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Ashe unemployment drops 1.1 percent in April
by Dylan Lightfoot
Staff Writer
dlightfoot@civitasmedia.com
<p>Submitted image | Jefferson Post</p>

Submitted image | Jefferson Post

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Ashe County’s unemployment rate fell to 11 percent in April, down 1.1 percent since March and 0.7 percent over the year (OTY), according to the latest figures from the N.C. Division of Employment Security (DES).

Of Ashe’s April labor force of 11,807, 1,296 were seeking employment. Ashe ranked 81st among the 100 counties for employment for the month, up from 83rd in March.

April marked the 53rd consecutive month of double-digit unemployment for Ashe County.

According to DES data, there were 120 new regular unemployment insurance claims filed in Ashe County in April, and 49 new claims for federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation.

Neighboring counties saw the following rate decreases in April: Alleghany decreased 1.5 percent to 9.4 percent, down 1.1 percent OTY; Avery fell 1.1 percent to 12.3 percent, with down 0.3 percent OTY; Watauga fell 0.7 to 7.9 percent, dropping 0.2 percent OTY; and Wilkes fell 0.5 to 9.8 percent, with a 0.7 percent OTY decrease.

April not-seasonally-adjusted jobless rates decreased in 97 counties, increased in two — Greene and Wilson — and remained the same in Alexander County. All 14 of the state’s metro areas saw rate decreases for April.

Graham County had the highest April unemployment rate with 15.9 percent, while Orange County had the lowest at 5.3 percent. Among the Metro areas, Rocky Mount saw the highest rate at 12.3 percent, while Durham-Chapel Hill had the lowest at at 6.3 percent.

Compared to April, 2012, not-seasonally-adjusted rates decreased in 76 counties, increased in 19 and remained unchanged in five. Twelve of the metro areas saw rate decreases, while two experienced increases.

North Carolina’s April seasonally-adjusted unemployed rate was 8.5 percent, the lowest since December, 2008.

Nationwide, the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate fell to 7.5 percent in February, down 0.1 percent over March and 0.6 percent OTY, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS’s most recent Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (Jolts) indicates there are currently 3.1 unemployed per job opening in the U.S.

While N.C.’s April jobless rate decrease closes the gap with a slowly declining national rate, N.C. still had the fifth-highest unemployment in the nation, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Benefits paid out for all programs statewide since May 2012 totalled $2,609,416,592.

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Sales circulars in Tuesday, June 18 Jefferson Post
Jun 17, 2013 | 3055 views | 0 0 comments | 25 25 recommendations | email to a friend | print

These sales circulars for Food Lion, Ingles, Lowes Foods and Tractor Supply Co. can be found inside the Tuesday, June 18 print edition of The Jefferson Post. The Post can be purchased for $1 at over 30 locations throughout Ashe County, and yearly subscriptions are just $38.

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<p>File photo | Jefferson Post</p><p>Ashe County Sheriff James Williams</p>

File photo | Jefferson Post

Ashe County Sheriff James Williams

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New bill to make gun permits confidential
by James Howell
Staff writer
jhowell@civitasmedia.com
Jun 17, 2013 | 553 views | 0 0 comments | 27 27 recommendations | email to a friend | print
<p>File photo | Jefferson Post</p><p>Ashe County Sheriff James Williams</p>

File photo | Jefferson Post

Ashe County Sheriff James Williams

slideshow

Sweeping gun legislation passed through the N.C. Senate on Thursday, and now awaits the approval of Gov. Pat McCrory before becoming law.

House Bill 937 will, along with other things, provide confidentiality of information regarding concealed handgun permits and the sale of handguns, removing that information from public record.

“Basically, H.B. 937 will make permit records confidential,” said Ashe County Sheriff James Williams.

“The list of permit holders and the information collected by the sheriff to process an application for a permit are confidential and are not public record under G.S. 132-1. The sheriff shall make the list of permit holders and the permit information available upon request to all state and local law enforcement agencies,” reads H.B. 937.

According to Williams, both he and the N.C. Sheriff’s Association support making gun permits confidential.

“If people get into those records, they can access personal information on gun owners,” said Williams, “you wouldn’t want any Tom, Dick and Harry looking through your personal information.”

