Raleigh, N.C. (AP) — Governor Josh Stein, a Democrat, wrapped up his review of the numerous bills sent to him by the North Carolina General Assembly last month, vetoing three of them. This brings his veto count for the current legislative session to 14. One of the vetoes pertains to the ongoing conflict between the governor’s office and the GOP-controlled legislature over gun laws, a topic that Republican lawmakers prioritized upon arriving in Raleigh.
Now that all of Governor Stein’s vetoes have been submitted to the Legislative Building, there is a possibility of override attempts beginning later this month. House Speaker Destin Hall confirmed this possibility on the social media platform X, stating, “We’re keeping score. Overrides coming soon.”
With Republicans just one House seat shy of a veto-proof majority, GOP leaders may need to carefully select which bills to address. Some measures with bipartisan support may have a chance of passing.
One of the vetoed bills aimed to permit certain individuals to carry firearms on private school premises with authorization from the school’s board of trustees or administrative director. These individuals, whether employees or volunteers, would need to possess a concealed handgun permit and complete a training course. Supporters of the bill argued that it would enhance safety at private schools in rural areas with longer police response times.
Governor Stein countered in his veto message that school staff and volunteers cannot replace law enforcement officers, who undergo extensive safety training. He did express approval for a provision in the bill that would increase penalties for threatening or assaulting an elected official, urging the legislature to revise the bill accordingly.
The debate over gun regulations also featured in a previous vetoed bill that would allow adults to carry concealed weapons without a permit. This bill faces challenges as several Republicans opposed it, diminishing the likelihood of a successful override.
In addition to the gun-related veto, Governor Stein vetoed two other bills on Wednesday, both of which garnered some Democratic support and could potentially be overridden. One bill proposes a streamlined process for homeowners and landlords to expel unauthorized occupants from their property, while another bill prohibits public agencies from collecting or disclosing certain personal information about donors to 501(c) nonprofits.
Governor Stein signed nine bills into law on Wednesday, including two comprehensive criminal justice and public safety measures that raise penalties for various offenses.
One initiative aimed at creating new criminal charges, while another was developed to assist active-duty military and veterans by reducing government fees and enhancing their access to higher education. This report includes contributions from Associated Press writer Gary D. Robertson.
