Yes, it *is* easier to get a gun than cast a vote in NC

Submitted by scharrison on

She's talking about this quote from Reverend (Dr.) Barber: "It is easier to get a gun in America than a voting card." When looking at the "ease" of which something can be done, the amount of time involved is a primary factor. If you want to purchase a shotgun or rifle (which includes semi-automatic AK-47/AR-15) on November 8th, just go on that day and walk out with it. If you want to buy a handgun on that day, you'll need a sheriff's permit before you go, which usually takes just 3-5 days. If you want to vote on November 8th however, you have to get your authorization almost a month before that date:

The deadline to register to vote in North Carolina is 25 days before the date of an election. The voter registration application must be received by the applicant’s county boards of elections by this date. If an application is received after the deadline, the application may still be timely if it was mailed and it is postmarked on or before the voter registration deadline; otherwise, the application will not be processed until after the election. Persons who register at the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles or another voter registration agency will be considered registered as of the date the application is given to the agency.

This aspect alone proves Reverend Barber's assertion. If we told gun sellers/buyers they had to apply for a permit 25 days before they could take possession of their little lethal phallic symbols, the outrage would be overwhelming. So now let's look at "who" is authorized to do each thing. Those who can purchase firearms are a larger group than those who can vote:

Handgun Purchase Permit Requirements: must meet ALL requirements

Applicant Must:

be a citizen, a naturalized citizen or a resident alien;
be twenty-one (21) years of age;
eighteen to twenty (18-20) year olds can apply for a restricted permit;
have attained at least one month's residency in Mecklenburg County;
at the time of your appointment, provide a valid driver's license or other picture ID with current address provided by the State of North Carolina.

Needless to say, resident aliens cannot cast a vote in a NC election. Not saying they should be able to, nor am I saying they shouldn't be allowed to purchase a firearm. But you have to wonder why going around armed in our society is less of a threat to democracy than casting a (single) vote.

While these sheriff-issued handgun permits do have a ticking clock, as long as you use them in time there is no (additional) verification process. It's assumed you are who you say you are. But with voter registration, your identity (even after you've presented ID, Social Security proof, proof of residency, etc.) is still subject to scrutiny:

If the application is complete and the person is qualified to vote, the county board of elections will mail a voter registration card to the applicant to provide notice of the registration. This mailing is non-forwardable and also serves to verify the applicant’s address. If a voter card is returned by the postal service as undeliverable, then a second mailing will be sent to the voter. In the event that that second mailing is also returned as undeliverable, then the applicant’s voter registration may subsequently be denied.

There's no doubt in my mind that voting can be more challenging than buying a gun in NC. Our leaders(?) have taken steps in each area to remove regulations or put more in place, and the end result is a totally illogical mish-mash of irresponsible and ideological statutes. And I'm glad Reverend Barber is sharp enough to point those out.

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