From wire service reports:
Gun-rights advocates claim two victories in House
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Gun-rights advocates claimed two victories in the state House on Wednesday night, killing legislation to expand a safe storage law and passing a bill to prevent municipalities from suing gun manufacturers.
In both cases, the votes were overwhelming.
"I think a lot of the (legislators) get tired of all the controversy," said Nicole Palya, a lobbyist for the National Rifle Association. "I think that they see that the safe storage law already on the books is adequate."
Gun control advocates said the votes show North Carolina lawmakers care more about gun makers than the safety of children.
"It's a sad commentary when policy-makers put the protection of guns before the protection of our children," said Paula Wolf, a lobbyist for the Covenant with North Carolina's Children.
The bill that was defeated, sponsored by Rep. Jennifer Weiss, D-Wake, would have expanded the state's safe gun storage law to include the homes of all gun owners.
North Carolina already requires safe storage of guns in homes where children live. The proposal was an attempt to keep guns out of the hands of children while they are visiting other people's homes.
The bill would have required gun owners to store handguns, rifles and shotguns with trigger locks in gun cases or other compartments or by storing them unloaded away from ammunition.
Weiss, though, pointed out that it would not prevent someone from keeping a gun within reach while they slept at night, provided they stored it safely once they left the home for work.
"I would not bring a 'Rapist Protection Act' before this body," she said, a reference the label some gun-rights advocates put on the bill.
But Rep. Wayne Sexton, R-Rockingham, said the legislation would force gun owners to "lock them up in the attic."
The bill was defeated 33-83.
Sexton was the sponsor of the other gun legislation considered by the House. That bill, approved in a 101-16 vote, blocks class-action lawsuits brought by cities and counties.
The bill would give only the state of North Carolina the authority to bring lawsuits against gun manufacturers relating to the lawful design, marketing, manufacture, distribution, sale or transfer of firearms or ammunition.
Several U.S. cities have sued gun makers, claiming their marketing techniques have increased gun violence. All the lawsuits have been unsuccessful.
Durham officials had discussed filing a similar lawsuit but eventually dropped the idea.
Sexton said the lawsuits attack manufacturers for making a legal product.
"We don't need to be circumventing the Legislature and letting the courts do our lawmaking for us," he said.
But Rep. Paul Luebke, D-Durham, said he was taking away a valid right of local governments.
"Toys are better regulated in this country than handguns," Luebke said.
Gun-rights advocates claim two victories in House
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Gun-rights advocates claimed two victories in the state House on Wednesday night, killing legislation to expand a safe storage law and passing a bill to prevent municipalities from suing gun manufacturers.
In both cases, the votes were overwhelming.
"I think a lot of the (legislators) get tired of all the controversy," said Nicole Palya, a lobbyist for the National Rifle Association. "I think that they see that the safe storage law already on the books is adequate."
Gun control advocates said the votes show North Carolina lawmakers care more about gun makers than the safety of children.
"It's a sad commentary when policy-makers put the protection of guns before the protection of our children," said Paula Wolf, a lobbyist for the Covenant with North Carolina's Children.
The bill that was defeated, sponsored by Rep. Jennifer Weiss, D-Wake, would have expanded the state's safe gun storage law to include the homes of all gun owners.
North Carolina already requires safe storage of guns in homes where children live. The proposal was an attempt to keep guns out of the hands of children while they are visiting other people's homes.
The bill would have required gun owners to store handguns, rifles and shotguns with trigger locks in gun cases or other compartments or by storing them unloaded away from ammunition.
Weiss, though, pointed out that it would not prevent someone from keeping a gun within reach while they slept at night, provided they stored it safely once they left the home for work.
"I would not bring a 'Rapist Protection Act' before this body," she said, a reference the label some gun-rights advocates put on the bill.
But Rep. Wayne Sexton, R-Rockingham, said the legislation would force gun owners to "lock them up in the attic."
The bill was defeated 33-83.
Sexton was the sponsor of the other gun legislation considered by the House. That bill, approved in a 101-16 vote, blocks class-action lawsuits brought by cities and counties.
The bill would give only the state of North Carolina the authority to bring lawsuits against gun manufacturers relating to the lawful design, marketing, manufacture, distribution, sale or transfer of firearms or ammunition.
Several U.S. cities have sued gun makers, claiming their marketing techniques have increased gun violence. All the lawsuits have been unsuccessful.
Durham officials had discussed filing a similar lawsuit but eventually dropped the idea.
Sexton said the lawsuits attack manufacturers for making a legal product.
"We don't need to be circumventing the Legislature and letting the courts do our lawmaking for us," he said.
But Rep. Paul Luebke, D-Durham, said he was taking away a valid right of local governments.
"Toys are better regulated in this country than handguns," Luebke said.