Following this past weekend's deadly mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper is pressing lawmakers to pass a so-called “red flag” bill.
The legislation, filed in March, would authorize family members and law enforcement to petition a court to restrict an individual’s access to firearms if there is evidence that person poses a danger to themselves or others.
President Trump on Monday said he backs such legislation. Speaking at the White House, the president called for laws ensuring people "judged a grave risk to public safety do not have access to firearms" and said "mental illness and hatred pulls the trigger, not the gun."
Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said Monday that he'd propose legislation aimed at getting more states to adopt "red flag" laws.
Cooper is also urging state lawmakers to pass a bill filed in February called the Gun Violence Protection Act. It would prohibit the sale of "assault weapons" to anyone under 21 and ban "large-capacity magazines." The measure would also require a permit for all gun purchases and a three-day waiting period. Both bills are in the state House Judiciary Committee.
WRAL reports Republican leaders Monday indicated they likely would not consider either bill. House Democrats on Monday signed a petition urging that bills be taken up. Democrats also planned to discuss the bills during a press conference later Tuesday.