“I don’t see any reason why anyone would need to know that information,” said Williams.

H.B. 937 will also make it a criminal offense for children to have access to a dangerous firearm.

“It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly permit a child under the age of 12 years to have access to, or possession, custody or use in any manner whatever, of any gun, pistol or other dangerous firearm, whether such weapon be loaded or unloaded, unless the person has the permission of the child’s parent or guardian, and the child is under the supervision of an adult. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor,” read the bill.

The bill does not classify air rifles, air pistols and BB guns as dangerous firearms, except in Anson, Caldwell, Caswell, Chowan, Cleveland, Cumberland, Durham, Forsyth, Gaston, Harnett, Hatwood, Mecklenburg, Stanley, Stokes, Surry, Union and Vance counties.

The bill also increase penalties for certain crimes involving firearms, allows employees of institutions of higher education to carry concealed firearms on certain types of residences on campus, and allows hunters to use a suppressor to muffle the sounds of their firearms.

Also, H.B. 937 allows any person with a concealed handgun permit to carry the concealed firearm in state government parking lots, to an assembly where admission is charged or to an establishment where alcoholic beverages are sold, at a parade or funeral possession. Also, the bill allows a permit-holder to have a concealed handgun in a locked compartment in a vehicle on educational property.

Finally, the bill also clarifies established gun laws and establishes uniform state requirements for reporting information concerning mental health to the national instant criminal background check system, making those laws more consistant with federal firearms laws.

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<p>Dylan Lighfoot | Jefferson Post</p><p>Board members Polly Jones (left) and Dr. Lee Beckworth (right) discussed replacement of aging classroom projectors at Westwood Elementary at the Board of Education’s budget meeting June 11.</p>

Dylan Lighfoot | Jefferson Post

Board members Polly Jones (left) and Dr. Lee Beckworth (right) discussed replacement of aging classroom projectors at Westwood Elementary at the Board of Education’s budget meeting June 11.

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Sales circulars in Tuesday, June 18 Jefferson Post
Jun 17, 2013 | 3055 views | 0 0 comments | 25 25 recommendations | email to a friend | print

These sales circulars for Food Lion, Ingles, Lowes Foods and Tractor Supply Co. can be found inside the Tuesday, June 18 print edition of The Jefferson Post. The Post can be purchased for $1 at over 30 locations throughout Ashe County, and yearly subscriptions are just $38.

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<p>File photo | Jefferson Post</p><p>Ashe County Sheriff James Williams</p>

File photo | Jefferson Post

Ashe County Sheriff James Williams

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New bill to make gun permits confidential
by James Howell
Staff writer
jhowell@civitasmedia.com
Jun 17, 2013 | 553 views | 0 0 comments | 27 27 recommendations | email to a friend | print
<p>File photo | Jefferson Post</p><p>Ashe County Sheriff James Williams</p>

File photo | Jefferson Post

Ashe County Sheriff James Williams

slideshow

Sweeping gun legislation passed through the N.C. Senate on Thursday, and now awaits the approval of Gov. Pat McCrory before becoming law.

House Bill 937 will, along with other things, provide confidentiality of information regarding concealed handgun permits and the sale of handguns, removing that information from public record.

“Basically, H.B. 937 will make permit records confidential,” said Ashe County Sheriff James Williams.

“The list of permit holders and the information collected by the sheriff to process an application for a permit are confidential and are not public record under G.S. 132-1. The sheriff shall make the list of permit holders and the permit information available upon request to all state and local law enforcement agencies,” reads H.B. 937.

According to Williams, both he and the N.C. Sheriff’s Association support making gun permits confidential.

“If people get into those records, they can access personal information on gun owners,” said Williams, “you wouldn’t want any Tom, Dick and Harry looking through your personal information.”

“I don’t see any reason why anyone would need to know that information,” said Williams.

H.B. 937 will also make it a criminal offense for children to have access to a dangerous firearm.

“It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly permit a child under the age of 12 years to have access to, or possession, custody or use in any manner whatever, of any gun, pistol or other dangerous firearm, whether such weapon be loaded or unloaded, unless the person has the permission of the child’s parent or guardian, and the child is under the supervision of an adult. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor,” read the bill.

