North Carolina - Help Clean Up SB 919

Senate Bill 919, a domestic violence bill, is scheduled to be heard in the House Judiciary IV Committee. This well-intentioned legislation is designed to protect potential victims of domestic violence from individuals who have been shown to present a possible threat to their safety. In its current form, however, SB 919 is far too broadly worded, and will give judges the power to arbitrarily demand gun owners subject to certain court orders turn over their firearms to sheriffs—even in cases where there is no proven history of violent behavior or even threats of violence. SB 919 must be amended to avoid the possibility of it being abused by anti-gun judges who wish to promote the disarmament of gun owners.

Please call House Judiciary IV Committee Chair Rep. Don Munford (R-34), and urge him to allow amendments, or allow a committee substitute, to clean up this legislation. Explain to him that protecting victims of domestic violence is certainly important, but SB 919, in its current form, opens the door for potential abuse by anti-gun judges. Please call Rep. Munford at (919) 821-6689, which is his main district office number, and at (919) 733-5809, which is his legislative office.

In addition, please call key members of the House Judiciary IV Committee, and urge them to support efforts to clean up SB 919. Tell them that protecting victims of domestic violence from legitimate threats is a worthy goal, but this legislation has flaws that could lead to unintended consequences, and they need to be corrected. The following list includes the key members to contact, along with their legislative and district, where applicable, office numbers:

Rep. Bonner Stiller (R-17),
Judiciary IV Committee Vice Chair
(919) 733-5829

Rep. Joanne Bowie (R-57)
(919) 733-5877

Rep. D. Bruce Goforth (D-115)
(828) 298-8093
(919) 733-5746

Rep. R. Phillip Haire (D-119)
(828) 586-1771
(919) 715-3005

Rep. Carolyn Justus (R-117)
(919) 733-5904

Rep. Joe Kiser (R-97)
(919) 733-5782

For additional contact information use our "Write Your Representatives" tool.