{"id":305,"date":"2026-06-03T10:04:13","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T10:04:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northcarolinamovingjournal.com\/?p=305"},"modified":"2026-06-03T10:04:13","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T10:04:13","slug":"nc-democrats-preview-rideshare-protections-renew-firearm-safety-push","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/northcarolinamovingjournal.com\/?p=305","title":{"rendered":"NC Democrats preview rideshare protections, renew firearm safety push"},"content":{"rendered":"
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North Carolina House Democrats used a National Gun Violence Awareness Day event on Tuesday to preview an upcoming legislative push for safety protections for rideshare drivers following the 2025 killing of a Durham Uber driver.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The proposal, announced by Rep. Zach Hawkins (D-Durham), will not be formally introduced until the General Assembly begins its new session in January 2027. Democrats also used the event to renew calls for broader gun safety legislation, including \u201cred flag\u201d laws and firearm storage laws.<\/span><\/p>\n

As envisioned, the legislation would require rideshare companies to report incidents of assault, robbery and carjacking. Hawkins said he will also consider mandating stricter passenger verification systems, emergency alert tools for drivers, and state incentives for installing in-vehicle cameras.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo one should have to risk their life simply for going to work,\u201d said Hawkins.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He said that he intends to work alongside law enforcement, transportation officials, and rideshare companies to refine the proposal before January.<\/span><\/p>\n

Emmanuel Kwame Gbedee Sr., a 57-year-old Durham husband and father of four, was shot and killed while working as an Uber driver last year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Imani Maatuka, lead counsel for Gbedee\u2019s estate, read a statement on behalf of the family demanding corporate accountability.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are calling on lawmakers to strengthen protections for rideshare drivers,\u201d the statement read, adding that technology companies must be held responsible for the safety of the workers on their platforms.<\/span><\/p>\n

The family is currently suing the company, claiming they did not do enough to protect him.<\/span><\/p>\n

NC Newsline has reached out to Uber for comment. Uber did not immediately respond.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other lawmakers used the event to renew calls for broader gun safety legislation that has stalled under the Republican-led legislature.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rep. Marcia Morey (D-Durham) again urged lawmakers to adopt a so-called \u201cred flag\u201d law. The proposal would allow courts to temporarily remove firearms from people found to pose a danger to themselves or others.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Morey has advocated for similar laws for years, but her proposals have never been granted a hearing. Meantime, she noted that 22 states and the District of Columbia have enacted similar measures.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe can do better. We must do better,\u201d Morey said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gun rights advocates who oppose red flag laws say they allow a court to deprive a gun owner of their Second Amendment rights without due process until a hearing can be scheduled to allow them to contest the order. However, researchers at Columbia University found that Florida\u2019s red flag law was associated with <\/span>an 11% drop<\/span> in firearm homicides.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Two NC children die from firearms each week. State agency wants consistent funding to combat that.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n