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HB 937 Comes Up For A Vote In The NC Senate Today

June 12, 2013 by 4 Comments

HB 937 with the Senate Judiciary I Committee substitute language comes up for its Second Reading vote in the North Carolina Senate today. The Senate goes into session today at 3pm so the vote should happen sometime this evening. I just sent my State Senator a note encouraging him to vote for it which I anticipate that he will.

This bill does many things as the alert from Grass Roots North Carolina outlines below (see also Sean’s detailed analysis of the bill). Despite what the gun prohibitionists and some in the media might want you to believe this bill does not allow you to carry concealed on educational property and it doesn’t allow you to carry concealed while drinking alcohol in a bar or restaurant. What it does do is allow you to store your firearm in a locked vehicle while on educational property and it allows you to enjoy a nice meal in a restaurant that serves alcohol while carrying concealed.

From GRNC:

Senate improves on HB 937

House Bill 937 passed the NC Senate Judiciary I Committee today and will head for the Senate floor as early as tomorrow. Please see below for immediate actions required.

Due to the efforts of Senator Buck Newton (R- , GRNC ****), Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger (R-Guilford, Rockingham, ****) and Senate Rules Chair Tom Apodaca (R, Henderson, ****), the version passed by the committee was far stronger than what left the House.

Although debate was limited, when asked for public comment, the chief of security for the University of North Carolina, along with security heads from all 17 campuses stood, in uniform, to express “concerns” about the bill’s campus provisions. Afterward, GRNC president Paul Valone addressed the committee by noting that UNC objections to campus carry on the premise that it would harm their ability to “protect” students rang false in light of the fact that violent crime on campuses across the state, plus attempts by two schools to suppress reports of violent crime, reveal that UNC is doing a poor job of “protecting” anyone.

GRNC wishes to thank Senate leadership for working with our organization to strengthen laws, better enabling lawful North Carolinians to protect themselves and their families.

Improvements to HB 937

In addition to restaurant carry, guns in locked vehicles in state-owned parking lots and a limited provision for guns in locked vehicles on state college campuses, all of which were in the House version of the bill, the Proposed Committee Substitute passed by the Senate:

  • Expands the guns-in-locked-vehicles provision for concealed handgun permit-holders (CHP-holders) to include all campuses rather than simply institutions of higher learning. As before, employees of the institution living in detached dwellings could still transfer firearms to and from their homes, but also added is a limited measure for employees who do not have CHPs.


  • Enables CHP-holders to carry at assemblies of people for which admission is charged and any establishment serving alcohol unless the person in control of the premises posts against firearms. As before, permit-holders would be prohibited from imbibing alcohol.

  • Narrows and clarifies the definition of “recreational facilities” within parks where municipalities may still ban concealed carry in parks, specifically prohibiting bans when organized athletic events are not taking place, and prohibiting bans in greenways, biking and walking paths and other open areas.

  • Removes handgun permits from public record, rendering them unavailable to the media.

  • Repeals the current prohibition on firearms for CHP-holders at funerals and parades.

  • Repeals NC’s Jim Crow-era handgun purchase permit system in its entirety.

  • Requires sheriffs to revoke CHPs from permit-holders convicted of disqualifying crimes.

  • Expands hunting to include use of sound suppressors.

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!

  • CALL & EMAIL YOUR STATE SENATOR: Tell them to not only support HB 937, but to oppose all weakening amendments, particularly “poison pill” amendments to restaurant carry and any amendment which would weaken campus carry.


  • SEND AN EMAIL TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE SENATE using the copy and paste list below.

  • EMAIL THE UNC BOARD OF GOVERNORS: Even if you have already contacted them, email them again to ask whether 17 UNC security heads, in uniform, were lobbying against HB 937 at taxpayer expense.

CONTACT INFO

NC SENATE:

Austin.Allran@ncleg.net, Tom.Apodaca@ncleg.net, Chad.Barefoot@ncleg.net, Tamara.Barringer@ncleg.net, Phil.Berger@ncleg.net, Stan.Bingham@ncleg.net, Dan.Blue@ncleg.net, Andrew.Brock@ncleg.net, Harry.Brown@ncleg.net, Peter.Brunstetter@ncleg.net, Angela.Bryant@ncleg.net, Ben.Clark@ncleg.net, Daniel.Clodfelter@ncleg.net, Bill.Cook@ncleg.net, David.Curtis@ncleg.net, Warren.Daniel@ncleg.net, Don.Davis@ncleg.net, Jim.Davis@ncleg.net, Joel.Ford@ncleg.net, Thom.Goolsby@ncleg.net, Malcolm.Graham@ncleg.net, Rick.Gunn@ncleg.net, Kathy.Harrington@ncleg.net, Fletcher.Hartsell@ncleg.net, Ralph.Hise@ncleg.net, Neal.Hunt@ncleg.net, Brent.Jackson@ncleg.net, Clark.Jenkins@ncleg.net, Ellie.Kinnaird@ncleg.net, Floyd.McKissick@ncleg.net, Gene.McLaurin@ncleg.net, Wesley.Meredith@ncleg.net, Martin.Nesbitt@ncleg.net, Buck.Newton@ncleg.net, Earline.Parmon@ncleg.net, Louis.Pate@ncleg.net, Ron.Rabin@ncleg.net, Bill.Rabon@ncleg.net, Shirley.Randleman@ncleg.net, Gladys.Robinson@ncleg.net, Bob.Rucho@ncleg.net, Norman.Sanderson@ncleg.net, Dan.Soucek@ncleg.net, Josh.Stein@ncleg.net, Jeff.Tarte@ncleg.net, Jerry.Tillman@ncleg.net, Tommy.Tucker@ncleg.net, Trudy.Wade@ncleg.net, Michael.Walters@ncleg.net, Mike.Woodard@ncleg.net

UNC BOARD OF GOVERNORS:

peter.hans@nelsonmullins.com, renee@fairproductsinc.com, ann.goodnight@sas.com, lbissette@mwbavl.com, maedog@bellsouth.net, pgb0902@aol.com, lbuff@embarqmail.com, president@uncasg.org, wcdavenport@nc.rr.com, jdeal@dealmoseley.com, phildixon@daglawyers.com, jfennebresque@mcguirewoods.com, flood_dudley@bellsouth.net, paulfulton@triad.rr.com, hgage@ec.rr.com, thomasharrelson@aol.com, lawyers@pinehurst.net, leroylail@hickoryfurniture.com, amax2@suddenlink.net, emcmahan@littleonline.com, charles.mercer@nelsonmullins.com, fgm@millsconstructionco.com, bmitchell@wcsr.com, hnath45@yahoo.com, powersd@rjrt.com, tarheel111@att.net, raiford@trasklandco.com, pdwalk@charter.net, brad.wilson@bcbsnc.com, david@youngandassociates.com