The bill does not classify air rifles, air pistols and BB guns as dangerous firearms, except in Anson, Caldwell, Caswell, Chowan, Cleveland, Cumberland, Durham, Forsyth, Gaston, Harnett, Hatwood, Mecklenburg, Stanley, Stokes, Surry, Union and Vance counties.

The bill also increase penalties for certain crimes involving firearms, allows employees of institutions of higher education to carry concealed firearms on certain types of residences on campus, and allows hunters to use a suppressor to muffle the sounds of their firearms.

Also, H.B. 937 allows any person with a concealed handgun permit to carry the concealed firearm in state government parking lots, to an assembly where admission is charged or to an establishment where alcoholic beverages are sold, at a parade or funeral possession. Also, the bill allows a permit-holder to have a concealed handgun in a locked compartment in a vehicle on educational property.

Finally, the bill also clarifies established gun laws and establishes uniform state requirements for reporting information concerning mental health to the national instant criminal background check system, making those laws more consistant with federal firearms laws.

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<p>Dylan Lighfoot | Jefferson Post</p><p>Board members Polly Jones (left) and Dr. Lee Beckworth (right) discussed replacement of aging classroom projectors at Westwood Elementary at the Board of Education’s budget meeting June 11.</p>

Dylan Lighfoot | Jefferson Post

Board members Polly Jones (left) and Dr. Lee Beckworth (right) discussed replacement of aging classroom projectors at Westwood Elementary at the Board of Education’s budget meeting June 11.

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Sales circulars in Tuesday, June 18 Jefferson Post
Jun 17, 2013 | 3055 views | 0 0 comments | 25 25 recommendations | email to a friend | print

These sales circulars for Food Lion, Ingles, Lowes Foods and Tractor Supply Co. can be found inside the Tuesday, June 18 print edition of The Jefferson Post. The Post can be purchased for $1 at over 30 locations throughout Ashe County, and yearly subscriptions are just $38.

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<p>File photo | Jefferson Post</p><p>Ashe County Sheriff James Williams</p>

File photo | Jefferson Post

Ashe County Sheriff James Williams

slideshow
New bill to make gun permits confidential
by James Howell
Staff writer
jhowell@civitasmedia.com
Jun 17, 2013 | 553 views | 0 0 comments | 27 27 recommendations | email to a friend | print
<p>File photo | Jefferson Post</p><p>Ashe County Sheriff James Williams</p>

File photo | Jefferson Post

Ashe County Sheriff James Williams

slideshow

Sweeping gun legislation passed through the N.C. Senate on Thursday, and now awaits the approval of Gov. Pat McCrory before becoming law.

House Bill 937 will, along with other things, provide confidentiality of information regarding concealed handgun permits and the sale of handguns, removing that information from public record.

“Basically, H.B. 937 will make permit records confidential,” said Ashe County Sheriff James Williams.

“The list of permit holders and the information collected by the sheriff to process an application for a permit are confidential and are not public record under G.S. 132-1. The sheriff shall make the list of permit holders and the permit information available upon request to all state and local law enforcement agencies,” reads H.B. 937.

According to Williams, both he and the N.C. Sheriff’s Association support making gun permits confidential.

“If people get into those records, they can access personal information on gun owners,” said Williams, “you wouldn’t want any Tom, Dick and Harry looking through your personal information.”

“I don’t see any reason why anyone would need to know that information,” said Williams.

H.B. 937 will also make it a criminal offense for children to have access to a dangerous firearm.

“It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly permit a child under the age of 12 years to have access to, or possession, custody or use in any manner whatever, of any gun, pistol or other dangerous firearm, whether such weapon be loaded or unloaded, unless the person has the permission of the child’s parent or guardian, and the child is under the supervision of an adult. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor,” read the bill.

The bill does not classify air rifles, air pistols and BB guns as dangerous firearms, except in Anson, Caldwell, Caswell, Chowan, Cleveland, Cumberland, Durham, Forsyth, Gaston, Harnett, Hatwood, Mecklenburg, Stanley, Stokes, Surry, Union and Vance counties.

