Omnibus gun bill passes Senate

The measure would allow concealed handgun permit holders to bring their weapons more places and hides records of permit holders from public view. The bill now returns to the House.

Posted 6:25 p.m. Jun 13, 2013 — Updated 6:30 p.m. Jun 13, 2013

Mark Binker

RALEIGH, N.C. — The state Senate has voted a second time to approve a bill that makes dozens of changes to the state's firearms laws.

House Bill 937 increases the penalties for some gun-related crimes, including upgrading the offenses for concealed handgun permit holders who drink and carry a weapon.

But Sen. Buck Newton, R-Wilson, said on the floor of the Senate Wednesday that the most important provision is to extend Second Amendment rights for law-abiding citizens.

The biggest change in the bill, which is opposed by the North Carolina Sheriffs' Association and Attorney General Roy Cooper, does away with the requirement that residents who do not have a concealed handgun permit get permission from their local sheriff before buying a handgun.

There was little debate Thursday. The measure now returns to the House, which will have the option of accepting the Senate changes or sending the bill to a conference committee.

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