DELIVER THIS MESSAGE

TO THE NC SENATE:
(Suggested subject: “Please pass HB 937 as is”)

Dear Senator,

I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your efforts in moving HB 937 through the Judiciary Committee today, clearing the way for a full vote on the Senate floor soon. Your commitment to the safety of all North Carolinians is to be commended. Each one of you, especially Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger, Senate Rules Chairman Tom Apodaca and Senator Buck Newton has worked closely with Grass Roots North Carolina to insure that my safety should not be compromised due to pressure from several anti-gun organizations as well as their unfounded fears.

The North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association opposes repeal of the archaic, redundant and arbitrary handgun purchase permit system which is, in fact, a leftover Jim Crow law. The facts are, however, that: (1) Background checks for handgun purchases will continue to be done, as they are in other states, via the National Instant Background Check System (NICS); and (2) Sheriffs currently impose a broad array of obstructions, including notarized character affidavits (3 in Orange County), limiting permits issued to as few as five per year, and extra checks (and fees) from local clerks of court. Worse, because there is no way of tracking permits once issued, people convicted of crimes after receiving a permit can use them to bypass NICS. This system is dangerous and needs to be repealed.

UNC President Tom Ross would have us believe that his safety record is sufficient to belay the fears of his staff and students, but when we take a closer look at his actual record, we find it severely lacking. Not only is he currently being investigated for covering up the actual number of attacks across many campuses across the state, he also sent 17 of his campus police units, in uniform at tax payer expense, to the NC General Assembly to oppose HB 937.

Despite the coordinated pressure against HB 937, you stood strong and carried out the heroic passage of true “common sense” legislation. I now look forward to HB 937 going to a full vote on the Senate floor soon, and having it passed as is without weakening it through amendments or procedure. I will continue to monitor this legislation via alerts from Grass Roots North Carolina.

Respectfully,

TO UNC BOARD OF GOVERNORS:
(Suggested subject: “Don’t use my money to lobby against my rights”)

Members of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors:

Today, the North Carolina Senate Judiciary Committee approved HB 937 and it will soon be taken to the Senate floor for a full vote. I would like to ask each of you if UNC security chiefs were testifying, in uniform, while on the payroll, and therefore at taxpayer expense, while expressing their “concerns” about HB 937 to the Senate Judiciary I Committee. Is this the case?

I support higher education, but I cannot support a university system which fails to protect students from violent predators, actively hides the fact, and then opposes legislation which might deter such predation.

Accordingly, I will not contribute money to any UNC or supporting institution — and will advise alumni and others to do the same — until UNC withdraws its opposition to HB 937. Please advise me of your position on this issue.

Respectfully,

We in North Carolina are very fortunate to see our gun rights expanding at a time when they are contracting like it is in places like California, Connecticut, New Jersey, Colorado, and New York. Bills like this and support for them don’t happen overnight. Just like the Castle Doctrine, much of what is in this bill has taken years of patient effort by gun rights groups like GRNC to make it a reality. Since ammo is hard to find anyway, why not take the cost of a box of ammo and send them a donation. You may also want to send the NRA-ILA a little bit as well for their efforts at the Federal level.

UPDATE: According to the bill’s record on the NC General Assembly website, three amendments were considered, two passed, and the amended bill passed its Second Reading. No roll call vote is recorded so it may be that they are late reporting it or that it passed on a voice vote.  The amendments that passed came from the pro-gun side.

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Time For Pressure On Republicans In The NC Senate To Pass HB937

June 11, 2013 by 1 Comment

Grass Roots North Carolina says now is the time to pass HB937 – the omnibus gun rights bills that includes restaurant carry – through the North Carolina Senate. The bill could go from the Senate Judiciary I Committee as early as this week. GRNC is warning about efforts to strip out the provision that would allow concealed carry holders to store their firearms in lock vehicles while on university and community college campuses. This provision is getting a lot of push-back from UNC System President Tom Ross.

From GRNC:


Continue The Fight To Pass HB 937

Push now for HB 937 Senate hearing!

Your continued vigilance helped carry HB 937 through the NC House last month despite coordinated efforts to kill the bill before it could pass to the NC Senate, where it may soon receive a committee hearing. We must insure that the Judiciary Committee members know that you are expecting to pass as is, without key provisions such as Campus Carry being removed!

The Senate Judiciary I Committee now has a chance to send HB 937 to the Senate Floor for a full vote as early as this week. Despite efforts to derail the bill through coordinated attacks from UNC President Tom Ross and others, HB 937 is now closer than ever to bringing several real changes designed to enhance the safety of all of North Carolina’s residents.

UNC President Tom Ross continues attacks on HB 937

University of North Carolina president Tom Ross continues to fight campus carry provisions of House Bill 937. As you recall, the bill, which passed the NC House and now resides in the Senate, contains restaurant carry, a limited measure for guns in locked vehicles on state university campuses, and other pro-gun initiatives.

When HB 937 received its hearing in a House Judiciary Committee meeting, representatives for NC State testified that it would hinder campus security’s efforts to “protect” students, echoing opposition previously expressed to the media by Ross. Just hours after their testimony, however, a student was raped outside the NCSU Free Expression Tunnel and, two days later, another was robbed at knife point near Reynolds Coliseum, demonstrating clearly that UNC can’t “protect” students, who must therefore be allowed to protect themselves.

Given his inability to protect even his own students on college campuses across the state, North Carolinians cannot sit back and do nothing while Tom Ross and others try to stop the passage of this bill. We must act now!

New GRNC radio spots promote HB 937

GRNC has launched a new round of radio spots in Raleigh, Greensboro and Charlotte targeting NC House Speaker Thom Tillis (R-Mecklenburg, GRNC ****) and NC Senate leader Phil Berger (R-Guilford, Randolph, ****), both of whom are potential challengers for US Senator Kay Hagan (*), challenging them to show support for gun rights by passing HB 937 THIS YEAR and WITHOUT WEAKENING AMENDMENTS. To hear the spots, CLICK HERE or go to: http://grnc.org/home/grnc-in-the-media/485-hb-937-radio-spot

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!

