Gregory Kielma • January 20, 2025
North Carolina Background Checks Return Sensitive Medical Records
North Carolina Background Checks Return Sensitive Medical Records
Story By:
Darwin Nercesian
Gregg Kielma
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A Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) employee revealed to attorneys in a 2024 deposition that the agency occasionally receives sensitive and unrequested medical data during concealed carry permit background checks, including abortion and sexually transmitted disease records, according to WCNC. In response to the revelation, one state lawmaker is planning to introduce legislation limiting the type of information provided in these reports.
Republican Representative Keith Kidwell from District 90 in eastern North Carolina is showing his concern for the privacy of constituents whose inalienable rights are arguably already under undue scrutiny given the plain text of the Second Amendment. Although North Carolina residents sign an Administrative Office of the Courts form consenting to a sheriff’s office review of their history to ensure applicants are capable of safely handling a firearm when applying for a carry permit, certain medical information is considered far too invasive and irrelevant to forming the necessary determination.
” We’ve got to do everything we can to control that… What I’m going to do is get with the drafting folks and we’re going to look at legislation and see how we curtail this so that only the information that’s necessary for law enforcement to make decisions on concealed carry is the only thing that they’re provided with,” said Kidwell.
Discovery of the privacy violation occurred when attorney Ron Shook was deposing witnesses in a 2024 lawsuit alleging the MCSO failed to issue concealed carry permits in a timely matter. A sheriff’s office employee detailed the wide range of information handed over by health providers during the background check process, many of which contain data not requested by the agency, such as whether a woman’s cesarean section records, their number of pregnancies, and more.
“They’re also releasing information such as, ‘Has a person had an abortion? Do they have any sexually transmitted diseases? Really invasive personal information that the sheriff doesn’t need to make a decision about whether or not they should be able to carry a firearm. It’s entirely too much. It’s invasive,” Shook said.
A sheriff’s office spokesperson pointed out, however, that the agency does not control what information is turned over, noting that records are issued at the health provider’s discretion.
“Sometimes hundreds of pages are sent, but these may contain no evidence suggesting the applicant is unfit to safely handle a handgun, and the (Concealed Handgun Permit) is granted… Other times, only a few pages are sent, yet they reveal significant concerns, such as evidence of addiction or mental health issues, which could lead to a denial. Even records from providers not specializing in mental health, such as an OB/GYN, may be relevant. For example, discussions about abortion might indicate severe depression or suicidal thoughts, raising concerns about the applicant’s ability to handle a handgun safely,” the MCSO spokesperson said in a statement.
State law confounds the issue by allowing the release of “records concerning the mental health or capacity of the applicant” and requiring the sheriff’s office to consider “physical or mental infirmity” in determining carry permit eligibility, a confusion Representative Kidwell, known for sponsoring prior legislation to eliminate the permitting process, intends to clarify in drafting the new legislation.
“Anything that goes beyond the necessity that the sheriff or sheriff’s deputies would need to make that decision is invasive in my mind … It’s inappropriate for them to be provided that information because it’s not necessary to make the decision they need to make. That’s blatantly none of their business and should not be provided … One of the things I do constantly is to try and look at legislation and say, ‘What’s the worst thing that can happen with this?’ And that’s what I try to address … We’ll have to come up with a different format, a different form, something along those lines so that the medical records are not released inappropriately,” says Kidwell.
The North Carolina General Assembly formally convenes its next session on January 29.
Proponents of any permitting process beyond the Second Amendment foolishly claim the requirement somehow makes communities safer, however, violent crime is already illegal, and I don’t think criminals bent on murder are deterred by a permit to carry whatever device they intend to use, be it a firearm, knife, pressure cooker or vehicle. This type of situation is an understandable result of making laws to chase other laws that were made to violate other laws rather than simply enforcing the law and allowing Americans the unfettered means to protect themselves and their families. Confused yet? You should be. That’s exactly where they want you.
