RALEIGH — Republican lawmakers in North Carolina advanced legislation Tuesday to remove the requirement that anyone who wants to carry a concealed handgun must get a permit from the local sheriff’s office, The Associated Press reported
[ PAST COVERAGE: Permit requirement to buy pistol scrapped in North Carolina ]
The measure cleared two House committees since Tuesday, but House Speaker Tim Moore referred the bill back to one of those panels Wednesday evening, the AP reported.
However, the bill was halted the day after.
The North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association is against the measure saying it is necessary to vet people to help deputies know who could have a firearm, The AP reported.
The measure still must clear another committee before reaching the House floor.
A sheriff’s office must currently issue a five-year permit to an applicant under some qualifications, which include the completion of a training course, not having felony convictions or other specific crimes and must be mentally and physically capable of handling a weapon safely.
Sheriffs have 45 days after receiving an applicant’s mental health records to issue or deny a permit.
In March, North Carolina got rid of the state’s requirement that someone must get a permit from a local sheriff before buying a pistol.
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