  • CONTACT REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF THE SENATE JUDICIARY I COMMITTEE using the copy-and-paste list below and ask them to pass HB 937 to the Senate floor without removing key provisions such as Campus Carry.


  • CONTACT UNC’s BOARD OF GOVERNORS using the copy-and-paste list below and let them know you don’t appreciate Ross using his left-wing politics to oppose legislation which stands to reduce the significant problem of violent crime on UNC campuses.

  • CONTACT YOUR NC STATE SENATOR: Let them know you want campus carry kept in HB 937. To find your state senator, CLICK HERE or go to: http://www.ncleg.net/representation/WhoRepresentsMe.aspx where you may scroll to the NC Senate section, enter your address and then click on the district number which comes up.

  • HELP FUND HB 937 RADIO SPOTS: Please consider making an additional contribution to fund the radio campaign by CLICKING HERE or going to: http://www.grnc.org/join-grnc/contribute

CONTACT INFO

North Carolina Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans:

Thom.Goolsby@ncleg.net, Buck.Newton@ncleg.net, Peter.Brunstetter@ncleg.net, Tom.Apodaca@ncleg.net, Tamara.Barringer@ncleg.net, Harry.Brown@ncleg.net, Kathy.Harrington@ncleg.net, Bob.Rucho@ncleg.net, Norman.Sanderson@ncleg.net, Dan.Soucek@ncleg.net, Jerry.Tillman@ncleg.net, Trudy.Wade@ncleg.net

UNC Board of Governors:

peter.hans@nelsonmullins.com, renee@fairproductsinc.com, ann.goodnight@sas.com, lbissette@mwbavl.com, maedog@bellsouth.net, pgb0902@aol.com, lbuff@embarqmail.com, president@uncasg.org, wcdavenport@nc.rr.com, jdeal@dealmoseley.com, phildixon@daglawyers.com, jfennebresque@mcguirewoods.com, flood_dudley@bellsouth.net, paulfulton@triad.rr.com, hgage@ec.rr.com, thomasharrelson@aol.com, lawyers@pinehurst.net, leroylail@hickoryfurniture.com, amax2@suddenlink.net, emcmahan@littleonline.com, charles.mercer@nelsonmullins.com, fgm@millsconstructionco.com, bmitchell@wcsr.com, hnath45@yahoo.com, powersd@rjrt.com, tarheel111@att.net, raiford@trasklandco.com, pdwalk@charter.net, brad.wilson@bcbsnc.com, david@youngandassociates.com

DELIVER THIS MESSAGE

TO THE SENATE JUDICIARY I COMMITTEE:
(Suggested subject line: “Please do not weaken HB 937”)

Dear Senator,

As a legal, gun-owning resident of North Carolina, I am deeply concerned that anti-gun groups will attempt to coordinate their message and convince some members of the Judiciary Committee to remove key provisions of HB 937, or weaken them through various amendments and procedural diversions. It is imperative that HB 937 pass as is.

We must be able to protect ourselves while we are in public, to include concealed handgun permit-holders who are students attending class on college campuses across the state. Each week seemingly brings us another reminder of how vulnerable we are as we read about yet more attacks at the hands of criminals. Our students even within our own state’s educational system are being attacked in record numbers, and yet the response from campus officials remains indifferent, at best.

I urge you to pass HB 937 without delay, and without removing key provisions within the bill such as Campus Carry. I will be monitoring this issue via Grass Roots North Carolina alerts.

Respectfully,

TO THE UNC BOARD OF GOVERNORS:
(Suggested subject line: “No money for UNC”)

Members of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors:

University of North Carolina president Tom Ross continues to marshal opposition to House Bill 937 (“Amend Various Firearms Laws”) over its limited provision to allow concealed handgun permit-holders, who have undergone training and background checks, proving themselves sane, sober and law-abiding, to keep firearms in locked vehicles on college campuses.

Ironically, only hours after North Carolina State University officials testified to the North Carolina House that the bill would hinder their ability to “protect” students, yet another student was raped, this time outside the Free Expression Tunnel. Two days later, a student was robbed at knife point near Reynolds Coliseum.

Sadly, these are not isolated cases: Both UNC Chapel Hill and Elizabeth City State University are under investigation for deliberately reporting violent crime, including sexual assault. Indeed, even by these under-reported measures, one source cites thirty-five sexual assaults at UNC Chapel Hill over just three years, placing the university 50.1% above the national average for such institutions.

Is this the sort of “protection” Mr. Ross envisions? Is it what you envision?

Controlled, multi-variate research indicates that concealed handgun laws deter murder, rape and aggravated assault. Indeed, research by John R. Lott and William Landes indicate that such laws are the only effective measure in deterring multiple victim public homicide such as occurred at Virginia Tech.

Ross appears to be allowing his political ideology to interfere with rational public policy: His position as former director of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation enabled him to promote various hard-left causes, including funding the state’s primary gun control group, North Carolinians Against Gun Violence.

Moreover, I am shocked that a rape victim at UNC Chapel Hill is being threatened with expulsion for even naming her rapist. Is it the intent of UNC to stifle its failure to protect its students at all costs?

I support higher education, but I cannot support a university system which fails to protect students from violent predators, actively hides the fact, and then opposes legislation which might deter such predation.

Accordingly, I will not contribute money to any UNC or supporting institution — and will advise alumni and others to do the same — until UNC withdraws its opposition to HB 937. Please advise me of your position on this issue.

Respectfully,

Uncategorized

GRNC – Hagan Says Your Vote Doesn’t Matter

April 16, 2013 by 1 Comment

A number of people who called Sen. Kay Hagan’s office today were told by staff she planned to vote for the Manchin-Toomey amendment according to Grass Roots North Carolina. I can’t really say I’m surprised given the reports that she is one of the more frequent guests aboard Manchin’s boat Black Tie. I wouldn’t be surprised if she also uses the CCRKBA endorsement of Manchin-Toomey amendment as cover.

GRNC has issued another alert regarding Hagan’s position along with a call for people to demonstrate outside Sen. Richard Burr’s district office in Winston-Salem tomorrow.

From their alert:

Sen. Kay Hagan vows support for universal gun registration!

US Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC, GRNC-1) plans to vote for the Toomey-Manchin “compromise” amendment to S. 649 which will come up for a vote possibly as early as tomorrow. After months of sitting on the fence and testing the political waters, Sen. Hagan and her office staffers are no longer hiding behind vague comments as to her position on the bill. Several GRNC members have called Senator Hagan’s office today and the response from her staff was united: Senator Hagan will vote for the Toomey-Manchin amendment to S. 649. When several GRNC members pointed out over the phone that it may cost Hagan their votes in her re-election campaign next year, the answer from her office was simple: “you probably wouldn’t vote for her anyway”…

Toomey-Manchin “compromise” not what it appears

While some pro-gun advocates are singing the praises of the amendment, others such as David Kopel are pointing out the deceptions within. In an article published today, Kopel makes a factual observation which exposes the amendment for what it is: a complete and total sellout. In his article, Kopel makes two key points:

1. The provision which claims to outlaw national gun registration in fact authorizes a national gun registry.

2. The provision which is supposed to strengthen existing federal law protecting the interstate transportation of personal firearms in fact cripples that protection.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV, GRNC-0) is trying to push S. 649 through with no open debate, and Senator Hagan seems more than willing to vote for the bill without actually reading it and with no regard to how her constituents feel about the amendment or the bill itself. As we suspected from the beginning, her mind is made up- even before all the facts are known about the bill.

Stand with GRNC at Sen. Burr’s district office to voice your displeasure

On Tuesday, April 16 at 10:00 AM, GRNC will be holding a demonstration at Senator Richard Burr’s district office in Winston-Salem to deliver the message that his sellout by voting for S. 659 will not be tolerated, and that if he votes for the Toomey-Manchin “compromise” described below, we will work to remove him from office. As always, please “dress for the press” — no offensive signs or clothing. Please note that firearms at demonstrations are prohibited by law. Suggested themes for signs: “Richard Burr: 2nd Amendment Sellout?” and “Burr: Vote ‘NO’ on Toomey-Manchin”. Please RSVP with number of people attending to: Volunteer@GRNC.org Yes, it’s a work day: BE THERE ANYWAY!

Burr’s office is at: 2000 West 1st St., Suite 508, Winston-Salem, NC 27104. BRING LOTS OF FRIENDS! It you live too far away from this office, visit other district offices, which can be found at: http://www.burr.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!

  • Call Senator Kay Hagan Tuesday between 9am-11am and voice your displeasure over her intended vote.


  • Call Senator Richard Burr and press him to vote “no” on the Toomey-Manchin amendment.

  • Attend the demonstration at Sen Burr’s office on Tuesday morning at 10:00 am!

CONTACT INFO

Senator Kay Hagan (202) 224-6342
Senator Richard Burr (202) 224-3154

DELIVER THIS MESSAGE

Suggested Subject: “Vote “No” on Toomey-Manchin Amendment”

Sample phone message for Sens. Burr and Hagan:

Dear Senator:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he will bring S. 649, the most recent scheme for universal gun registration, to the Senate floor after Easter. Be aware that I consider none of the gun control proposals in the Senate to be acceptable, and will not accept “compromise” on the issue.

Nor am I fooled by procedural machinations such as trying to amend other legislation to include a ban on so-called “assault weapons” or standard capacity magazines, either for the purpose of slipping such legislation through with less opposition, or for the purpose of giving “cover votes” to candidates who are weak on the Second Amendment.

In fact, I expect you to vote “no” to the Toomey-Manchin amendment, as well as S. 649 when it comes to the Senate floor for a vote.

I look forward to your support, and will closely monitor your actions via Grass Roots North Carolina legislative alerts.

Respectfully,

Uncategorized

GRNC Refuses To Pull Punches

April 15, 2013 by

After hearing that CCRKBA endorsed Manchin-Toomey today, it is refreshing to see an organization stand firm. Grass Roots North Carolina is not backing down in their opposition to any form of gun control including the lesser background checks of Manchin-Toomey.

From their release:

Stop Toomey-Manchin Sellout NOW!

– Make calls to sellouts who voted for ‘universal gun registration’
– Show up at Sen. Burr’s district office to voice your displeasure

DEMONSTRATION AT BURR’S OFFICE:

On Tuesday, April 16 at 10:00 AM, GRNC will be holding a demonstration at Senator Richard Burr’s district office in Winston-Salem to deliver the message that his sellout by voting for S. 659 will not be tolerated, and that if he votes for the Toomey-Manchin “compromise” described below, we will work to remove him from office. As always, please “dress for the press” — no offensive signs or clothing. Please note that firearms at demonstrations are prohibited by law. Suggested themes for signs: “Richard Burr: 2nd Amendment Sellout?” and “Burr: Vote ‘NO’ on Toomey-Manchin”. Please RSVP with number of people attending to: Volunteer@GRNC.org Yes, it’s a work day: BE THERE ANYWAY!

Burr’s office is at: 2000 West 1st St., Suite 508, Winston-Salem, NC 27104. BRING LOTS OF FRIENDS! It you live too far away from this office, visit other district offices, which can be found at: http://www.burr.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Update: Vote is on Tuesday

On Thursday, both Senators Richard Burr (R) and Kay Hagan (D) sold out gun owners by voting for the “motion to proceed” which will bring “universal gun registration” bill S. 649 to the Senate floor for debate this Tuesday. Hagan has been doing her best to camouflage her stance on the issue, while Burr had previously said he would support the Rand Paul filibuster, before switching sides and voting to proceed. Burr’s claims that he did so only when promised an open amendment process ring false: The most certain way to kill the bill would have been to deny it a floor vote.

‘See a shrink, lose your guns’

Sen. Harry Reid’s original version of S. 649 would criminalize a huge array of lawful behaviors such as loaning a gun to your mother, loaning a gun to a friend to hunt, or even leaving one at home with your spouse for more than 7 days.

The first amendment to be offered, on Tuesday, is the “compromise” worked out by Sens. Pat Toomey (R-PA) and Joe Manchin (D-WV). Although you’re being told it is “better” because it protections for gun owners, those “protections” have holes you could drive a truck through.

As is invariably the case, this “compromise” defines a process in which you lose slightly less than under the original proposal, but you still lose! Worse, the Toomey-Manchin measure described by Gun Owners of America as “See a shrink, lose your guns” is a very real threat.

Says “US News & World Report”: “Toomey and Manchin’s legislation clarifies that doctors can enter mental health records into the national background check system without it being a violation of privacy laws.”

