry mace, pepper-spray or a whistle.

I've read countless cases where the rapists/killers staked out parks & bike trails as places to ambush women.

[benEzra]

17. As an NC resident, I'm glad that some of these are being considered.

I'm particularly pleased with the move to bring NC's weird Castle Doctrine statute into line with that of most other states (currently, it revokes Castle Doctrine protection for the homeowner if the intruder successfully completes the illegal forced entry, which seems precisely backward from the way it should be), and the restaurant carry reform is also a good move, IMO.

[FiveGoodMen]

19. But students will still be expelled if they have a box cutter in their trunk.

Count on it.

[jpak]

20. Filed by Republican moran Rep. Glen Bradley - who knew? More republican insanity

yup

[Kennah]

21. Blue Washington state has allowed park and restaurant carry for years