Thank You, To All Members And Lawmakers Who Helped Pass SB 33

On Saturday, June 14, Governor Michael Easley (D) signed into law SB 33, the NRA-backed Right to Carry reciprocity bill. This law gives valid carry permit holders from states that have similar permit issuing requirements as North Carolina the ability to carry their firearm for personal protection in North Carolina. This, in turn, will encourage more states to recognize North Carolina permits. The North Carolina Department of Justice will develop and maintain the list of states that meet the standards for establishing reciprocal agreements, and official permit recognition will begin 60 days from the date of SB 33 becoming law. Congratulations to all NRA members in North Carolina who worked so hard to ensure passage of this important reform! Our thanks go out to all lawmakers who voted for SB 33, but be sure to thank those who worked hard to ensure this legislation became law. Those who deserve a special thanks are: Sen. Scott Thomas (D-2), the primary sponsor of SB 33; Rep. Mark Hilton (R-88), Michael Gorman (R-3), Pryor Gibson (D-69), and Michael Decker (D-94), who sponsored identical legislation in the House; Reps. James Black (D-100) and Richard Morgan (R-52), the Democrat and Republican Speakers of the House; Senate President Pro Tempore Marc Basnight (D-1); and, of course, Governor Michael Easley. In other news, a "study" funded by the Brady Center/HCI has led to a series of meetings in Durham titled "How to Stop the Shootings in Durham." It is unclear if these meetings will have an anti-gun bias, but with the source of the funding for the "study" coming from the gun-ban lobby, law-abiding gun owners should be somewhat concerned. The meetings will take place each Monday, from noon to 1:00 p.m., through July 21 (the first was held last week), and are free and open to the public. Lunch and free drinks will be served, and the meetings will take place at the Lyon Park Community and Family Life Center, located at 1313 Halley St., at Kent Street, in Durham. Law-abiding gun owners should try to attend to ensure any discussions are presented with the proper concern for our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. For more details on the meetings, please call (919) 419-1458.