Similar measure triggers confiscations in NY

Thanks to the vagueness of Title 18 of the US Code of Regulations, a single doctor’s report could potentially trigger the loss of your gun rights without any type of hearing or due process. If you want to see how that works, check New York State, which recently adopted a similar proposal. As reported by Fox News and others, authorities have begun confiscating guns from lawful gun owners — in some cases, even the wrong gun owners.

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!

Vote likely Tuesday

Burr says he opposes the Toomey-Manchin amendment…but he also said he would filibuster the S. 649 motion to proceed, and we all know how that worked out. Hagan probably wants to vote for it and then claim it as a pro-Second Amendment vote. It is not.

If the Toomey-Manchin amendment passes on Tuesday, it will hurt our chances for killing S. 649. Stopping Toomey-Manchin will probably kill the bill. Accordingly, you need to deliver a LOUD & CLEAR message to both Burr and Hagan (and Republican turncoats from other states) that if they vote for the Toomey-Manchin amendment, they should start looking for a new job.

  • EMAIL & CALL Sen. Richard Burr at: (202) 224-3154 Contact Sen Burr


  • EMAIL & CALL Sen. Kay Hagan at: (202) 224-6342 Contact Sen Hagan

  • CALL: Republican sellouts who voted for the S. 649 motion to proceed

CONTACT INFO

New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte (202) 224-3324
Georgia Sen. Saxby Chambliss (202) 224-3521
Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn (202) 224-5754
Maine Sen. Susan Collins (202) 224-2523
Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake (202) 224-4521
Georgia Sen. Johnny Isakson (202) 224-3643
Arizona Sen. John McCain (202) 224-2235
Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker (202) 224-6253
North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven (202) 224-2551
Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk (202) 224-2854
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham (202) 224-5972
Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander (202) 224-4944
Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker (202) 224-3344
Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey (202) 224-4254
Nevada Sen. Dean Heller (202) 224-6244

DELIVER THIS MESSAGE

Suggested Subject: “Stop Toomey-Manchin Sellout NOW!”

Dear Senator:

Your vote for the motion to proceed on S. 649 will be forever reflected as a vote against the Second Amendment. What happens next is up to you: Either you can mitigate the damage by voting against the Toomey-Manchin sellout, or you can once again betray gun owners and the Constitution.

Understand that I do not consider this “compromise” to be anything other than a sellout of Second Amendment interests. The supposed protections if promises gun owners are false, and its dangers to gun rights are very real. As gun owners have told you before: We will not compromise on this issue.

In fact, if you continue to vote against gun rights, I encourage you to look for another job; in your next election, gun owners will work to remove you. I will continue to monitor your performance via Grass Roots North Carolina legislative alerts.

Respectfully,

Uncategorized

GRNC On S.374 And S.649

April 8, 2013 by

Grass Roots North Carolina issued an alert last night regarding the pressure that is being put on Sen. Kay Hagan and five Republican senators to support gun control. They note the ads being run by MAIG and petitions being gathered by OFA. GRNC has some suggested messages to send to Hagan and to the other senators.

From GRNC:


MAIG & Obama radicals pressuring Hagan & others

As Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid vows to bring S. 649, the latest “universal background check” (read that “registration”) bill to a vote as early as this week, Bloomberg’s “Mayors Against Illegal Guns,” Obama’s “Organizing for Action, and the media have begun a full court press to pass whatever gun control they can foist on the American public.

In fact, North Carolinians “Against Gun Control” just dropped 39,000 petitions, presumably gathered by Obama’s radicals at “Organizing for Action,” on Hagan. In response, the National Coalition to Stop the Gun Ban forged by GRNC and others is running a campaign against Hagan and 5 other senators.

S. 374 & S. 649 would make you a criminal

There is nothing benign about “universal background checks,” which are gun control code words for “universal gun registration.” Not only would S. 649 open the door for registration, it and similar bills under consideration would make it a 5-year federal felony to:

  • Leave town for more than 7 days, and leave your wife, partner, or roommate at home with your guns;

  • Lend a gun to a friend to take shooting or to go hunting;

  • Loan a gun to your mother if she lives at a different residence;

  • Hand a gun to someone at a gun club which is not a shooting range;

  • Teach someone to shoot on your own land, if you hand them the gun; or

  • Fail to report a gun as lost or stolen within 24 hours, even if you are on a hunting trip deep in the woods and are unable to do so.

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!

  • CALL & EMAIL SEN. KAY HAGAN IMMEDIATELY at 202-224-6342 and by CLICKING HERE or going to: http://www.hagan.senate.gov/contact/ and deliver the message below.

  • CALL @ EMAIL Sen. Richard Burr at 202-224-3154 and by CLICKING HERE or going to: http://burr.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.ContactForm and deliver the message below.

  • Call and email senate Republicans Pat Toomey (PA), Chuck Grassley (IA), Tom Coburn (OK), and Mitch McConnell (KY)

  • DONATE TO GRNC: In the next two days, GRNC will be sending 30,000 automated telephone alerts to gun-owning voters. THIS DOESN’T COME CHEAP. Please help with the effort by CLICKING HERE or going to: http://www.grnc.org/join-grnc/contribute

CONTACT INFORMATION

Sen. Pat Toomey (PA), 202-224-4254, email HERE or at: http://www.toomey.senate.gov/?p=contact

Sen. Chuck Grassley (IA), 202-224–3744, email HERE or at: http://www.grassley.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm

Sen. Tom Coburn (OK), 202-224-5754, email HERE or at: http://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contactform

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (KY), 202-224-2541, email HERE or at: http://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=ContactForm

DELIVER THIS MESSAGE

To Hagan:

Suggested Subject: Don’t Support Universal Background Checks/Registration

Dear Senator Hagan:

You recently expressed support for the type of “universal background checks” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid plans to bring to a floor vote as early as this week. You’ve also been pressured by Michael Bloomberg’s misnamed group, “Mayors Against Illegal Guns” and President Obama’s “Organizing for Action.”

But I live in North Carolina. They don’t. I am one of the 300,000 gun-owning North Carolina voters who will follow the recommendations of Grass Roots North Carolina and the 39-member “National Coalition to Stop the Gun Ban” they have formed.

More importantly, *I* am the one who will work to remove you from office if you fail to: (1) Vote against any “motion to proceed” on S. 374, S. 649 or whatever other thinly disguised gun registration bill hits the Senate floor, and (2) Support efforts to filibuster such legislation.

