How should you title a bill on a controversial subject?

One strategy: Don't mention it.

Consider the following bill titles, all of which neatly pull the trick of sounding either positive or innocuous while avoiding mentioning their raison d'être:

The Healthy Youth Act: Puts most students in comprehensive sex ed classes, with an option for abstinence-only at parents' discretion.

Personal Protection in Restaurants: Allows people with concealed weapons permits to bring handguns into restaurants and bars.

Conform State Law to Lawrence v. Texas: Gets rid of state statutes, since found unconstitutional, that prohibit gay sex.

Repeal Ban G.S. 95-99: Allows state government employees to join a union and collectively negotiate their contracts.

Defense of Marriage: Puts a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage in North Carolina up for a referendum.

Note the words "guns," "homosexuality," "sex education" or "unions" don't appear in any of the above, or any other bills filed this session, for that matter.

Roxane Kolar is concerned about several bills.

The executive director of North Carolinians Against Gun Violence said the advocacy group opposes bills that would allow concealed weapons in state parks and restaurants.

"Right now, most people visit state parks because it's a safe environment," she said. "While others may feel safer having their weapons in a state park, there's a lot of others who won't."

She said the group opposes allowing guns in restaurants because "guns and alcohol don't mix." Even though most people with concealed weapons permits are responsible, she said they may not stay that way after a few drinks.

In addition, Kolar said that exempting restaurants would "take away the rights of the business owner" to decide what they want.

On the other hand, she said that the group does not have a stance on two bills that would allow district attorneys to carry concealed weapons into courthouses.

"If D.A.'s feel as a whole that this would improve their safety, then we're not going to question that," she said. 

A bill would allow concealed weapons in restaurants.

Sen. Andrew Brock filed a bill last week that would allow North Carolinians with concealed weapons permits to take their guns into restaurants.

A companion bill was filed this week in the House. 

Under state law, it is a Class I misdemeanor to take "any gun, rifle or pistol" into any establishment that serves alcohol, unless you are the proprietor, police officer or on-duty military.

Brock said that criminals are more likely to target restaurants for robberies knowing that fewer patrons may be carrying a gun. He cited shootings in malls and at Virginia Tech.

"The reasons they have gunmen go into these areas is because they know the people there are defenseless," he said. "If they knew that people were armed or had a possibility of being armed, they wouldn't go in there."

A separate House bill would also allow concealed weapons in state parks. 

Brock, who plans to undergo training for a concealed weapons permit soon, said he would support that measure as well.

Some recent House bills of note:

H.B. 266: Use of Deadly Force/Public Web Site, Rep. Elmer Floyd

H.B. 269: Concealed Handgun Permit Valid in Parks, Reps. Mark Hilton, Justin Burr, George Cleveland and Jim Gulley

H.B. 270: Personal Protection in Restaurants, Reps. Hilton, Fred Steen, Burr and Cleveland

H.B. 275: Sex Offenders Can't be EMS Personnel, Reps. Carolyn Justus, Annie Mobley and Shirley Randleman