Hickory Sun

A North Carolina state representative was critical of his Democratic colleagues who did not support overriding the governor's veto of legislation about having guns at houses of worship and their associated schools.  

“Democrats in the General Assembly switched their votes to support the governor’s veto after originally defending the rights of religious worshipers to protect themselves,” State Rep. Destin Hall (R-Lenoir) said on in a Facebook video posted on July 9.

Lawmakers failed to override Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of a policy to allow licensed gun owners to bring their weapons to churches that also have schools, but only when school is not in session.

Twelve Democrats initially supported the legislation, however, six later didn't support the Republican-led attempt to override the governor's veto. 

The bill was clear “that we are only talking about outside school hours,” Hall said in the Facebook video, speaking in support of the veto override. “It does not apply when school is in session.”

Hall had a message for his colleagues who switched their support for the bill.

“Those of you changed on this vote, good luck explaining that to your voters,” he said. “I’m up here for the folks in my district. I don’t care who the governor is. He doesn’t tell me how to vote.”