The bill also increase penalties for certain crimes involving firearms, allows employees of institutions of higher education to carry concealed firearms on certain types of residences on campus, and allows hunters to use a suppressor to muffle the sounds of their firearms.

Also, H.B. 937 allows any person with a concealed handgun permit to carry the concealed firearm in state government parking lots, to an assembly where admission is charged or to an establishment where alcoholic beverages are sold, at a parade or funeral possession. Also, the bill allows a permit-holder to have a concealed handgun in a locked compartment in a vehicle on educational property.

Finally, the bill also clarifies established gun laws and establishes uniform state requirements for reporting information concerning mental health to the national instant criminal background check system, making those laws more consistant with federal firearms laws.

Comments
(0)
Comments-icon Post a Comment
No Comments Yet
<p>Dylan Lighfoot | Jefferson Post</p><p>Board members Polly Jones (left) and Dr. Lee Beckworth (right) discussed replacement of aging classroom projectors at Westwood Elementary at the Board of Education’s budget meeting June 11.</p>

Dylan Lighfoot | Jefferson Post

Board members Polly Jones (left) and Dr. Lee Beckworth (right) discussed replacement of aging classroom projectors at Westwood Elementary at the Board of Education’s budget meeting June 11.

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Sales circulars in Tuesday, June 18 Jefferson Post
Jun 17, 2013 | 3055 views | 0 0 comments | 25 25 recommendations | email to a friend | print

These sales circulars for Food Lion, Ingles, Lowes Foods and Tractor Supply Co. can be found inside the Tuesday, June 18 print edition of The Jefferson Post. The Post can be purchased for $1 at over 30 locations throughout Ashe County, and yearly subscriptions are just $38.

Comments
(0)
Comments-icon Post a Comment
No Comments Yet
<p>File photo | Jefferson Post</p><p>Ashe County Sheriff James Williams</p>

File photo | Jefferson Post

Ashe County Sheriff James Williams

slideshow
New bill to make gun permits confidential
by James Howell
Staff writer
jhowell@civitasmedia.com
Jun 17, 2013 | 553 views | 0 0 comments | 27 27 recommendations | email to a friend | print
<p>File photo | Jefferson Post</p><p>Ashe County Sheriff James Williams</p>

File photo | Jefferson Post

Ashe County Sheriff James Williams

slideshow

Sweeping gun legislation passed through the N.C. Senate on Thursday, and now awaits the approval of Gov. Pat McCrory before becoming law.

House Bill 937 will, along with other things, provide confidentiality of information regarding concealed handgun permits and the sale of handguns, removing that information from public record.

“Basically, H.B. 937 will make permit records confidential,” said Ashe County Sheriff James Williams.

“The list of permit holders and the information collected by the sheriff to process an application for a permit are confidential and are not public record under G.S. 132-1. The sheriff shall make the list of permit holders and the permit information available upon request to all state and local law enforcement agencies,” reads H.B. 937.

According to Williams, both he and the N.C. Sheriff’s Association support making gun permits confidential.

“If people get into those records, they can access personal information on gun owners,” said Williams, “you wouldn’t want any Tom, Dick and Harry looking through your personal information.”

“I don’t see any reason why anyone would need to know that information,” said Williams.

H.B. 937 will also make it a criminal offense for children to have access to a dangerous firearm.

“It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly permit a child under the age of 12 years to have access to, or possession, custody or use in any manner whatever, of any gun, pistol or other dangerous firearm, whether such weapon be loaded or unloaded, unless the person has the permission of the child’s parent or guardian, and the child is under the supervision of an adult. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor,” read the bill.

The bill does not classify air rifles, air pistols and BB guns as dangerous firearms, except in Anson, Caldwell, Caswell, Chowan, Cleveland, Cumberland, Durham, Forsyth, Gaston, Harnett, Hatwood, Mecklenburg, Stanley, Stokes, Surry, Union and Vance counties.

The bill also increase penalties for certain crimes involving firearms, allows employees of institutions of higher education to carry concealed firearms on certain types of residences on campus, and allows hunters to use a suppressor to muffle the sounds of their firearms.

