Second Amendment Coverage

Fact check: Tillis says bill would impose 1,000% tax on 'most firearms'

Democrats proposed "a 1000% gun tax on most firearms," according to an email from the Thom Tillis Committee.

Paul Specht, PolitiFact reporter

GOP-backed NC bill seeks to scrap concealed-carry rules for guns

The Constitutional Carry Act would enable anyone who can legally possess a firearm to also carry it concealed, in public, without needing to pass the test that the state currently requires.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Fact check: Do '60% of counties' refuse to enforce gun laws?

During an appearance on CNN, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said "60 percent of counties in this country are refusing to implement the nation's gun laws." PolitiFact checks his claim.

Yacob Reyes and Amy Sherman, PolitiFact reporters

Task force examines increased gun deaths among children

There were 116 children who died in 2021 from gunshot wounds, which included homicide, suicide and unintentional shootings.

NC child safety leaders to advocate for safe gun storage in 2023

There were 116 children who died in 2021 from gunshot wounds, which included homicide, suicide and unintentional shootings.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

Fact check: Are age restrictions on assault rifle purchases 'unconstitutional?'

Uvalde community members have called on officials to raise the minimum age from 18 to 21 to purchase semi-automatic rifles. While campaigning for re-election on Aug. 31, Gov. Greg Abbott said the law they're seeking "has already been ruled to be unconstitutional."

Nusaiba Mizan, PolitiFact reporter

New federal funding unlikely to improve prospects of red flag law in North Carolina

WRAL News found Republican legislative leaders in North Carolina don't seem to be swayed by the prospect of new federal money. They say it would infringe on people's Second Amendment rights.

New federal fund unlikely to improve prospects of red flag law in NC

A federal gun control bill signed into law last week includes $750 million to help states pay for red-flag or extreme-risk programs. But Republican legislative leaders in North Carolina don't seem to be swayed by the prospect of new federal money.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

US Supreme Court strikes down New York handgun law

On Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a New York state law that had restricted who could obtain a permit to carry a gun in public.

Editorial: Pistol purchase permit repeal endangers lives, Cooper needs to veto it

Friday, Aug. 20, 2021 -- This legislation doesn't address a problem with a remedy to improve North Carolina but presents a very real threat to the safety and lives of people who need protection. If North Carolina's legislators can't put the well-being of citizens first, Gov. Cooper must with his veto.

Repeal of NC pistol permit law heads to governor's desk

State senators voted Wednesday to repeal the state's pistol purchase permit requirement. The bill now goes to the desk of Gov. Roy Cooper.

Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau chief

Fact check: Biden says Second Amendment limits gun rights

President Biden said "The Second Amendment, from the day it was passed, limited the type of people who could own a gun and what type of weapon you could own." PolitiFact checks his claim.

Jon Greenberg, PolitiFact reporter

Fayetteville gun shop says gun, ammo sales have surged - especially among women

Jim's Gun Jobbery, a gun and ammo shop in Fayetteville, said they've seen gun and ammo sales surge ahead of the election. While Walmart removed guns from their shelves temporarily, Jim Gun's Jobbery said they will keep theirs on the shelves.

Gilbert Baez, WRAL Fayetteville reporter

Gun, ammo sales surge ahead of election - especially among women

A local gun store in Fayetteville shared their plans for the upcoming election day - and whether or not they had any concerns for political unrest or protests.

Line forms outside gun permit office in downtown Raleigh

Wake County Sheriff Gerald Baker will address concerns about his staff possibly being exposed to COVID-19 while handing out gun permits during the coronavirus pandemic.

Maggie Brown, WRAL multiplatform producer

Fact check: Biden falsely says people couldn't own cannons during Revolutionary War

Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, recently sat for a video with Wired, part of the magazine's series of interviews in which celebrities answer the most searched-for questions about themselves on the internet. And he mad a dubious claim about the ownership of cannons during the Revolutionary War.

Louis Jacobson, PolitiFact reporter

Fact check: Can you carry a concealed weapon and wear a face mask?

A viral Facebook post says that a North Carolina state law forbids people from wearing a face mask while carrying a concealed weapon. PolitiFact found that claim to be inaccurate.

Paul Specht, PolitiFact reporter

Protesters gather again in downtown Raleigh

Another round of protests were held Saturday in downtown Raleigh in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Armed demonstrators rally in downtown Raleigh during pandemic

For the third Saturday in a row, armed demonstrators have rallied downtown Raleigh to protest their second amendment rights.

BECKY CEARTAS & SHERRY HONEYCUTT EVERETT: '2nd Amendment Sanctuaries' jeopardize public safety

Sunday, March 1, 2020 -- Deeming themselves "2nd Amendment Sanctuaries," local governments in N.C. are passing resolutions declaring or implying that state gun safety laws do not apply in their communities. Some going as far as refusing to enforce and dedicate tax-funded resources to the implementation of state gun safety measures. These resolutions jeopardize public safety by interfering with the implementation of life-saving laws. To date, at least 65 counties in N.C. have passed 2nd Amendment Sanctuary resolutions.

At odds over gun laws, some communities become Second Amendment sanctuaries

The fight over gun rights has taken a new form in the last year -- Second Amendment sanctuaries. Hundreds of governments in 20 states say they will provide sanctuary for supporters of gun rights if needed. There are eight North Carolina counties on that list. In Virginia, even it's an even bigger deal where it's expected to be the centerpiece of a rally on Monday.

Empty holster at gun rights rally

A man wearing an empty holster at an Orange County gun rights rally.

Gun-rights supporters rally in Orange County

Under the threat of rain, dozens of people gathered Saturday morning in Orange County to express their support for the Second Amendment and their right to carry guns.

Alfred Charles, Online Managing Editor

Gun rights rallies mark June 2nd for 2nd Amendment

Pro-gun-rights rallies called "June 2nd for the 2nd Amendment" were scheduled today across the nation, including in Austin, Texas.

Pro-gun student: 'Gun control is not the right way to secure our schools'

Gun rallies took place across the country Saturday, including one in downtown Raleigh.

Candace Sweat, WRAL reporter