State senators debated a bill in committee on Wednesday that would allow people in North Carolina to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. During a committee meeting at the General Assembly, Sen. Ralph Hise, a Republican from western North Carolina, said the government shouldn’t require people to get additional permission before exercising their rights.
Other senators challenged his view, in an exchange between Hise and his colleagues, Sen. Danny Britt, a fellow Republican, and Julie Mayfield, a Democrat.
"Can you name any other constitutional right in which we would require government education before you could exercise your right?" Hise said.
"I know of none, including voting," said Britt.
"We require women to go through all sorts of education to seek a legal safe abortion in this state," replied Mayfield.
The Freedom to Carry Act seems likely to pass the Senate, as it has the support of Senate leader Phil Berger and other key Republicans. The bill passed out of committee and heads to the full Senate next.