I would suggest you act like your political career depends on it, because it does. I will be closely monitoring your actions via Grass Roots North Carolina legislative alerts.

Respectfully,

To Senate Republicans:

Suggested Subject: Don’t Support Universal Background Checks/Registration

Dear Senator:

I am one of the hundreds of thousands of gun-owners who follow recommendations of the 39-member “National Coalition to Stop the Gun Ban”. They have formed to oppose any and all gun control.

More importantly, *I* am the one who will work to remove you from office if you fail to: (1) Vote against any “motion to proceed” on S. 374, S. 649 or whatever other thinly disguised gun registration bill hits the Senate floor, and (2) Support efforts to filibuster such legislation.

The National Coalition to Stop the Gun Ban will not accept any “compromise” on competing universal gun registration schemes — not between Sens. Charles Schumer and Tom Coburn, not between Sen. Joe Manchin and the NRA, and not the “alternative” being put together by Sen. Chuck Grassley. We have long ago learned that “compromise” in the gun debate defines a process in which we lose less freedom than under our opposition’s original proposal, but we still lose.

Uncategorized

North Carolina SB 408 – Lawful Citizens Self Protection Act

March 31, 2013 by 3 Comments

North Carolina State Senators Jeff Tarte (R-Mecklenburg), Andrew Brock (R-Davie), and Shirley Randleman (R-Stokes) have introduced SB – Lawful Citizens Self Protection Act. This bill would expand where Concealed Handgun Permit holders could carry and includes a employer parking lot provision.

Grass Roots North Carolina issued an alert today on the bill asking North Carolinians to contact their state senator and to thank Sen. Jeff Tarte for his leadership on this issue. Sen. Tarte is a freshman who ran on a platform of protecting and advancing gun rights in the state.

Senate bill would remove certain restrictions for CHP holders…

Last week, Senator Jeff Tarte (R-Meckenburg, GRNC ****) along with Sens Andrew Brock (R-Davie, Iredell, Rowan, GRNC ****) and Shirley Randleman (R-Stokes, Surry, Wilkes, GRNC ****) became the primary sponsors for SB 408, the “Lawful Citizens Self Protection Act”. The bill would expand areas in which lawful Concealed Handgun Permit holders may carry or keep firearms for self protection. The bill makes changes primarily to G.S. 14-269.3 which currently restricts all guns from being carried in establishments where alcohol is sold and consumed, and G.S. 14-277.2(c) which restricts all forms of carry at parades, picket lines, funeral processions and demonstrations.

Another change within SB 408 establishes the legality of CHP holders to lawfully keep and secure their firearms in locked vehicles at their places of work. The bill would prevent business owners from establishing policies which would prevent CHP holders from locking their weapons in their vehicles while they are at work, enhancing their ability to protect themselves if the need arises.

GRNC applauds SB 408’s sponsors, Sens. Jeff Tarte, Andrew Brock and Shirley Randleman for boldly stepping up for the rights of gun owners across North Carolina. This bill, along with others introduced in the past few weeks, will greatly enhance all of our abilities to legally defend ourselves in the case of an ever-growing public threat. We urge you to contact the NC Senate Leadership and your State Senator and let them know that you expect their full support in passing SB 408 in short order.

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!

  • Immediately email and call your NC state Senator and ask them to not only support SB 408 with their vote, but also to ask Senate leadership to give it an expeditious committee hearing. Find contact information for your NC state senator, CLICK HERE or go to: http://www.ncleg.net/representation/WhoRepresentsMe.aspx


  • Thank Senator Tarte for his leadership: Rarely do freshmen stand up so boldly for gun rights. Those who do should receive the recognition they deserve. Contact Sen. Tarte at: jeff.tarte@ncleg.net

DELIVER THIS MESSAGE

Suggested Subject: “Support SB 408, Lawful Citizens Self Protection Act!”

Dear Senator ________:

Please support Senate Bill 408, the “Lawful Citizens Self Protection Act”, not only by giving it your vote on the Senate floor, but by contacting Senate leadership to ask for an expeditious hearing. The bill would expand our concealed handgun law into establishments where our families visit every day, as well as providing a resource of protection at our places of employment. Despite predictions of mayhem, states like Virginia which have adopted restaurant carry have exhibited virtually no problems.

Since inception of our law in 1995, concealed handgun permit-holders have spent eighteen years proving themselves sane, sober and law-abiding. With violence creeping into our schools at an alarming rate, we must have the ability to protect our children from further tragic events. While law abiding citizens stand by virtually helpless, our children are being slaughtered. We must have the ability to protect ourselves and our families. I will be monitoring action on this bill via Grass Roots North Carolina legislative alerts.

Respectfully,

Uncategorized

Restaurant Carry In North Carolina

March 21, 2013 by 3 Comments

North Carolina HB 17 went before the House Judiciary A Committee yesterday. That bill would provide for the confidentiality of pistol purchase permit and concealed handgun permit data. It would have also legalized concealed carry by non-drinking patrons in restaurants and eating establishments. The Judiciary A Committee saw fit to pass a substitute amendment which dropped restaurant carry. Word coming to Grass Roots North Carolina is that this change was at the behest of Speaker Thom Tillis (R-Mecklenburg) who may have higher aspirations in 2014.

GRNC is asking that people contact both Speaker Tillis and their own representative to ask that restaurant carry be restored to HB 17.

Restaurant carry is down but not out …

The North Carolina House Judiciary A Subcommittee today stripped restaurant carry out of House Bill 17, leaving only the language which would remove concealed handgun and handgun purchase permits from public record, before passing the bill out of committee. What remains now moves to the floor.

Both bill sponsor Representative Justin Burr (R-Montgomery, Stanly, GRNC ****) and Judiciary subcommittee chair Rep. John Blust (R-Guilford, ****) made it clear that the Proposed Committee Substitute used for the deed was not of their making, but rather from “higher up” — the “higher up” in question being Speaker Thom Tillis (R-Mecklenburg, ****) himself. Said Tillis by email: “We have delivered legislation to the Senate [in the last session] and we look forward to the Senate responding in kind this session.”

While Tillis is correct in noting that during the 2011-2012 session, the House under his leadership passed HB 111 for restaurant carry, only to have it stalled by Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger (R-Guilford, Rockingham, ****), numerous House members have complained about the lack of movement in potentially contentious legislation, further speculating it may be related to Tillis’ aspirations to the U.S. Senate.

