Christian School Protection bill advances as General Assembly nears adjournment | Eastern North Carolina Now

As budget negotiations between House and Senate leaders remain deadlocked, and with lawmakers planning to adjourn next week without a set return date, several significant measures moved forward in the General Assembly. Chief among them was House Bill 193, Return America’s most important legislative priority this session, which advanced after being stalled for weeks. Other critical bills, strengthening parental rights, protecting children from online exploitation, and radical medical practices, also saw forward motion. Meanwhile, legislation regulating hemp-derived intoxicants passed the Senate, which has merit, although Return America remains concerned about the message it sends by legitimizing these products for adult use. All of this is covered in this week’s update.
  
GREAT NEWS: Bill That Would Allow Christian Schools to Protect Themselves Advances with Strong Support from Return America

Return America’s most important legislative priority this session took a major step forward this week. House Bill 193 - Firearm Law Revisions, the companion to Senate Bill 280, had been stalled in the Senate Rules Committee but moved on Thursday and was taken up by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The bill, which seeks to give private and Christian schools the ability to defend themselves in the face of mass shootings, passed with some amendments, none of which undermined the bill’s core mission to empower school leaders to protect their students.

If enacted, HB 193 would permit employees and authorized volunteers at private (non-public) schools to carry firearms or stun guns on campus, provided they hold a concealed carry permit, complete annual advanced firearms training, and receive written authorization from the school. The school must also adopt written safety protocols and inform parents. In addition, the bill permits individuals with concealed carry permits to carry handguns during religious services and sacred ceremonies held on the grounds of religious schools, even during school hours, unless signs prohibit it. The legislation also shields relocated law enforcement shooting ranges from burdensome local restrictions, preserving essential training capacity.

The Senate added language to increase criminal penalties for assaults or threats against state and local elected officials, judges, and election officers, upgrading these offenses to more serious felonies. It further requires that any individual charged with such an offense must have their pretrial release conditions determined by a judge, rather than a magistrate, ensuring closer scrutiny and greater public protection.

Rev. Mark Creech, Director of Government Relations for Return America, offered passionate testimony in support of the measure: “Evil walked through the doors of The Covenant School in Nashville last year - armed, deliberate, and deadly,” Creech reminded the Judiciary Committee. He said that the school shooting was a flashing red light, asking when the same happens at a Christian school in North Carolina, “Who will be there to stop it?” He reminded lawmakers that current law denies even highly trained, licensed individuals the ability to protect students on private school campuses. “You can give school leaders a fighting chance, because evil is real,” he urged. Dr. Ron Baity, Return America’s president, was also encouraged by the bill’s progress, saying, “This is further than we’ve ever gotten before.”

The measure will likely be considered by the Senate Rules Committee early next week. If passed, it will go to the Senate floor for a full vote. Due to its amendments, it will need to return to the House for concurrence, then proceed to the Governor’s desk.

Article copied and pasted from Rev. Mark Creech's newsletter.

Read Rev. Mark Creech’s editorial on HB 193 that appeared in the Greensboro News Record