In the North Carolina House of Representatives, Republicans advanced House Bill 50 to eliminate North Carolina’s pistol permitting process and weaken the background check process. At a time when gun violence is at all-time highs, we need to move forward in strengthening background checks — not backwards.

Republicans also rejected an amendment to fix North Carolina’s “domestic violence gun loophole.” Courts have ruled that North Carolina’s current law on assault is insufficient to make an abuser convicted under these laws ineligible to purchase firearms under federal law. This means a person convicted of misdemeanor assault against their spouse or partner in North Carolina can still purchase firearms, unlike in other states.

“Convicted domestic abusers should not be allowed to purchase firearms,” said North Carolina House Democratic Leader Robert Reives. “It is way past time for North Carolina to close this dangerous loophole. Just days after a legislative committee voted unanimously to close the loophole, Republicans refused to do so today. They had the opportunity to do the right thing, but instead bowed to pressure from far-right groups.”

House Bill 50 will now go to the State Senate for its consideration.