NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: [SARA SMITH, BECKY CEARTAS]

04/30/2021 [DATE] Statewide Community Organizer
(919)403-7665
ncgv@ncgv.org

Permitless Carry
Permitless carry is wrong for North Carolina

DURHAM, North Carolina - The gun lobby has launched a campaign to erode state gun laws by eradicating the prerequisite
that an individual obtains a license or permit before carrying concealed loaded guns in public. The repeal bill has been filed
this year in the North Carolina General Assembly.

Residents of North Carolina will be allowed to carry without having to meet any common-sense requirements, such as
receiving weapon safety training and education from a licensed facilitator if the bill passes.

North Carolinians Against Gun Violence acknowledges that proposed measures for permitless carry will abrogate North
Carolina's current law that requires carry license applicants to meet minimum burden requirements. These requirements
include but are not limited to: being a United States citizen or being a legally admitted permanent resident over 21 years of
age who is not subject to physical or mental impairment that inhibits the safe handling of a handgun and instantly passes a
criminal background check. Completion of approved firearms safety training courses in the actual firing of handguns, as
well as instruction in state laws governing concealed carry and the use of deadly force, are also required.

Permitless carry states are statistically more unsafe in comparison to states with adopted common-sense gun laws, including
firearm carry permits. The state of Arizona saw a 44 percent increase in aggravated assaults committed with a firearm after
enacting permit-less carry in 2010. In 2016, there were 1,519 more gun-related aggravated assaults than in 2010. After
Missouri passed a permitless carry law in January 2017, aggravated assaults with a firearm increased by 23 percent in the
state's largest city, St. Louis. In 2017, there were 484 more gun-related aggravated assaults than in 2016.

North Carolinians and law officials alike oppose permitless carry. According to a 2017 poll, 89 percent of North Carolina
voters believed that having a permit to carry a concealed weapon in public is a sensible move. The North Carolina
Association of Police Chiefs and the North Carolina Sheriffs Association have also spoken out against the repeal of permit
requirements in North Carolina.

Defying North Carolinians' and law enforcement officials' wishes at the expense of public safety is a step backward for
North Carolina lawmakers and we ask that they oppose permitless carry for the safety of our community.