Editorial: For legislators it's about showing up. What happens when some don't

CBC Editorial: Thursday, March 30, 2023; editorial #8838

The following is the opinion of Capitol Broadcasting Company

North Carolina’s legislature on Wednesday made the state a more dangerous place to live.

Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of the legislation doing away with sheriff-issued permits for the purchase of handguns should have been upheld. The votes were there. Democratic House Leader Robert Reives failed to make sure the votes he had were in place. It is stark contrast to Republican Speaker Tim Moore who DID have ALL his votes in place.

Two Democratic legislators who would have made the difference -- Tricia Cotham of Mecklenburg County and Cecil Brockman of Guilford County – should have been present and voting. This wasn’t an issue for political deals and we hope it wasn’t the case here.

Present and voting – when it all gets boiled down that is THE job of a legislator. “I was unable to attend the vote, which wouldn’t have changed the unfortunate outcome,” said Cotham, explaining her need to undergo a planned medical procedure, in a statement. How did she know her vote wouldn’t have made a difference?

From the looks of things, we beg to differ.

Every vote counts and in this case it isn’t a stretch to say her vote could have made a difference. Cast a vote and be on the record – that is what every legislator is elected to do. Brockman and Cotham’s constituents should hold them to account in the next election.

This overridden veto boils down to failed leadership and neglect of the duty legislators owe those they represent.

Let’s review some of the facts:

It takes 48 votes in the N.C. House of Representatives to sustain a veto by the governor. On Wednesday there were 46 votes – two short of the required number – to sustain Cooper’s veto that would have maintained the requirement that anyone wanting to buy a handgun get a permit from the local Sheriff. The permits were given following a background check, including criminal history and mental competence.

Two Democrats who initially voted to abolish the permit requirement – Reps. Shelly Willingham of Edgecombe County and Marvin Lucas of Cumberland County – supported Cooper’s veto. Lucas said he switched his position following this week’s tragic school shooting massacre in Nashville. He even delayed a planned surgical procedure to show up and cast his vote.

The two other Democrats who say they supported Cooper’s veto, Cotham and Brockman, missed the vote, assuring the veto would be overridden abolishing the handgun purchase permits and further jeopardizing the safety of all North Carolinians. Cotham said she had a medical obligation she couldn’t miss. Brockman’s office said he had visited urgent care.

Not that any of those voting Wednesday might have had a chance to hear about the stakes.

As the state House was voting to make North Carolina a more dangerous place, here were some of the top news headlines that weren’t discussed:

• Community mourns Nashville school shooting victims, calls for action
• Teacher, school employee, neighbors describe fear as shots fired outside Raleigh middle school
• Rocky Mount police search for man suspected of shooting outside nightclub
• Three injured, business owners disheartened over shooting at Raleigh shopping center
• Multiple officers respond to shooting call at Glascock Street and North Raleigh Boulevard
• One dead after shootout with Raleigh police
• Police stationed outside Ligon Magnet Middle School after nearby shooting
• Man killed, 2 people injured in Fayetteville shooting

Here are some facts that didn’t get mentioned. Since Jan. 1, 2022 there have been 940 shooting deaths and 1,562 injuries in North Carolina. From 2019 through 2021 the state had a 121% increase in firearm-related death rates among youths. From 2011 through 2020, 525 children died from firearm injuries. In 2021, the number of child deaths due to firearms was 121.

Be assured silence doesn’t come cheap. Campaign contributions in excess of $51,000 over the last two election cycles from the National Rifle Association’s Political Victory Fund to Republican legislative campaigns makes sure such uncomfortable matters are hushed up.

Gov Cooper’s right when he tweeted: “Without any debate allowed by GOP leadership because the arguments were too compelling for them to hear. … Allowing known domestic abusers and mentally ill people to buy handguns puts communities at risk.”

So was state Attorney General Josh Stein. “There’s never a right week to make it easier for criminals to get their hands on guns, but doing it this week is absurd,” he said. "Our legislators are failing us.”

Earlier this week U.S. and state flags at state facilities were lowered to half-staff in honor of the Nashville shooting victims.

Let’s be clear. We support the 2ND Amendment and the right of every LAW-ABIDING citizen to “keep and bear arms.” We also believe in the “unalienable rights” of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That means common sense laws to keep North Carolinians safe.

North Carolina’s law assuring a basic background check prior to a handgun purchase, keeping guns out of the hands of the mentally unstable who threaten themselves and others, are no limits on anyone’s rights.

Gun violence is on the rise and this latest action by our legislators only escalates that sorry trajectory.

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