On Monday, Gov. Pat McCrory signed 18 bills into law, but the focus in the state has been centered toward two highly controversial pieces of legislation.
McCrory signed the gun rights and abortion bills, after both were passed this month by the General Assembly with near-identical voting margins.
The gun rights bill passed with a 73-41 vote on July 11 and the abortion bill went through on a 74-41 margin July 23.
The gun rights bill expands places where those with legal permits can carry a concealed firearm, including bars and restaurants. While guns aren’t permissible on college or public school grounds, the law will allow firearms to be kept locked in vehicles when parked.
Gun purchase and permit records will also be eliminated from the public eye and penalties will be steeper for those who violate firearms laws. Finally, more information will be in the state’s background check system, including mental health problems, in order to receive a permit when the bill is instituted on Oct. 1.
Kinston Public Safety Director Bill Johnson didn’t give his opinion on the bill, saying he couldn’t operate on personal bias; instead, on upholding the law.
“We just have to enforce the law and we’re charged to uphold it,” Johnson said. “Obviously, there are more places people can carry firearms and there are concerns about them being on college campuses and parks, especially where there are plenty of children around.
“It depends on situations from individuals as it does now. We have to act on decisions being made by adults in North Carolina. There are some factors, such as how well someone is trained and if they’re safety conscious.”
Lenoir County Sheriff Chris Hill said he was supportive with legislation protecting a citizen’s ability to lawfully defend from an attack, but also suspects a rise in breaking and entering into motor vehicles, where guns are often concealed.
“The number of concealed weapons permits is growing each day,” Hill said. “The ideology is people wanting to protect themselves while in the public because law enforcement cannot be everywhere at all times. I suspect we will see an increase in firearms thefts as there is an increase in motor vehicles with concealed weapons.”
Andy Peoples, owner of People’s Pawn Shop on North Queen Street, sells firearms, but didn’t believe it would raise sales at his establishment. Still, he was confident with the increase of protection in the state.
“Now, law-abiding citizens will have firearms instead of just thugs,” Peoples said. “Those who adhere to the laws don’t have to worry as much now.”
Sen. Louis Pate, R-Wayne, approved the bill, saying those living within the law should be permitted to have a weapon if needed.
“We have rights under the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution,” Pate said. “I think a person is ultimately in charge of his own self-defense.”
Rep. Annie Mobley, D-Hertford, opposed the bill, believing there will be problems with the expansion of the laws, especially in places selling alcohol.
“I don’t think we need to go back to the Wild West and have people carrying concealed weapons in bars and restaurants, because tempers flare with drinks,” Mobley said. “I’m not a drinker, but I’ve seen situations where attitudes change after alcohol. With guns, it’s easy for things to get out of hand.”
McCrory also signed the abortion bill, which will eliminate abortion coverage for public employees and individuals who have insurance through federal health care, will ban sex-selective abortions and will impose additional regulations on abortion clinics.
Rep. John Bell, R-Wayne, said the media hype misconstrues the true meaning of the bill.
“When you sit down and read the bill, it focuses on three major points,” Bell said. “First, it makes sex-selection abortions illegal in the state, which more than 80 percent of North Carolinians agreed with. Next, it ensured taxpayers don’t fund abortions. Abortions are procedures people choose to have and whether you believe in it or not, your tax dollars won’t be used to enact procedures.
“Finally, it modernizes health standards in the clinics in the state, which haven’t been updated since 1994. This ensures when someone has a procedure they’re safe. The intent wasn’t to make it harder, but modernized health standards so people don’t get hurt or killed. Organizations like Planned Parenthood spun it and made us sound like we made abortions illegal, which was not the case.”
Mobley wasn’t convinced, especially when the new standards will shut down all of one abortion clinic in the state.
“Certainly, there should be regulations and sterile conditions, but something isn’t right when you’re talking about closing a majority of them in the state,” Mobley said. “I have a problem with that.”
Junious Smith III can be reached at 252-559-1077 and Junious.Smith@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JuniousSmithIII.