Today, the Senate pulled House Bill 49 from the Committee on Rules and Operations and will send it to the floor for final passage. It requires sheriffs to waive the training requirement for former concealed carry permit holders who apply for renewal within 60 days of their previous permit expiring. If the permit has been expired for more than 60 days, but less than 180 days, the training requirement is waived for the completion of a refresher course. This ensures that law-abiding citizens who inadvertently let their permit expire can apply for a new one without as much time and expense.

Though this bill is not a large step for Second Amendment rights in North Carolina, it is nonetheless another pro-self-defense bill that the General Assembly is sending to an anti-gun governor. Governor Roy Cooper is expected to veto this, as he vetoed the pistol permit repeal and the worshipper protection bill from last year.

This is a reminder to all law-abiding gun owners that they must be ready to vote this year to elect lawmakers who will work to protect their rights. Please stay tuned to www.nraila.org and your email inbox for further updates.