Last night the Blowing Rock Town Council by a 3 to 2 vote passed an ordinance prohibiting loaded, concealed guns on town playgrounds and athletic fields.
This month, a new state law allows local governments to permit handguns in parks and playgrounds. It's part of sweeping legislation passed this summer that makes it easier for people to obtain weapons and to carry them in more public places.
But town councils and county commissioners across the state are opting out of a section of the law that allows guns in recreational areas, such as swimming pools and athletic fields.
January 8 is the one-year anniversary of the Tucson Massacre, which claimed the lives of six Americans and wounded 13 others. And yet we continue to lose eighty-six Americans to gun violence every single day. That includes today. That's more than 31,000 people each year.
As an NCGV member you know gun violence is preventable, we can save lives. On January 8, 2012 at 6pm we are joining people who believe the same thing in 33 cities across the country. We will host a vigil to remember all of those who have been hurt by and lost to gun violence.
Durham Herald Letter to the Editor by Board Member Sandy Ogburn
Smoking banned in parks where guns are welcome?
Durham city and county leaders, urged by the Health Department, are contemplating expansion of the ban on smoking in public areas. This is being done for public safety since all of us are at increased risk of the deleterious health effects from second hand smoke. This is good.
Interview with WRAL on repercussions of House Bill 650 and NCGV's campaign to keep guns off city playgrounds and athletic fields.
NCGV's campaign to keep loaded, hidden guns out of city recreational facilities is off to a great start. More than ten cities have already passed ordinances to prohibit concealed firearms in city playgrounds, swimming pools, and athletic fields. Last week before the Thanksgiving holiday three more cities joined their ranks: Garner, Winston-Salem and Asheville.
This past summer, our state government passed legislation making it legal for people to bring hidden, loaded guns into local parks. Imagine taking in the view from a historic coastal lighthouse with patrons who have the explicit right to carry a loaded handgun. Even worse, imagine loaded handguns on public playgrounds in your neighborhood.
NCGV will hold a Fall Reception the evening of Thursday, November 17 at the Busy Bee Café in Raleigh, NC.
This event will be held to help prevent adolescent suicide in North Carolina. All proceeds will support our recently launched Minutes Matter program.
Through our Minutes Matter program NCGV is able to distribute gun safety locks and information to families across the state. The majority of adolescent suicide attempts involve a firearm, through this program we have the potential to save our state's youth.
Posted from Charlotte Observer, 9/27/1
Someone should put up huge billboards across the state with the image of doe-eyed little Katterine Palma. The signs should serve as in-your-face reminders of what can be lost when adults are careless with firearms. Sweet-faced, 4-year-old Katterine is dead, killed by another child who found a loaded gun an adult left unlocked in a bedroom.
The week of October 16-22, 2011 is National Safe Schools Week (NSSW). According to the Centers for Disease Control, over 1 million students across America take a weapon to school each month, and over 1.3 million students are injured or threatened with a weapon each year.
National Safe Schools Week provides an opportunity to empower students to keep their schools safe by encouraging them to speak up against school violence.
NCGV has been collecting postcards from concerned citizens across the state. We'll mail these postcards to your elected officials to let them know North Carolinians do NOT support loaded, concealed guns in bars and parks.
To fill out a postcard electronically visit our Take Action page and fill in your name and zip code.
Thank you for building a safer North Carolina.
