NEW : The office of Attorney General Ray Cooper declines to comment . A group of Republicans say the ban violated the First and 14th amendments . Most of these are in Europe and South America . North Carolina passes a constitutional amendment to outlaw same - sex marriage . Same - sex marriage is legal in 17 other states and the District of Columbia .
NEW : The office of Attorney General Ray Cooper declines to comment . A group of Republicans say the ban violated the First and 14th amendments . North Carolina passes a constitutional amendment to outlaw same - sex marriage . Same - sex marriage is legal in 17 other states and the District of Columbia .