Representatives from Tillis’ office deny this, of course, noting they have already moved contentious legislation and allowing that they might move restaurant carry if either the Senate says they too will act on the bill, or if it is received from the Senate. Below you will see our recommendation that you contact both your House representative and Speaker Tillis to tell them to move restaurant carry, but please understand the Speaker has not dismissed the idea, so do not treat him as an opponent (yet).

SB 342: “Amend Gun Laws”

Meanwhile, restaurant carry lives in the Senate. Introduced by Judiciary Co-Chair Senator Buck Newton (R-, Johnston, Nash, Wilson, ****) and sponsored Dan Soucek; and Jeff Tarte; (primary) and Tom Apodaca; Andrew C. Brock; Warren Daniel; Ronald J. Rabin; and Shirley B. Randleman (cosponsors), the bill encompasses not only the restaurant carry language drafted by GRNC and Rep. Mark Hilton in the last session, but also a “cleanup” of the parks carry language currently being tortured by municipalities to ban guns in whole parks. Given that the Senate stalled restaurant carry in HB 111 last year, the fact that Judiciary Co-Chair Newton and Rules Chair Tom Apodaca have signed on as sponsors bodes well for the bill. See below for recommendations on action.

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!

NC House:

  • Contact Speaker Thom Tillis at 919-733-3451 and Thom.Tillis@ncleg.net. Once again, Tillis is not yet a lost cause, so BE POLITE.

  • Contact your NC House representative: Tell them to contact Speaker Tillis and remind him that gun owners help put him in his position for the purpose of LEADING on this issue. Have them ask him to return restaurant carry to HB 17. To find your House rep, CLICK HERE or go to: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/representation/WhoRepresentsMe.aspx Once there enter your address into the text box for NC House.


NC Senate:


DELIVER THIS MESSAGE

NC House:

Dear Speaker Tillis:

While I appreciate that the North Carolina House, under your leadership, moved House Bill 111 for restaurant carry in the previous session, only to see it die in the Senate, I also expect you to realize that gun owners played a huge role in making North Carolina the only battleground state to repel the Obama political machine and elect conservative, pro-gun leaders.

We elected you to lead; now we expect you to deliver. Now is not the time to dither about which chamber should be the first to move what is a top priority for North Carolina gun voters, but instead to lead decisively and by example. That means returning restaurant carry to House Bill 17.

I will spare you the facts about concealed handgun permit-holders being model law-abiding citizens: You already know them. Instead, my message is this: Please move restaurant carry.

I will be monitoring your actions via Grass Roots North Carolina legislative alerts.

Uncategorized

Permit Confidentiality And Restaurant Carry Set For NC House Hearings

March 18, 2013 by 1 Comment

HB 17, the Gun Permits/Restaurants and Confidentiality, comes before the North Carolina House’s Judiciary A Committee on Wednesday for hearings. Both parts of this bill – confidentiality and restaurant carry – are important. Grass Roots North Carolina has heard a rumor that the committee might strip out the restaurant carry provisions. Restaurant carry passed the House in the previous session of the General Assembly but died in the Senate for lack of a floor vote.

From GRNC:


Ensure that restaurant carry survives!

This critical pro-feedom legislation will solve two significant problems facing North Carolina gun owners: (1) Not being able to defend ourselves and our families in restaurants that serve alcohol, and (2) Being subject to the release of personal information by hostile media, as was done previously in both NC and NY.

HB-17 is currently residing within House Judiciary Subcommittee A. It is scheduled to be heard this Wednesday. Rumors suggest there are efforts to strip out restaurant carry provisions. We must MAKE SURE this DOES NOT HAPPEN!

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!

  • Quickly Email Republican Members of Judiciary Committee A. Tell them to oppose all efforts to weaken the bill by eliminating the restaurant carry provisions.

  • Plan to Attend the Judiciary Meeting. Show your Representatives in person that you strongly support restaurant carry and that you strongly oppose the release of personal information about concealed carry permit holders!

CONTACT INFORMATION

Copy and paste email addresses for House Judiciary Committee A: John.Blust@ncleg.net, Jacqueline.Schaffer@ncleg.net, Dean.Arp@ncleg.net, Hugh.Blackwell@ncleg.net, Justin.Burr@ncleg.net, Leo.Daughtry@ncleg.net, Jon.Hardister@ncleg.net, Julia.Howard@ncleg.net, Allen.McNeill@ncleg.net, Bob.Steinburg@ncleg.net

To attend the Judiciary Committee A meeting, follow these directions on GRNC.org: http://grnc.org/directions-to-the-general-assembly

DELIVER THIS MESSAGE

Dear Member of Judiciary Committee A:

HB-17, “Gun Permits/Restaurants & Confidentiality” is a critical piece of pro-freedom legislation that will expand the area in our state where law-abiding citizens can effectively protect themselves and their families.

By preventing the release of personal information, HB-17 will also protect law-abiding holders of concealed carry permits from unconscionable attacks by hostile media. As you may know, in other states the release of this type of sensitive personal information has resulted in law-abiding gun owners being targeted by criminals.

I expect you to support this important bill entirely, without any weakening amendments. Efforts to strip out any element related to restaurant carry are unacceptable.

I will be closely monitoring your actions via Grass Roots North Carolina legislative alerts.

Respectfully,

Uncategorized

NC Handgun Permit Modernization Act To Be Introduced

March 11, 2013 by

According to Grass Roots North Carolina, Rep. Jonathan Jordan (R-Ashe & Watauga) will be introducing this week the Handgun Permit Modernization Act. This bill if enacted would do three things: remove redundant mental health checks, stipulate that no additional fees or information could be required over what the state mandates, and reduce processing time from 90 days to 45 days.

In my home county it took me 85 days to obtain my NC Concealed Handgun Permit. This was in 2009 when sheriffs’ offices were swamped with applications. By contrast, the Complementary Spouse applied for her permit in Buncombe County. In addition to fingerprints, training, background check, and the fee, Sheriff Van Duncan (D-Buncombe) required applicants to mail a mental health records release to Mission Hospital and to another mental health agency. While the Complementary Spouse did receive her CHP sooner than I did, it came with extra fees. This bill would change that.

GRNC is asking people to do two things: contact the General Assembly leadership and to contact their own legislator to push this bill. Their alert with more info is below.


