North Carolina

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Early Voting Opens In North Carolina Today

October 20, 2016 by 1 Comment

Early voting opens in North Carolina today. In Buncombe County where I live, it starts at 10am and runs to 6pm. Times in other counties may differ. The one-stop early voting runs until Saturday, November 5th. You can check the North Carolina State Board of Elections for which district you live in, links to your county elections board, and more.

In time for this, GRNC-PVF has released their recommendations of candidates for the office of President and on down. It is part of their Remember in November project. You will notice that they give recommendations and not endorsements. Recommendations are based upon their evaluation of which candidate would be better on gun rights issues.

2016 GRNC-PVF General Election
Candidate Recommendations
The
2016 election is a referendum not only on the Second Amendment, but
on diametrically opposed plans for the future of our Republic. Key to
the outcome of that election is North Carolina, which is now regarded as
a hotly
contested “battleground state.” Translated, the future of our Republic
is now in your hands. If you fail to vote, if you fail
to bring like-minded people to the polls, Hillary Clinton’s nomination
of the next Supreme Court justice will be, quite literally, your
fault.

Candidate recommendations versus evaluations:
Below are
recommendations for effective voting strategies by the Grass Roots North
Carolina Political Victory Fund. Candidate recommendations, which are
more
limited than blanket “endorsements,” are not made in all races, only in
races where a clear pro-gun candidate stands out or where
strategic voting is necessary to keep anti-gun candidates out of office.

Recommendations differ from GRNC candidate evaluations. While the
evaluations are
intended to provide an objective measure of where candidates stand on
Second Amendment issues, GRNC–PVF recommendations are analytical and
therefore subject to interpretation. For a full explanation of GRNC’s
objective star evaluations, go to: http://www.grnc.org/remember-in-november/grnc-candidate-evaluations-2016

Important note:
Candidates who lack voting records or other
history on Second Amendment issues and who fail to return GRNC’s
candidate survey automatically receive a zero star evaluation (0) on the
assumption that they are hiding their position from gun voters. Every
election year, we receive complaints about ostensibly pro-gun candidates
who
receive zero star evaluations due to failure to return the survey. Each
candidate is mailed a survey to the address he or she registered with
the
State Board of Elections. If they fail to return the survey, we cannot help candidates who will not help themselves.

Voting instructions: General election One Stop Early Voting
begins on October 20 and ends on November 5 at 1:00 PM. Absentee ballots must be received by 5:00 PM on November 8. Election day is
November 8 between 6:30 AM and 7:30 PM. Click here to find your polling place on election day, or click here to find your One Stop
Early Voting place.

Important changes to voting laws: Due to ongoing litigation,
same-day registration will still be permitted during One Stop Early Voting. Straight party voting is no longer permitted, so
GRNC strongly suggests you investigate individual candidates. Please click here to find out about
identification requirements.

GRNC CANDIDATE
RECOMMENDATIONS

Key to listings:
Included in listings below are scores on
GRNC’s candidate survey, pro-gun voting percentage, and GRNC star
evaluation (0-star, *, **, ***, or ****, depending on how closely a
candidate
can be expected to agree with a control group of conservative gun
owners). “NR” means the candidate failed to return GRNC’s survey
which, for candidates without voting records, gives the candidate a
0-star (0) evaluation.

US PRESIDENT

Thanks to his change in position on key Second Amendment issues, DONALD
TRUMP now holds a GRNC 3-star (***) evaluation. He may or may
not be your first choice, but make no mistake: The election of Hillary
Clinton
to POTUS absolutely will allow her to make at least one (and probably
more than one) Supreme Court appointment – this from a candidate who is
on
record as saying the SCOTUS decisions affirming an individual right to
arms are “wrong.” Without doubt, such a Clinton Supreme Court would
reverse both the Heller and McDonald decisions and pave the way for
massive gun bans. Beyond Clinton’s fundamental and pervasive corruption,
she
is on record as supporting semi-auto bans, universal gun registration
(a/k/a/ “universal background checks”), and Australia-style gun
confiscation. If Democrats also gain control of the US Senate (see
below), the Senate Majority Leader will be Sen. Charles Schumer – a
dedicated, long-term opponent of gun rights. Do not for a moment think
you can “sit this one out” simply because you don’t like
either candidate. It is your duty to keep Hillary Clinton out of the Oval Office.

US SENATE

In
this closely contested race which could be key to control of the US
Senate,
GRNC-PVF recommends Republican RICHARD BURR.
With a 91%* pro-gun voting record, Burr holds GRNC’s highest 4-star
(****)
evaluation. Opponent Deborah Ross has a long history of antagonism
toward both gun rights and traditional American values. Beyond her
abysmal 21%
voting record, as NC House Judiciary Chair, Ross was responsible for
killing one of GRNC’s first Castle Doctrine bills, despite the fact that
it
had cleared the Senate and was sponsored by a fellow Democrat. In
fairness, with a 94% survey, Libertarian Sean Haugh also earned a GRNC
4-star
evaluation. Because he will likely garner less than 5% of the vote,
however, a vote for Haugh is a vote to put anti-gun Deborah Ross in the
Senate and to potentially give Hillary Clinton the votes needed to pass gun control.

US HOUSE

District 1:
With only a 33% voting record, incumbent GK
Butterfield earned only GRNC’s lowest 0-star evaluation. Unfortunately,
Republican challenger H. Powell Dew, Jr. failed to return GRNC’s
survey, also earning a 0-star evaluation. GRNC-PVF recommends Libertarian J. J. SUMMERELL (survey 95%, GRNC ****).

District 2: GRNC-PVF recommends Republican GEORGE
HOLDING. Holding scored 95% on GRNC’s survey, earning four stars (****), while challenger John McNeil refused to return the survey,
netting a 0-star evaluation.

