Orr on amendments

Bob Orr supports a proposed constitutional amendment to restrict eminent domain.

But the candidate for the Republican nomination for governor says there is no need for one banning gay marriage at this time.

Orr, a former state Supreme Court justice, told Dome he is troubled by the possibility that government could seize private property for a developer using eminent domain.

"It should not be used to transfer property from one private citizen to another," he said.

But he said that existing state law and an Attorney General's opinion are enough to prevent North Carolina from recognizing same-sex marriages, which he opposes.

"I think constitutional amendments should be a last resort," he said.

A bill putting the eminent domain amendment on the ballot is in the Senate. Last month, House Speaker Joe Hackney killed a bill that would have put a gay marriage ban before voters.