Also, H.B. 937 allows any person with a concealed handgun permit to carry the concealed firearm in state government parking lots, to an assembly where admission is charged or to an establishment where alcoholic beverages are sold, at a parade or funeral possession. Also, the bill allows a permit-holder to have a concealed handgun in a locked compartment in a vehicle on educational property.

Finally, the bill also clarifies established gun laws and establishes uniform state requirements for reporting information concerning mental health to the national instant criminal background check system, making those laws more consistant with federal firearms laws.

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(0)
Comments-icon Post a Comment
No Comments Yet
<p>Dylan Lighfoot | Jefferson Post</p><p>Board members Polly Jones (left) and Dr. Lee Beckworth (right) discussed replacement of aging classroom projectors at Westwood Elementary at the Board of Education’s budget meeting June 11.</p>

Dylan Lighfoot | Jefferson Post

Board members Polly Jones (left) and Dr. Lee Beckworth (right) discussed replacement of aging classroom projectors at Westwood Elementary at the Board of Education’s budget meeting June 11.

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Sales circulars in Tuesday, June 18 Jefferson Post
Jun 17, 2013 | 3055 views | 0 0 comments | 25 25 recommendations | email to a friend | print

These sales circulars for Food Lion, Ingles, Lowes Foods and Tractor Supply Co. can be found inside the Tuesday, June 18 print edition of The Jefferson Post. The Post can be purchased for $1 at over 30 locations throughout Ashe County, and yearly subscriptions are just $38.

Comments
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Comments-icon Post a Comment
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<p>File photo | Jefferson Post</p><p>Ashe County Sheriff James Williams</p>

File photo | Jefferson Post

Ashe County Sheriff James Williams

slideshow
New bill to make gun permits confidential
by James Howell
Staff writer
jhowell@civitasmedia.com
Jun 17, 2013 | 553 views | 0 0 comments | 27 27 recommendations | email to a friend | print
<p>File photo | Jefferson Post</p><p>Ashe County Sheriff James Williams</p>

File photo | Jefferson Post

Ashe County Sheriff James Williams

slideshow

Sweeping gun legislation passed through the N.C. Senate on Thursday, and now awaits the approval of Gov. Pat McCrory before becoming law.

House Bill 937 will, along with other things, provide confidentiality of information regarding concealed handgun permits and the sale of handguns, removing that information from public record.

“Basically, H.B. 937 will make permit records confidential,” said Ashe County Sheriff James Williams.

“The list of permit holders and the information collected by the sheriff to process an application for a permit are confidential and are not public record under G.S. 132-1. The sheriff shall make the list of permit holders and the permit information available upon request to all state and local law enforcement agencies,” reads H.B. 937.

According to Williams, both he and the N.C. Sheriff’s Association support making gun permits confidential.

“If people get into those records, they can access personal information on gun owners,” said Williams, “you wouldn’t want any Tom, Dick and Harry looking through your personal information.”

“I don’t see any reason why anyone would need to know that information,” said Williams.

H.B. 937 will also make it a criminal offense for children to have access to a dangerous firearm.

“It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly permit a child under the age of 12 years to have access to, or possession, custody or use in any manner whatever, of any gun, pistol or other dangerous firearm, whether such weapon be loaded or unloaded, unless the person has the permission of the child’s parent or guardian, and the child is under the supervision of an adult. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor,” read the bill.

The bill does not classify air rifles, air pistols and BB guns as dangerous firearms, except in Anson, Caldwell, Caswell, Chowan, Cleveland, Cumberland, Durham, Forsyth, Gaston, Harnett, Hatwood, Mecklenburg, Stanley, Stokes, Surry, Union and Vance counties.

The bill also increase penalties for certain crimes involving firearms, allows employees of institutions of higher education to carry concealed firearms on certain types of residences on campus, and allows hunters to use a suppressor to muffle the sounds of their firearms.

Also, H.B. 937 allows any person with a concealed handgun permit to carry the concealed firearm in state government parking lots, to an assembly where admission is charged or to an establishment where alcoholic beverages are sold, at a parade or funeral possession. Also, the bill allows a permit-holder to have a concealed handgun in a locked compartment in a vehicle on educational property.

