Gun Violence Prevention Act.

"Gun Violence Prevention Act." That title has been filed twice in North Carolina. Once by Democrats, once by Republicans. Same exact name. Completely different bills.

The Republican version, HB 28, creates graduated penalties for convicted felons who use firearms while committing additional felonies. Possess a gun during a felony... Class F. Brandish it... Class D. Fire it... Class C. It's a sentencing enhancement bill. Tougher punishment after the violence has already happened. The fiscal note estimates it'll cost the state $8.6 million per year in additional incarceration costs.

The Democratic version, SB 210, includes universal background checks, a 72-hour waiting period on purchases, safe storage requirements, an assault weapons permit system, and a ban on semiautomatic firearms for people under 21. Senator Natasha Marcus filed it in March 2023. It was sent to Senate Rules... which is where bills go to die. When the Republican version came up for a vote, Marcus pointed out that a Fox News poll showed 87% support for universal background checks. She offered amendments to add those provisions. Every amendment was tabled on straight party-line votes.

The same trick happened twice. SB 650, the 2023 Republican version, was identical in approach... felon sentencing enhancements, no prevention measures. Senator Marcus stood on the floor and said she loved the title so much she'd used it herself. Five days after SB 650 passed the Senate, a gunman killed eight people at an outlet mall in Texas. Marcus's actual prevention bill was still sitting in Rules.