Things Have Changed in Our Laws!

I'm sure you already know that a good amount of laws changed in NC recently regarding our gun rights. And they changed for the better. Well, they took effect today (12/1/2011), and here are some references for you to research the new laws:

Here is the updated version on Handgunlaw.us ...http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/northcarolina.pdf

Here is the NC General Assembly document ...http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/2011/Bills/House/PDF/H650v6.pdf

Here is the NC Sheriffs' Association document ...http://www.ncsheriffs.org/NCSA.FLR.%202011%20REVISED.pdf 
( House Bill 650 Starts on page 21 and goes to page 24 )

The changes, summarized by the N.C. Sheriff’s Association, include:

• people with concealed carry permits aren’t violating state law by carrying a deadly weapon onto state property if the weapon is a firearm, the person has a concealed carry permit and the firearm is locked in a compartment of a locked vehicle.

• to violate state law, a person must “knowingly” possess or carry a firearm (open or concealed) on school property or at a school-sponsored event, and a minor must “willfully and intentionally” possess a firearm;

• a person with a concealed carry permit may carry a concealed handgun on the grounds or waters of state parks;

• failing to carry the concealed carry permit or to notify a law enforcement officer of the concealed weapon in violation of state law is an infraction for the first and all subsequent offenses. A second offense was a Class 2 misdemeanor until this amendment;

• a sheriff must either issue or deny a gun permit within 45 days (was, 90 days) but the 45-day time restriction only applies if all records have been received including mental health records;

• people can purchase a gun in another state as long as they undergo a background check for that state, including an inquiry of the National Instant Background Check System;

• a local government may adopt an ordinance to permit the posting of a prohibition against carrying a concealed handgun, in accordance with state law on local government buildings and their appurtenant premises;

• a local government may adopt an ordinance to prohibit, by posting, the carrying of a concealed handgun on municipal and county recreational facilities that are specifically identified by the local government. If a local government adopts such an ordinance with regard to recreational facilities, then the concealed handgun permittee may, nevertheless, secure the handgun in a locked vehicle within the trunk, glove box, or other enclosed compartment or area within or on the motor vehicle. For purposes of this section, the term “recreational facilities” includes only the following: a playground, an athletic field, a swimming pool, and an athletic facility;

• all concealed weapon permits issued by another state are valid in North Carolina.

Reference: http://www.journalpatriot.com/news/article_0767ca1a-19f1-11e1-98c2-001a4bcf6878.html