By now, most people have heard about the horrible shootings in Buffalo, New York and Uvalde, Texas. Both shooters were 18 years old and had acquired their guns legally.
This raises the question: what is the minimum age for owning a gun in North Carolina?
Long Guns
There is no NC statute specifically addressing so-called long guns–rifles, carbines, shotguns, etc. Instead, the minimum age for purchase is set by federal law (18 USC Chapter 44) at 18 years.
Pistols/Handguns
Two NC statutes govern the issue of minors and handguns.
Other Resources
Gun Laws (Findlaw)
Federal Firearms Laws (Congressional Research Service)
NY State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen (an ongoing U.S. Supreme Court case that could change gun laws nationwide)
In North Carolina this morning, the state average for gas was $3.92 a gallon, according to WBTV. That’s up 4 cents in the last 24 hours and up 71 cents from one month ago.
Some of you may be wondering: what does state law have to say about such price increases?
There is one statute, N.C.G.S. 75-38, specific to this topic. It covers price increases during states of disaster or emergency.
Here are more resources that can help you research the issue.
Is North Carolina under a state of emergency?
Actually, yes. Executive Order No. 116, issued way back on March 10, 2020, is still in effect.
What powers does the governor have during a state of emergency?
Read all about it in the Emergency Management Act.
How does gas pricing work anyway?
This article explains it nicely.
What if I want to complain to somebody?
The North Carolina Attorney General’s Office is the best place to contact. You can call 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or fill out this online complaint form.
At our library, we have gotten several questions lately about the issue of hospitals or nursing homes telling people they are not liable for injuries or deaths that occur related to the coronavirus.
Is that really a law? our callers ask.
The answer: yes, it is.
The law is S.B. 704, the COVID-19 Recovery Act, which was passed in 2020. Among other things, the law provides significant liability protection for health care facilities and providers “that may result from treatment of individuals during the COVID-19 public health emergency under conditions resulting from circumstances associated with the COVID-19 public health emergency.”
This article explains the law in more detail.
While we’re on the subject, did you know the library maintains an up-to-date list of COVID-related laws, policies, and resources? Check it out here.
What is our library asked for the most? Good question.
Statuses of bills, certainly.
Committee minutes, without a doubt.
Candy? Well, Easter is coming up.
And reports. We generally have two types: those by the legislature and those written for the legislature by other agencies. Many of them are in full text on our website.
Don’t see the report you need? Let us know! We might be able to track it down.
Wondering what laws passed by the General Assembly take effect today?
We have a chart for that!
Click this link and scroll down to “Legislation Effective October 1, 2021.”
Questions? Call us at 919-733-9390.
You’ve heard about it. You’ve read about it. Maybe you’ve been sitting at a family reunion, picking at the potato salad, when Uncle Ted has wandered up and tried talking about it.
It, of course, is voter ID, an initiative to require voters to show a government-issued photo ID when they go to the polls.
The General Assembly has tried several times over the years to implement this system, and the courts have consistently blocked it. What’s happening with those cases now?
Check out this useful guide to stay informed.
On August 27, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court ended the nationwide eviction moratorium that the Centers for Disease Control issued earlier this month.
Here is the Court’s opinion doing that. The opinion doesn’t say when, or how, the moratorium must be ended. It lists no deadlines and spells out no procedures.
What, then, should you do if you are facing eviction? Here are some resources that may help.
Legal Aid of North Carolina
Toll-free helpline: 1-866-219-LANC
U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development
This agency can help if you live in federal housing.
Lawyer Referral Service
This service will connect you with an attorney who specializes in your area of need for a 30-minute consultation. The cost is $50.
NC Attorney General
You can file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Division here.
For more free or low-cost legal resources, click here.
Finally, you can contact your state senator and/or representative. Don’t know who that is? Click here to search by your street address.
Last September, we wrote that the State Archives was working on digitizing NC Senate recordings from 1993-2005 and making the audio available online.
The audio is now available! Next up: audio for the 1979-1980 biennium.
Want to know more about this project? Click here!
You’ve seen this picture, right?
It’s the zebra cobra, indigenous to Africa but belonging to a Raleigh resident, that’s now loose in the Oak City.
You may be wondering if it’s legal to own a venomous snake in North Carolina. The answer is yes, but there’s a lot you have to do for it. N.C.G.S. Chapter 14, Article 55 governs the regulation of reptiles, including snakes.
There are a number of snake species in North Carolina. Which ones are deadly? What should you do if you see one? The NC Wildlife Resources Commission has answers.
- Snake information page
- Coexist with Snakes
- What to do when you see a snake outdoors
Some of NC’s snake species are endangered, meaning they are protected by the federal Endangered Species Act. You need a permit from the Commission to own one of these species.
Maybe you have a friend who is into snake handling and you’d like to know more. Read up on its history here and its NC history here.
Finally, are you a trial lawyer looking for a new, can’t-miss approach to winning cases? Check out Don Keenan and David Ball’s reptile revolution.
Watch our maintenance crew take apart the original library reference desk (c. 1983). Our new one should be installed next week!