Gov. Cooper wants updated gun laws, we ask local lawmakers if that will happen

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) –  Students across the country walked out of class demanding safety in their classrooms and tougher gun laws. North Carolina’s governor spoke out requesting lawmakers take action.

When private companies raised their age limits to sell assault type weapons, we heard mixed reviews. Lawmakers that returned our calls sounded open to talking about it and other changes the Governor laid out.

Governor Roy Cooper laid out a series of plans to change state gun laws in the wake of the Florida school shooting. Also as the state of Florida enacting new laws.

Cooper announced these changes on the day of the national walkout. In them he wants state law to change in order to:

• Increase age limits to 21 for purchasing assault weapons
• Increase Medicaid funding for mental illness.
• Banning bump stocks if the federal government does not.
• Strengthening the background check system.
• Requiring a permitting process for assault weapons like the one in place for handguns

“As far as the background checks, if there is a loophole with background checks we need to tighten that up,” said New Hanover county state house representative Holly Grange (R).

WWAY’s Andrew James reached out to half a dozen local lawmakers to see if they think the Governor’s words could turn into law. Representatives Grange, Frank Iler and Deb Butler responded.

Rep. Butler (D) saying she believes that:

“It’s time for well-intentioned Americans to come together to protect our children. Gun ownership and sensible regulation can co-exist. Governor Cooper’s plan should not threaten nor offend legal, responsible gun owners. Let’s acknowledge that military style weapons should reside in the hands of the military. Let’s strengthen background checks, and expand Medicaid so that mental health care is readily available. Our children are begging us to lead. Let’s do so.”

Rep. Iler (R), who sits on the Hose Select Committee for School Safety, would not comment directly to the plan, but admited it will not be easy.

“It’s more complicated than it sounds,” Iler said. “I hate that people are progressing onto things and it’s grandstanding, but I hope we can do something positive and get guns in the hands of responsible people and out of the hands of irresponsible and mentally ill people, that’s the key.”

Lawmakers like Grange who will meet the next week to talk school safety in Raleigh do think all options should be put up to debate.

“We need to look at all of the, it’s multifaceted we need to look at everything,” Rep. Grange said.

Representative Ted Davis was in Raleigh and could not comment. House Speaker Tim Moore, Senate President Berger’s offices, and local senators Mike Lee and Bill Rabon did not return our request for comment.

The house select committee on school safety will meet March 21st.