Remove Obstructions To Concealed Handgun Permits

Over the past two years, many of you have told GRNC that some sheriffs are obstructing concealed handgun permits by either delaying issuance or asking for intrusive personal medical information. Others are imposing extra requirements such as photos, character affidavits and fees for redundant criminal background checks.

1. GRNC has listened. Thanks to Representative Jonathan Jordan (R-Ashe, Watauga, GRNC ****), this week will see introduction of the “Handgun Permit Modernization Act,” which will:

Remove redundant mental health checks: Our CHP law predates the computerized National Instant Background Check System, which for several years has included mental health data. Yet NC CHPs continue to be delayed as sheriffs send forms to local mental health facilities. Worse, some sheriffs have begun requiring physicians to “certify” the mental health of applicants.

Stipulate that no additional information or fees may be required: Among the abuses we have seen, sheriffs have had applicants line up with sex offenders for mug shots, while others have required additional background checks (and fees), notarized character affidavits, and even contact information for employers.

Limit permit application processing to 45 days: At present, sheriffs are delaying permits for several weeks due to mental health check delays from local facilities.

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!

Help Rep. Jordan move this bill, which will be filed on Monday:

  • Email NC House Speaker Thom Tillis and Rules Chair Rep. Tim Moore and ask them for a favorable committee assignment for the bill


  • Immediately email and call your representative to the North Carolina House and ask them to co-sponsor this critical legislation

CONTACT INFO

Speaker Thom Tillis: Thom.Tillis@ncleg.net

Rules Chair Rep. Tim Moore: Tim.Moore@ncleg.net

To find your House rep, go to: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/representation/WhoRepresentsMe.aspx

DELIVER THIS MESSAGE

Suggested Subject: “Remove Obstructions To Concealed Handgun Permits”

To Speaker Tillis and Rep. Moore:

Dear ______________:

Please support Representative Jonathan Jordan’s “Handgun Permit Modernization Act” by giving it a favorable committee assignment. Too many obstructions prevent lawful North Carolinians from obtaining concealed handgun permits essential to protecting themselves and their families. Our law was drafted long before creation of the computerized National Instant Background Check System, and long before North Carolina began reporting mental health data to that system. Yet permits are being delayed as sheriffs make archaic, haphazard and redundant inquiries to local mental health clinics.

Some sheriffs are subjecting permit applicants to arbitrary requirements beyond those stipulated by the General Assembly despite the fact that our concealed handgun permit application system was intended to be a uniform statewide process. These extra requirements include “mug shots,” extra fees and even phone calls to employers.

Since inception of the law in 1995, concealed handgun permit-holders have spent eighteen years proving themselves sane, sober and law-abiding, with a rate of permit revocation of less than three tenths of a single percent. By reducing delays in permit issuance, this non-controversial bill may well save lives.

Respectfully,

To your House rep:

Dear _______________:

Please co-sponsor Representative Jonathan Jordan’s “Handgun Permit Modernization Act.” Too many obstructions prevent lawful North Carolinians from obtaining concealed handgun permits essential to protecting themselves and their families. Our law was drafted long before creation of the computerized National Instant Background Check System, and long before North Carolina began reporting mental health data to that system. Yet permits are being delayed as sheriffs make archaic, haphazard and redundant inquiries to local mental health clinics.

Some sheriffs are subjecting permit applicants to arbitrary requirements beyond those stipulated by the General Assembly despite the fact that our concealed handgun permit system was intended to be a uniform statewide process. These extra requirements include “mug shots,” extra fees and even phone calls to employers.

Since inception of the law in 1995, concealed handgun permit-holders have spent eighteen years proving themselves sane, sober and law-abiding, with a rate of permit revocation of less than three tenths of a single percent. By reducing delays in permit issuance, this non-controversial bill may well save lives.

Respectfully,

Uncategorized

On Keeping Gun Permit/CHP Data Private In North Carolina

March 4, 2013 by 2 Comments

There are currently two bills before the North Carolina General Assembly that would keeping pistol purchase permit and Concealed Handgun Permit data private. They are HB 17 which deals with confidentiality and restaurant carry and SB 28 which deals strictly with confidentiality.

Two weeks ago, the Senate Judiciary II Committee held hearings on SB 28. This bill is strongly supported by both gun rights groups such as Grass Roots North Carolina and the NC Sheriffs Association. On the other side is the NC Press Association which wants to keep this data as a public record and accessible through freedom of information requests.

Below is a report on the hearing from the NCSA Weekly Legislative Report dated February 22nd.


Gun Permit Records

The Senate Judiciary II Committee had a lively deba
te this week but didn
‘t vote on a bill that
would exempt pistol purchase permits, concealed
carry permits, and pistol sales records from
disclosure under the public records law. Under Senate Bill 28, the information would be available
only upon request of law enforcement
agencies or by court order, while exempting it from the Public
Records Act. The legislation wouldn’t apply to
long guns and other rifles because those weapons
don’t require purchase permits.

The bill sponsor, Senator Stan Bingham, said th
e measure was aimed at reducing gun thefts.
He argued that criminals may target homes wher
e they know there are guns for the taking. Gregg
Stahl, Director of Government Relations for the
N.C. Sheriffs’ Association, told the legislative
committee that sheriffs across the state have also
heard from residents w
ho don’t own guns who fear
they would be targeted for thefts
as well. “The list of gun owners
also tells us where there are no
guns,” Stahl said.

Opponents argued that they had seen no data to suggest that criminals are using public
information about gun ownership to help commit crimes. John Bussian, a lobbyist for the N.C. Press
Association, told the committee that he was opposing “yet another government records secrecy bill.”
Some of the best media reporting across the count
ry on the flow of arms, he said, has been done
using the types of records that the bill would exempt from the Public Records Act.

But others, including lobbyists for the N.C. Ri
fle and Pistol Association and the N.C.
Firearms Dealers Group, supported the bill. Michael
Mann of the Rifle and Pi
stol Association said he believed there was “no legitimate reason” for anyone to have access to detailed information about
gun owners. Professional burglars, he said, look for items they can steal and dispose of quickly,
such as cash, jewelry and guns.

The Charlotte Observer has noticed this fight. They published a long article on it along with an editorial opposing this bill.  I will have more on that in a later post.

As to the pistol purchase permits themselves, I’d like to see them eliminated. They are a relic of Jim Crow laws in North Carolina. The permit was instituted in 1919 and was a way to allow racist sheriffs to keep handguns out of the hands of blacks.