Senate might revive gun show permit bill

Josey1

Senate might revive gun show permit billBy Paul WoolvertonRaleigh bureauRALEIGH -- Gun collectors and dealers are watching carefully to see if the state Senate will try to revive a proposal to make gun show promoters apply for a permit at least two months in advance of a show.Currently, they don't need a permit, and the state Sheriff's Association wants to change that."We just feel it gives us better control of firearms," said Cumberland County Sheriff Moose Butler, president of the Sheriff's Association. "It keeps us in the know, and in the loop who's being represented at these gun shows. We're not trying to suppress anybody."The permit would cost $100. The local sheriff's office would then have to check the criminal background of the promoter and could reject the application if the promoter could not legally buy, sell or have a handgun or if the office determined that he was not of "good moral character."OppositionGun rights group Grass Roots North Carolina says the legislation is a bad idea and was pleased that the state House took out the permitting requirement.The group also likes that the House added a requirement that North Carolina recognize the concealed weapon permits issued by other states.The leaders of the Senate, Majority Leader Tony Rand of Fayetteville and President Pro Tem Marc Basnight of Dare County, wouldn't say for sure that the Senate will try to put the permitting requirement back in."I liked what passed out of the Senate, obviously that's what the Senate passed, but you have to reach compromises, and it might be something that we do, and we might not," Basnight said."Last I knew, they felt pretty strongly about that, but we're just going to see where we are," Rand said.Basnight said the Senate passed a balanced measure with something for both sides -- in addition to requiring the permits, the proposed law blocks city and county governments from filing lawsuits against the gun industry like the suits that have been filed against the tobacco industry.The House version keeps that provision.The way the process works, if the Senate votes to reject the House version, the two bodies are to appoint a committee of House members and senators to negotiate a compromise.If either the House or Senate then rejects the compromise, the matter is dead. If they approve it and the governor signs it, the bill becomes law.The state doesn't need anything in the gun bill, except for the concealed weapon reciprocity provision, said Charles French of Fayetteville, who is a volunteer for Grass Roots North Carolina.Most of the things the Senate wanted are already covered under existing laws, French said.And he sees the show permit requirements as unfair. "Why target one particular industry?"Loophole `not there'No other kind of shows displaying other products need permits, he said. He disagrees with arguments that the law would make it harder for criminals to get guns."All these things that they're saying, they're being done. The gun show loophole is not there." Sales of guns at gun shows are subject to background checks just as they are through normal gun shops, French said.French suspects the law is part of a larger effort by anti-gun groups to put gun shows out of business.The legislature is still meeting, but the gun show permit issue may not be resolved this year. The lawmakers are trying to finish their work and go home after nine months of meeting, about three months longer than usual. All that's left to be done is wrapping up legislative and congressional redistricting."We're not actively working on anything and we doubt that we will," Basnight said of the Senate's plans. "And it might be something that we take up and it might be something that will not move. We're not sure. But that will apply to any bill at this time."Staff writer Paul Woolverton can be reached at (919) 828-7641 or woolvertonp@fayettevillenc.com http://www.fayettevillenc.com/obj_stories/2001/oct/n28legx.shtml

jazz

They'll try anything to part us from our firearms. I believe these inept politicalimbeciles are just scared sh*t-less of usAmerican gun owners to pass unjust lawsagainst us. What congress needs is to betotally recalled from office. Senators thatare willing to bend or break our Bill ofRights are certainly not worthy of any seatin congress.