Finally, the bill also clarifies established gun laws and establishes uniform state requirements for reporting information concerning mental health to the national instant criminal background check system, making those laws more consistant with federal firearms laws.

Comments
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Comments-icon Post a Comment
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<p>Dylan Lighfoot | Jefferson Post</p><p>Board members Polly Jones (left) and Dr. Lee Beckworth (right) discussed replacement of aging classroom projectors at Westwood Elementary at the Board of Education’s budget meeting June 11.</p>

Dylan Lighfoot | Jefferson Post

Board members Polly Jones (left) and Dr. Lee Beckworth (right) discussed replacement of aging classroom projectors at Westwood Elementary at the Board of Education’s budget meeting June 11.

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Sales circulars in Tuesday, June 18 Jefferson Post
Jun 17, 2013 | 3055 views | 0 0 comments | 25 25 recommendations | email to a friend | print

These sales circulars for Food Lion, Ingles, Lowes Foods and Tractor Supply Co. can be found inside the Tuesday, June 18 print edition of The Jefferson Post. The Post can be purchased for $1 at over 30 locations throughout Ashe County, and yearly subscriptions are just $38.

Comments
(0)
Comments-icon Post a Comment
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<p>File photo | Jefferson Post</p><p>Ashe County Sheriff James Williams</p>

File photo | Jefferson Post

Ashe County Sheriff James Williams

slideshow
New bill to make gun permits confidential
by James Howell
Staff writer
jhowell@civitasmedia.com
Jun 17, 2013 | 553 views | 0 0 comments | 27 27 recommendations | email to a friend | print
<p>File photo | Jefferson Post</p><p>Ashe County Sheriff James Williams</p>

File photo | Jefferson Post

Ashe County Sheriff James Williams

slideshow

Sweeping gun legislation passed through the N.C. Senate on Thursday, and now awaits the approval of Gov. Pat McCrory before becoming law.

House Bill 937 will, along with other things, provide confidentiality of information regarding concealed handgun permits and the sale of handguns, removing that information from public record.

“Basically, H.B. 937 will make permit records confidential,” said Ashe County Sheriff James Williams.

“The list of permit holders and the information collected by the sheriff to process an application for a permit are confidential and are not public record under G.S. 132-1. The sheriff shall make the list of permit holders and the permit information available upon request to all state and local law enforcement agencies,” reads H.B. 937.

According to Williams, both he and the N.C. Sheriff’s Association support making gun permits confidential.

“If people get into those records, they can access personal information on gun owners,” said Williams, “you wouldn’t want any Tom, Dick and Harry looking through your personal information.”

“I don’t see any reason why anyone would need to know that information,” said Williams.

H.B. 937 will also make it a criminal offense for children to have access to a dangerous firearm.

“It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly permit a child under the age of 12 years to have access to, or possession, custody or use in any manner whatever, of any gun, pistol or other dangerous firearm, whether such weapon be loaded or unloaded, unless the person has the permission of the child’s parent or guardian, and the child is under the supervision of an adult. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor,” read the bill.

The bill does not classify air rifles, air pistols and BB guns as dangerous firearms, except in Anson, Caldwell, Caswell, Chowan, Cleveland, Cumberland, Durham, Forsyth, Gaston, Harnett, Hatwood, Mecklenburg, Stanley, Stokes, Surry, Union and Vance counties.

The bill also increase penalties for certain crimes involving firearms, allows employees of institutions of higher education to carry concealed firearms on certain types of residences on campus, and allows hunters to use a suppressor to muffle the sounds of their firearms.

Also, H.B. 937 allows any person with a concealed handgun permit to carry the concealed firearm in state government parking lots, to an assembly where admission is charged or to an establishment where alcoholic beverages are sold, at a parade or funeral possession. Also, the bill allows a permit-holder to have a concealed handgun in a locked compartment in a vehicle on educational property.

Finally, the bill also clarifies established gun laws and establishes uniform state requirements for reporting information concerning mental health to the national instant criminal background check system, making those laws more consistant with federal firearms laws.

