Jul 2

Jul 2 Governor Cooper vetoes 2nd Amendment Protection Act

Governor Cooper denies church members right to protection with veto

Raleigh, N.C. – Most North Carolina churches can choose to allow handguns on their private property today. Due to a loophole in the law, churches who also operate private schools get lumped into the definition of a “school” even on weekends, and they lose that right. House Bill 652 applied to non public schools only and provided a technical correction clarifying that a church caught in this situation could allow handguns on their property during non school hours, if they chose to do so. Governor Cooper vetoed this legislation on July 2nd.

NC House Majority Leader Rep. John Bell (Greene, Johnston and Wayne) stated, “Unfortunately, the glitch in existing law places some worshippers in unnecessary danger. We have witnessed horrifying church shootings around the country, and members of our faith community have asked us to provide them with equal protection under the law. Governor Cooper has decided these private organizations do not have the right to protect human lives on their private property. This bill was for non public schools only.”

In his veto message, Governor Cooper stated “This bill allows guns on school property, which threatens the safety of students and teachers.”

Rep. Bell continued, “This veto is indefensible. A private church board should make their own decision about how to protect their church and their members. How can the Governor tell me that a pastor should not be able to defend church members on Sunday because a private school will operate in a different part of the building on Monday? We need more ordinary people with common sense serving in Government. We get decisions like these when politics always come before people. Senator Perry and I have been working with the North Carolina Christian School Association and several of our local pastors to address this issue. We are deeply disappointed with the Governor’s decision. He needs to stop playing politics with people’s lives.”

Sen. Jim Perry (Lenoir, Wayne) stated, “This bill passed the House and the Senate with bipartisan, veto proof majorities. It requires zero courage to vote in favor of something, then cower in the corner if the Governor disagrees with you. We will see if those House and Senate Members have the courage of their convictions. If elected officials abdicate their votes to the Executive Branch, we no longer have separate branches in Government.”