Gregg Kielma
FFL-Firearms- Instructor First Aid Fundamentals Instructor-Gunsmith-
AED Defibrillator Sales
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Being Prepared for the 2026 Hurricane Season By Gregory Kielma, Tactical K Training & Firearms The 2026 Hurricane Season is shaping up to be another year where preparation isn’t optional it’s essential. Florida has seen record heat, rising insurance pressures, rapid population growth, and increasingly unpredictable storm behavior. None of that is meant to create fear. It’s meant to reinforce a simple truth: preparedness gives you control, confidence, and options when the weather turns. Whether you’re protecting a home, a business, or a family, the goal is the same build layers of readiness before the first storm forms. Start With Awareness and a Plan Storms don’t give you time to “figure it out later.” Your plan should be written, practiced, and known by everyone in the household or workplace. Key elements of a solid plan: Where will you go if evacuation becomes necessary Multiple routes out of your area A communication plan if cell networks fail A designated out‑of‑state contact A plan for pets, elderly family members, and anyone with medical needs For businesses, include: Who secures the building Who handles digital backups Who communicates closures and reopening A plan removes panic. It replaces it with action. Strengthen Your Home or Business Before the First Storm Florida structures take a beating every year. Small improvements now prevent major losses later. Exterior protection: Inspect your roof for loose shingles or soft spots Clear gutters and drainage paths Trim trees and remove dead limbs Install or test shutters Reinforce garage doors—one of the most common failure points Interior protection: Surge protection for critical electronics Elevate valuables and important documents Know how to shut off water, power, and gas If you own a business, walk your property as if you were a storm: What can break? What can blow away? What can flood? Fix those points now. Build a Realistic, Usable Supply Kit For Your Home or Business A hurricane kit isn’t about stockpiling, it’s about independence. After a major storm, help may take hours or days to reach your area. For homes and families: Water: 1 gallon per person per day (minimum 3–7 days) Non‑perishable food Medications and medical supplies Flashlights, headlamps, and batteries Battery bank for phones First aid kit Copies of important documents Cash in small bills Tools, gloves, tarps, duct tape For businesses: Backup power for essential systems Printed employee contact lists Hard copies of insurance documents A plan for securing inventory and equipment Preparedness isn’t about fear it’s about not being dependent on luck. Protect Your Digital Life In 2026, digital readiness is just as important as physical readiness. Back up important files to the cloud and an external drive Photograph your home, business, and valuables for insurance Store digital copies of IDs, insurance policies, and receipts Keep chargers, power banks, and a small solar panel if possible When the power goes out, your digital preparation keeps you moving. Understand Post‑Storm Safety Most injuries happen after the storm, not during it. Be cautious with: Downed power lines Flooded roads Carbon monoxide from generators Unstable structures Contaminated water If you evacuated, don’t rush home. Wait for official clearance. Your safety comes first. Mindset: Prepared, Not Paranoid Preparedness is a discipline, not a reaction. It’s the same mindset we teach in every Tactical K class awareness, planning, and responsible action. A hurricane is a natural event. Your response is a choice. When you prepare early, you protect: Your family Your property Your business Your peace of mind And you set an example for your community. Kielma’s Parting Shot The 2026 Hurricane Season will bring challenges, just like every season. But Floridians are resilient, and preparation is part of our way of life. Start now. Strengthen your home, your business, and your plan. Build your layers of safety before the first storm forms. If you need help building a plan, creating a checklist, or preparing your family or business, Tactical K Training is here to support you with practical, real‑world guidance.
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Convicted Felon Sentenced to 87 Months in Trafficking Nine Firearms, Including to Buyer Who Said He Was ‘At War’ Thursday, April 30, 2026 U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Columbia WASHINGTON - Brandon Smith, 34, a previously convicted felon residing in the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 87 months in prison for conspiring to traffic at least nine firearms to a prohibited buyer over the course of six months, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. “Brandon Smith was already on supervised probation for a violent felony when he chose to traffic firearms, and he continued even after being told the buyer intended to use them for violence,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Over the course of six months, he arranged the sale of at least nine guns—including one with an obliterated serial number—to a prohibited individual. This was not a momentary lapse in judgment, but a sustained and deliberate effort to arm someone who could not legally possess firearms. My office remains committed to holding accountable those who endanger our communities by trafficking illegal guns.” On Jan. 9, 2026, Smith pleaded guilty before Judge Howell to conspiracy to commit trafficking in firearms. In addition to the 87-month prison term, Judge Howell ordered Smith to serve three years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had requested a 108-month prison term. According to court papers, beginning in November 2023, ATF opened an investigation after a confidential source reported that Smith, then on supervised probation for a violent felony, was actively advertising firearms for sale by texting photographs of guns to prospective buyers, including individuals with prior felony convictions. During the next six months, Smith sold or arranged the sale of nine firearms to a buyer on six separate occasions. During the transactions, Smith sold his own personal carry firearm on multiple occasions when a supplier failed to deliver, then purchased a replacement for himself afterward. In early January 2024, as Smith and the buyer discussed an upcoming transaction, the buyer told Smith he needed the firearms because he was “at war” after his cousin had been killed. Smith proceeded with the sale. The buyer had also told Smith he was serving a criminal justice sentence at the time of the transactions. Smith acknowledged that he, too, was “on papers.” Smith arranged a total of six transactions from Nov. 30, 2023, through May 30, 2024, resulting in the sale of nine firearms. At least one of the firearms had its serial number obliterated. On Oct. 26, 2024, MPD officers conducted a traffic stop on the 1600 block of 16th Street SE and found Smith in the front passenger seat of a parked vehicle. Officers observed open containers of alcohol and discovered a satchel at his feet. Inside the satchel, in plain view, was a loaded Glock Model 19X 9mm handgun with a round in the chamber and 16 additional rounds in the magazine. The bag also contained a bank card and government-issued identification in Smith’s name. Smith has prior convictions for Simple Assault (2011), Attempted Robbery (2013), and Robbery and Possession of a Firearm during a Crime of Violence (2016), for which he was sentenced to five years in prison. He was serving a term of supervised probation from the 2016 conviction at the time of the firearms trafficking conspiracy. This investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Office, and the Metropolitan Police Department. The matter was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan M. Horan. Convicted Felon Sentenced to 87 Months in Trafficking
