I live in North Carolina and had to wait 30 days before I got a handgun permit through the Sheriff's office. So the fact Calboner listed about NC not requiring a background check is wrong. Also, if you have a felony, you cannot get a permit, buy a gun, have one given to you, or in anyway own a gun. However, I doubt most convicted felons even apply for a permit.
I'm taking a class for concealed carry and the wait is 90 days. It is a thorough background check that includes mental health records search. These are the North Carolina laws.
Most people that commit crimes with guns do not have a license, never took a class to handle them, and are the types of people who are looking to shoot someone. The vast majority of people who own guns, will never shoot anyone. The point is that they won't be defenseless when an asshole comes by and points a gun in their face. If that fireman had pointed a gun a me, I would have immediatley distracted him and shot him dead within 3 seconds. I wouldn't have felt bad about it either. It's me or the bad guy. And that's the reality of it.
Think of me what you wish. But if anyone tries to hurt or kill me or my family, I have a surprise waiting in this tiny package. It's usually a Glock 23 and I know how to use it.
There are people of "sound mind" who are just plain evil and if they can't shoot you, they look for other means to hurt and disable another person.
Hell, my car weighs 3000 pounds and I see people using their vehicle in an aggressive and deadly way every single day. Even when they have kids in the backseat. Some people have the killer instinct whether they own a gun or not.