UPDATE:
I just spoke with the Governor's Chief Council, and he informed me that this particular Executive Order (EO-62) was actually invoked under
Chapter 166-A of the North Carolina Emergency Management Act, which DOES NOT automatically invoke §14-288.7.
http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bychapter/chapter_166a.html
He also said they have send briefings to all local and state LEAs letting them know that this EO does not effect the prohibition on firearms...
So apparently there are two different set of rules under which EOs may invoke a State of Emergency--one that does put §14-288.7 into effect, and one that doesn't. And this one is the kind that doesn't. Apparently, they learned their lesson with the King Fiasco last winter...
He also told me that they had been getting a TON of calls on this matter, and would be looking into changing the State of Emergency statute in the upcoming Legislative Session in January.
Of course, Mr Gura and SAF might force them to change this silly, racist, Jim Crow law in the Courts before they can do it in the General Assembly. We shall see. Will the "Wheels of Justice" turn more quickly than the "Wheels of Legislature"?
Personally, I'd rather see BOTH things happen. I'd like to see the Gura/SAF case win first, and then the GA vote to strike this provision from the NCGC. This would be an EPIC WIN for not just NC residents, but EVERYONE in the country, because it would get this silly law off our books, AND it would establish case-law precedent for other states in similar situations to refer to.
S, don't worry folks. Transporting, carrying, and possessing firearms while you are out and about in NC is PERFECTLY legal and lawful under this EO.
But there is always next time. :banghead:
Stay vigilant...