GIFFORDS, Everytown, and North Carolinians Against Gun Violence Condemns North Carolina Legislature for Pistol Permit Law Veto Override
Washington DC — GIFFORDS, the gun violence prevention organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Everytown for Gun Safety, North Carolinians Against Gun Violence condemned the North Carolina Legislature for overriding Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of legislation that would repeal North Carolina’s pistol permit law. Currently, North Carolina law provides that no person may purchase or receive a handgun without a permit to purchase a handgun or a concealed handgun permit.
Peter Ambler, GIFFORDS Executive Director:
“Extremists in the legislature continue to side with the gun lobby over the safety of North Carolinians. Governor Cooper showed his commitment to protecting North Carolinians from gun violence, but legislators chose to override his veto, putting many lives at risk. This legislation is an enormous step backward in the fight for gun safety and we will continue to work with Governor Cooper and our allies in the legislature to ensure the safety of all North Carolinians.”
John Feinblatt, Everytown for Gun Safety President:
“As America reels from the horrific school shooting in Nashville, gun lobby legislators in North Carolina are doubling down on a law that will make it even easier for people with dangerous histories to buy guns. The evidence is clear — weak gun laws equals more death, a fact North Carolina lawmakers are willfully disregarding to curry favor from gun extremists.”
Becky Ceartas, North Carolinians Against Gun ViolenceExecutive Director:
“Make no mistake, this vote to override Governor Cooper’s veto of SB 41 puts every North Carolinian’s safety in greater peril. 2021 was the most violent year this century in North Carolina. Our legislature should be working to keep us safe from gun violence, not making it easier for prohibited people to get guns and put us more at risk. NCGV will continue to advocate for gun violence prevention measures to protect our citizens while it’s clear that our legislature won’t.
“Lawmakers that voted to repeal our Pistol Purchase Permitting system will have blood on their hands. We will wake up 5 or 10 years from now and see that our gun homicide and gun suicide rates have risen. And we will directly point to these votes to repeal the Pistol Purchase Permitting system. They did not listen to facts, reason, or the vast majority of North Carolinians. Shame on them.”
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