S310 is being sold in Raleigh as a broad criminal-law package.
But buried inside Section 1 is dangerous firearm-discharge language that should alarm every gun owner in North Carolina.
As written, S310 creates a new Class E felony for discharging a firearm on another person’s property without permission, on a public street or highway, or at any public place where another person is present.
That may sound like it only targets reckless criminals.
But without clear protections for lawful self-defense, lawful hunting, lawful target shooting, shooting ranges, and other lawful firearm use, this bill could become a felony trap for otherwise law-abiding gun owners.
If a concealed carrier is attacked in a parking lot, outside a business, on a roadside, at a gas station, or in another public place, and he fires to stop the threat, the law should be crystal clear that he is not committing a felony by defending his life.
But S310 does not clearly say that.
No gun owner should have to survive a violent attack, only to spend months or years hoping a prosecutor does not twist vague firearm-discharge language against him.
And for a gun owner, a felony conviction is not just another criminal penalty.
It can mean the loss of your Second Amendment rights.
That is why North Carolina Firearms Coalition is opposing S310 unless it is amended to protect lawful gun owners.
To be clear, criminals who recklessly endanger innocent people should be punished.
But Raleigh politicians should not create broad new firearm-related felonies that can be used against gun owners who are acting lawfully.
The bill must be amended to make clear that it does not apply to lawful self-defense, defense of others, lawful hunting, lawful target shooting, shooting ranges, or any other lawful firearm activity.
If politicians refuse to add those protections, then they should vote NO.
North Carolina gun owners need to flood Raleigh with messages right away.
Please use the form on this page to contact your legislators and tell them to oppose S310 unless Section 1 is fixed.
After you send your message, please consider making a contribution to North Carolina Firearms Coalition so we can keep fighting back against threats to your gun rights in Raleigh and across North Carolina.