A group dedicated to reducing gun violence jeered Sen. Kay Hagan for her vote for an amendment that would have required states to recognize other states' concealed carry permits.

The Thune Amendment to the 2010 defense authorization bill, by Republican Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, would have required states to recognize concealed weapons permits issued in other states. Individual states have varying laws on who can carry concealed weapons. Republican Sen. Richard Burr, an avid hunter, was a co-sponsor of the amendment.

It was Hagan, a Democrat, who took the brunt of the jeers from North Carolinians Against Gun Violence.

"What happened to states' rights?" said Sue Baker, board of directors president of the group. "North Carolina citizens trust that laws passed by our state legislature protect the public and keep us safe. The Thune Amendment would have made our North Carolina conceal carry laws obsolete."

The amendment failed.

The group noted that Hagan, as a state senator, voted for a bill that established guidelines for North Carolina to recognize other states' permits. The law stated that any state that recognized North Carolina's permits would have its permits recognized here.

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. 

Lisa Price is stepping down as head of a gun-control group.

In an e-mail to supporters of the North Carolinians Against Gun Violence Education Fund, Price said she decided "after much soul-searching" to retire at the end of 2007.

"This is very hard for me to do, for I am one of the 1993 NCGV founders and have been executive director for 10 years," she said.

Price said she will serve as a consultant to the new director and help with fundraising for the Durham-based advocacy group.

A job description for the position says it requires five years experience in nonprofit management, including two as executive director, and general knowledge of the North Carolina legislature.

Her husband is U.S. Rep. David Price, a Raleigh Democrat.

Hat Tip: Ruth Sheehan