If you have been following the recent news in North Carolina, you are aware that you no longer need a purchase permit to buy a handgun. Background checks are now done on site at time of purchase. Existing paper permits are no longer valid and people who had permits pending at the local Sheriff’s office will not be getting a refund (sorry). The North Carolina Conceal and Carry Permit is still valid and active and will allow a buyer to purchase handguns and long guns without an additional background check.
This news came on abruptly to both FFLs (Federally licensed firearm dealers) as well as consumers when the NC House and Senate voted to override the Governor’s veto of the Bill which removed the requirement for a purchase permit.
Are you still required to be a North Carolina resident with a valid government issued photo ID and be 21 years of age or older? The answer is YES. The only exception to the residency is for active military stationed in North Carolina.
A Federal Judge has ruled that the Department of Justice’s claim of forbidding users of marijuana from owning firearms is Unconstitutional. Possession of marijuana is now a misdemeanor federally and, in many states, legal both for medical and recreation use. It will be interesting to see if they remove the question on the federal 4473 form to purchase a firearm that asks if the purchaser is an unlawful user of or addicted to marijuana. The form does state that “The use or possession of marijuana remains unlawful under Federal law regardless of whether it has been legalized or decriminalized for medical or recreational purposes in the state where you reside.” How odd, don’t you think?
The judge’s ruling comes after a long list of challenges over the scrutiny of gun restrictions posed by the Department of Justice.
Recently it was determined that the ATF overstepped their authority by banning the “bumpfire” designed rifle stocks after approving them for years. The ATF does not make laws or rules. Not learning their lesson, the ATF has now banned pistol braces for AR style pistols. This controversy has led to a pile of lawsuits across the country.
Just for fun, on the latest version of form 4473 to purchase a firearm, a question must be answered by the purchaser. The question reads:
“Do you intend to purchase or acquire any firearm listed on this form and any continuation sheet(s) or ammunition, for sale or other disposition to any person described in questions 21(c-m), or to a person described in question 21 who does not fall within a nonimmigrant alien exception?”
I feel like I’m reading a Chinese menu that has been translated into stereo instructions and translated back again. The real interesting part is unlike all the other questions on the form, this one does not have instructions. Hmmmm. Maybe it is time that the entire system gets an overhaul.
On a different note, a 12-year old girl and her 14-year-old friend decided to borrow her father’s car and travel 600 miles to meet up with a person they met online.
The girls were both reported missing in Florida where their adventure originated. A multistate task force located the girls 400 miles from home, both safe. Questions still need to be answered, including who they were meeting. My main question is this, did she follow all the rules and drive safely? If so, go ahead and give that kid her driver’s license.
Remember knowledge is power, questioning things that are outdated or no longer relevant is important, and knowing that a 12-year-old drove 400 miles without incident is rather impressive.