North Carolinians Against Gun Violence (NCGV), Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action and Giffords, came together on April 28 at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Raleigh to learn about grassroots activism and advocate for anti-gun violence laws in legislation.Supporters from around the state started their morning in conversation as they prepared to talk with senators in the N.C. state legislative building. Organization members, gun violence survivors and volunteers talk about the importance of maintaining Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of N.C.-S.B. 50. The bill, also known as the “Freedom to Carry NC Act,” would permit anyone 18 years of age or older to carry a concealed handgun without obtaining a permit.Sheriff Clarence Birkhead, who has been outspoken about his stance on anti-gun violence and ICE cooperation, spoke to the crowd of advocates to show his support and encourage more work to manage gun violence in local and statewide communities in light of Advocacy Day.Advocates from each N.C. county were grouped together to serve as spokespeople and constituents for their local communities. Durham County, one of the biggest groups present for the Advocacy Day event, included a diverse range of advocate voices. Pictured left to right, Blair Rodgers, Laverne Lucier, Claire Hailey, Sylvia Burns, Yasmin Sudarsanam.Sylvia Burns brainstorms ideas with her group in the court of the N.C. Legislative Building as they await to meet their first district representative.Another member of Moms Demand Action attentively awaits meeting another lawmaker as she reads an informational folder about her county’s gun violence statistics.The Durham County group meets with their district representative, D-Sen. Sophia Chitlik, to share their concerns about the overturning of Gov. Stein’s June 2025 veto against S.B. 50.Sen. Chitlik takes notes about recent statistics of gun violence trends in Durham.Hailey (left) and Lucier (right) share a smile while listening to the plans of Sen. Chitlik.After transitioning through different meetings with other lawmakers, Rodgers stands aloof as she thinks about what’s next for gun laws in North Carolina. “I have three small children at home,” Rodgers said, “I want to keep them safe, happy, healthy, and see them grow up to be productive members of society.”Moms Demand Action is a grassroots movement created after the Sandy Hook tragedy in 2012 with chapters in each state. Moms, dads, students, families concerned citizens and survivors work to promote a culture of responsible gun ownership and pass stronger gun laws. If lawmakers overturn the governor’s veto it risks making background checks and proper gun use preparation sparse and allowing younger citizens the ability to purchase and conceal a firearm. State legislature will return in late July for veto overrides.
