GOP-controlled legislature completes override of governor veto of pistol permit bill

The Republican-controlled General Assembly accomplished Wednesday its first successful override of Democrat Gov. Roy Cooper veto since 2018.

The N.C. House voted 71-46 to override Cooper’s veto of Senate Bill 41, titled “Guarantee 2nd Amend Freedom and Protections.”

According to Cooper’s veto statement Friday, SB41 eliminates the current requirement that people have a valid permit from their local sheriff’s office before purchasing or acquiring a handgun.

Sheriffs will lose the authority to issue or deny these permits based on criminal background checks and determining the safety and character of applicants.