SOUTHEAST N.C. — Representative Ted Davis Jr. is weighing in on the gun control debate that has been taking place from the national to the local level. Several gun control bills have been presented to state lawmakers, but for Davis, individual bills will do little to curb the bigger problem.
“As the Senior Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, I have previously stated that rather than dealing with various gun Bills that are presently pending in that Committee that might offer a partial solution to gun violence, there needs to be comprehensive reform that reviews and addresses the status of our current mental health services, social and criminal justice reforms, and existing gun laws. Addressing one symptom while not addressing all of the causes will do little to avert a future tragedy,” Davis wrote in a newsletter.
The State of North Carolina does have some gun regulations already in effect, mainly when it comes to the purchase of pistols and other handguns. A pistol purchase permit must be obtained from local law enforcement and if a gun owner wants to concealed carry the weapon, they must go through a course and obtain a concealed carry permit.
But a current bill in the General Assembly, House Bill 86, would add significant restrictions to purchasing any type of firearm.
“I previously met with Becky Ceartas, Executive Director of North Carolinians Against Gun Violence, to discuss potential legislation. Our discussion included Extreme Risk Protection Orders (Red Flag Laws) in general; House Bill 86, “Gun Violence Prevention Act”; and mental health issues,” Davis said.
HB 86 would completely shake up the current status quo when it comes to purchasing long guns (rifles, shotguns) and require a permit to purchase any such weapon. Currently, an individual wanting to buy a long gun simply has to pass a background check on the federal level. Once that check is complete, a customer could leave the store in under an hour with a rifle or shotgun.
The proposed legislation would also require a 72 hour waiting period before a customer could take ownership of a long gun.
Most significantly, HB 86 would add a new type of weapon definition: assault weapon. The term assault weapon has been a talking point for both sides of the gun rights argument, with pro-gun activists claiming any weapon can be used to assault, and anti-gun supporters claiming weapons like the AR-15 should be reserved for military and police only.
There are dozens of weapons included in the newly proposed definition for assault weapons which can be viewed on the actual bill.
A quick look at a portion of the bill’s definitions include, “Semiautomatic firearms that meet any of the following criteria:
- A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has the ability to accept a detachable magazine and has at least one of the following:
- A folding or telescoping stock.
- Any grip of the weapon, including a pistol grip, a thumbhole stock, or any other stock, the use of which would allow an individual to grip the weapon, resulting in any finger on the trigger hand in addition to the trigger finger being directly below any portion of the action of the weapon when firing.
- A forward pistol grip.
- A flash suppressor.
- A grenade launcher or flare launcher.
- A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has a fixed magazine with the ability to accept more than 10 rounds.”
Davis did not specifically discuss his thoughts on the bill or show support (or resistance) for it, but he did meet with local sheriffs recently to discuss it, and more.
“On October 14, I met with New Hanover County Sheriff Ed McMahon; Brunswick County Sheriff John Ingram, who is also President of the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association; and Sheriff’s Association General Counsel Eddie Caldwell. Our discussion included Extreme Risk Protection Orders, such as House Bill 86; Senate Bill 90, “Modify Handgun Permits”, which is pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee; and mental health issues. I intend to talk to other stakeholders so that hopefully legislation that can address the various symptoms of gun violence can be drafted and considered in the 2020 Legislative Short Session,” Davis concluded.
