Sheriff Association supports abolishing handgun purchase permits | Eastern NC Now

The N.C. Sheriffs Association is calling for the state to end the pistol permit system that arbitrarily regulates the ability for citizens to purchase handguns in the state and empowers and requires the sheriff to approve or deny applications for purchase permits.

The association made the proposal Tuesday, after years of opposing such reforms supported by gun rights advocates, and legislation is already moving to repeal the system.

The Sheriffs Association now views the permit system as redundant and burdensome, being that background checks at the point of purchase are now advanced and comprehensive.

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“Now that those records are uploaded, the [National Instant Criminal Background] check and the pistol permit are duplicative,” said Executive Vice President and General Counsel Eddie Caldwell. “The issue is: Does the pistol purchase permit provide any significant public safety? It did at one time but not now with the [background check] improvements.”

The bill has already gained initial approval, and comes up again in the N.C. House next week.  Follow its progress here.