Comments
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Comments-icon Post a Comment
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<p>Dylan Lighfoot | Jefferson Post</p><p>Board members Polly Jones (left) and Dr. Lee Beckworth (right) discussed replacement of aging classroom projectors at Westwood Elementary at the Board of Education’s budget meeting June 11.</p>

Dylan Lighfoot | Jefferson Post

Board members Polly Jones (left) and Dr. Lee Beckworth (right) discussed replacement of aging classroom projectors at Westwood Elementary at the Board of Education’s budget meeting June 11.

slideshow
Sales circulars in Tuesday, June 18 Jefferson Post
Jun 17, 2013 | 3055 views | 0 0 comments | 25 25 recommendations | email to a friend | print

These sales circulars for Food Lion, Ingles, Lowes Foods and Tractor Supply Co. can be found inside the Tuesday, June 18 print edition of The Jefferson Post. The Post can be purchased for $1 at over 30 locations throughout Ashe County, and yearly subscriptions are just $38.

Comments
(0)
Comments-icon Post a Comment
No Comments Yet
<p>File photo | Jefferson Post</p><p>Ashe County Sheriff James Williams</p>

File photo | Jefferson Post

Ashe County Sheriff James Williams

slideshow
New bill to make gun permits confidential
by James Howell
Staff writer
jhowell@civitasmedia.com
Jun 17, 2013 | 553 views | 0 0 comments | 27 27 recommendations | email to a friend | print
<p>File photo | Jefferson Post</p><p>Ashe County Sheriff James Williams</p>

File photo | Jefferson Post

Ashe County Sheriff James Williams

slideshow

Sweeping gun legislation passed through the N.C. Senate on Thursday, and now awaits the approval of Gov. Pat McCrory before becoming law.

House Bill 937 will, along with other things, provide confidentiality of information regarding concealed handgun permits and the sale of handguns, removing that information from public record.

“Basically, H.B. 937 will make permit records confidential,” said Ashe County Sheriff James Williams.

“The list of permit holders and the information collected by the sheriff to process an application for a permit are confidential and are not public record under G.S. 132-1. The sheriff shall make the list of permit holders and the permit information available upon request to all state and local law enforcement agencies,” reads H.B. 937.

According to Williams, both he and the N.C. Sheriff’s Association support making gun permits confidential.

“If people get into those records, they can access personal information on gun owners,” said Williams, “you wouldn’t want any Tom, Dick and Harry looking through your personal information.”

“I don’t see any reason why anyone would need to know that information,” said Williams.

H.B. 937 will also make it a criminal offense for children to have access to a dangerous firearm.

“It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly permit a child under the age of 12 years to have access to, or possession, custody or use in any manner whatever, of any gun, pistol or other dangerous firearm, whether such weapon be loaded or unloaded, unless the person has the permission of the child’s parent or guardian, and the child is under the supervision of an adult. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor,” read the bill.

The bill does not classify air rifles, air pistols and BB guns as dangerous firearms, except in Anson, Caldwell, Caswell, Chowan, Cleveland, Cumberland, Durham, Forsyth, Gaston, Harnett, Hatwood, Mecklenburg, Stanley, Stokes, Surry, Union and Vance counties.

The bill also increase penalties for certain crimes involving firearms, allows employees of institutions of higher education to carry concealed firearms on certain types of residences on campus, and allows hunters to use a suppressor to muffle the sounds of their firearms.

Also, H.B. 937 allows any person with a concealed handgun permit to carry the concealed firearm in state government parking lots, to an assembly where admission is charged or to an establishment where alcoholic beverages are sold, at a parade or funeral possession. Also, the bill allows a permit-holder to have a concealed handgun in a locked compartment in a vehicle on educational property.

Finally, the bill also clarifies established gun laws and establishes uniform state requirements for reporting information concerning mental health to the national instant criminal background check system, making those laws more consistant with federal firearms laws.

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<p>Dylan Lighfoot | Jefferson Post</p><p>Board members Polly Jones (left) and Dr. Lee Beckworth (right) discussed replacement of aging classroom projectors at Westwood Elementary at the Board of Education’s budget meeting June 11.</p>

Dylan Lighfoot | Jefferson Post

Board members Polly Jones (left) and Dr. Lee Beckworth (right) discussed replacement of aging classroom projectors at Westwood Elementary at the Board of Education’s budget meeting June 11.

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