On Thursday, February 16, the North Carolina House of Representatives voted on the bill, “Guarantee 2nd Amend Freedom and Protections,” which will expand the ability of citizens to defend themselves and their loved ones while attending religious worship.

  The current law states that firearms are prohibited on the grounds of schools, including both public and private schools, community colleges, and universities. The Guarantee 2nd Amend Freedom and Protections bill would allow an individual with a concealed handgun permit to carry a handgun in a place of religious worship that also serves as a school.  

  There are still some requirements that must be met in order for said individual to be able to carry a weapon in a place of religious worship on school grounds. One key example of this is explained by Ryan Roberts, North Carolina staff attorney, who states: “The handgun is only possessed and carried on the property outside of the school operating hours. School operating hours are defined as any time a curricular or extracurricular activity takes place on the premises, any time when the premises are used for educational, instructional, or school sponsored activities, and any time the premises are being used for programs for minors by entities not affiliated with the religious institution.” However, institutions can still ban guns by posting signs forbidding weapons on the premises.

  While giving citizens the opportunity to carry a firearm on school property may seem like a questionable idea, Grass Roots N.C. said in a statement, “The provision to allow concealed carry in churches which sponsor schools is widely supported by pastors, several of which testified in favor of the legislation to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Under current law, otherwise lawful concealed carry becomes a Class I felony if the church sponsors a school.”

  Democratic Senator Graig Meyer was strongly opposed to the bill and voted against its passing. He states, “Your life is at risk. In the midst of our ongoing gun violence crisis, the NCGOP is pushing through a bill that makes it easier to buy a gun. Senate Dems offered amendments to enhance gun safety, but the GOP unanimously denied each one.”

  The bill passed the North Carolina Senate with a veto-proof majority, and the House is scheduled to make amendments to the bill later in the month.