The Coastal Game Fish Bill must pass this week or it will be dead for at least two years under the state law making procedures. The Coastal Game Fish Bill will protect Red Drum, Speckled Trout and Striped Bass from the wasteful harvest methods utilized by commercial fisherman that resulted in massive fish kills off our coast.
The Coastal Game Fish Bill classifies red drum, striped bass, and speckled sea trout as game fish and limits the take of these fish to hook and line. The bill also prohibits sale of these three species of fish. This protection is necessary given the current depleted state of these fishery stocks and overfishing pressure. These three fish are relatively less important to the commercial fishing industry since they constitute only about 1.5 percent of the commercial harvest in NC. The value of these fish to the local and state economies as game fish is hundreds of times greater than when managed as commercial fisheries.
NC Camo has some good info as well as a way to contact your lawmakers so check it out
The Omnibus Firearm Bill has made it through the second reading but an amendment eliminating parking lot language has reduced the effectiveness of this bill. If a business bars you from carrying on their premises as well as storing your gun in a locked vehicle then you have clearly lost your second amendment rights.
NRA-backed omnibus firearm bill, passed second reading on Tuesday afternoon. Unfortunately, an anti-gun amendment introduced by state Representative Chuck McGrady (R-117) was adopted by a narrow 59 to 57 vote. This amendment eliminated the Parking Lot language that would have barred any business from prohibiting Right-to-Carry permit holders from storing firearms in their vehicles while parked on the property of that business. Several state Representatives who have historically supported gun owners cast surprising votes in favor of this amendment.
The NRA has the list of those lawmakers who didn’t stand up for our rights as well as a way to contact them.
It’s going to be a hot day but remind lawmakers we’re not all on the beach and paying attention what is happening in Raleigh.
