RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed gun rights legislation Friday that would repeal the state’s permit requirement for buying handguns, which Republicans argue is outdated and an unnecessary infringement on Second Amendment rights, but which most Democrats vehemently oppose ending.
The bill Cooper blocked passed the GOP-controlled Legislature as a package of gun rights measures. In addition to the permit repeal, Senate Bill 41 would also allow people to carry concealed handguns to places of worship that also serve as schools, or have attached schools, in order to help worshippers protect themselves during religious services that take place outside school operating hours.
SB 41 would also launch a two-year statewide awareness campaign to promote safe gun storage.