District 3: With a 100% survey score and a 97% pro-gun voting
average, earning a GRNC four-star evaluation (****), GRNC–PVF continues to recommend incumbent WALTER JONES. Challenger Ernest
Reeves refused to return the survey, netting a 0-star evaluation.

District 4: Against longtime anti-gun Democrat David Price (0%
voting record, GRNC 0), GRNC–PVF recommends SUE GOOGE, who returned GRNC’s candidate survey with a score of 81%,
earning three stars (***).

District 5: With a 100% GRNC survey score and 100% pro-gun voting
record earning GRNC’s highest four-star evaluation (****), GRNC–PVF continues to recommend incumbent VIRGINIA FOXX
over Democrat challenger Josh Brannon, who refused to return GRNC’s survey, netting a 0-star evaluation.

District 6: Although the US House has not had any gun votes in
the 114th Congress, on the basis of his 99% survey score and GRNC four-star evaluation (****), GRNC–PVF recommends MARK
WALKER over Democrat challenger Pete Glidewell, who refused to return GRNC’s survey, netting a 0-star evaluation.

District 7: Due to his 100% pro-gun voting record, earning
GRNC’s four-star evaluation (****), GRNC–PVF recommends DAVID ROUZER over Libertarian challenger J. Wesley Casteen
(82% survey, ***).

District 8: Although the US House has not had any gun votes in
the 14th Congress, on the basis of his 100% survey score and GRNC four-star evaluation (****), GRNC–PVF recommends RICHARD
HUDSON over Democrat challenger Thomas Mills, who refused to return GRNC’s survey, netting a 0-star evaluation.

District 9: Due to his 100% pro-gun voting record, earning
GRNC’s four-star (****) evaluation, GRNC–PVF recommends ROBERT PITTENGER over Democrat challenger Christian Cano,
who refused to return GRNC’s survey, netting a 0-star evaluation.

District 10: With a 98% GRNC survey score and 100% pro-gun voting
record earning GRNC’s highest four-star evaluation (****), GRNC–PVF continues to recommend long term gun rights supporter
PATRICK McHENRY over Democrat challenger Andy Millard, who refused to return GRNC’s survey, netting a 0-star evaluation.

District 11:
Although the US House has not had any gun votes in
the 14th Congress, on the basis of his 100% survey score, leadership in
defending gun owners against federal abuses, and GRNC four-star
evaluation
(****), GRNC–PVF recommends MARK MEADOWS over Democrat challenger Rick Bryson, who refused to return GRNC’s
survey, netting a 0-star evaluation.

District 12: Against longtime anti-gun Democrat Alma Adams (11%
voting record, GRNC 0), GRNC–PVF recommends LEON THREATT, who returned GRNC’s candidate survey with a score of
85%, earning three stars (***).

District 13: This district represents a rare opportunity for gun
owners to elect a gun rights supporter who has not only talked the talk, but walked the walk. GRNC-PVF strongly recommends Republican TED
BUDD (survey 100%, GRNC **) over Democrat Bruce Davis
(survey: NR, GRNC 0). Beyond running for Congress, Budd owns a gun shop.
Frankly,
we should have recommended him in the Republican primary election, but
underestimated his ability to beat no fewer than 16 Republican
challengers.

STATEWIDE RACES

North Carolina Governor: In this critical and tightly contested
race, GRNC-PVF recommends PAT McCRORY (GRNC ***)
over longtime anti-gun Democrat Roy Cooper (58% voting record, GRNC 0).
Having, in years past, killed pro-gun legislation as NC Senate Judiciary
Chairman, Cooper will most certainly veto any pro-gun legislation GRNC
could
get passed by the legislature. Although Libertarian Lon Cecil scored 99%
on GRNC’s survey, earning four stars (****), he will draw only a few
percent of the vote, potentially helping Cooper get elected. Cooper must
be kept out of the governor’s mansion at all costs.

North Carolina Lt. Governor: GRNC-PVF recommends
incumbent DAN FOREST, who scored 95% on GRNC’s survey, earning four stars (****). Challenger Leslie Coleman, during her tenure in
the NC Senate, voted with gun owners only 67% of the time, earning a low one-star (*) evaluation.

North Carolina Treasurer: GRNC-PVF recommends DALE
FOLWELL (****) who earned a perfect 100% pro-gun voting record while in the NC House.

North Carolina Attorney General: For the open seat vacated by Roy
Cooper, GRNC – PVF recommends BUCK NEWTON for Attorney General.
In the NC Senate, Newton has been a leader for gun
rights, cementing passage of three omnibus pro-gun bills. With his 100%
survey score and 100% pro-gun voting record, Newton earned GRNC’s
highest (****) four-star evaluation. By contrast, Newton’s opponent,
anti-gun Sen. Josh Stein voted with gun owners only 38% of the time,
netting him a 0-star evaluation.

Judicial races: GRNC-PVF recommends you vote for
all of the following:

BOB EDMUNDS for NC Supreme Court
PHIL BERGER, JR. for Court of Appeals (Stephens seat)
RICHARD DIETZ for Court of Appeals (Dietz seat)
BOB HUNTER for Court of Appeals (Hunter seat)
HUNTER MURPHY Court of Appeals (Geer seat)
VALERIE J. ZACHARY for Court of Appeals (Zachary seat)

NC SENATE

Note: Only contested races are covered.

District 1: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent BILL
COOK (100% voting record, GRNC ****) over Democrat challenger Brownie Futrell (survey: NR, GRNC 0-star).

District 2: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent NORMAN
SANDERSON (100% voting record, GRNC ****) over Democrat challenger Dorothea White (survey: 68%, GRNC *).

District 4: GRNC-PVF recommends challenger RICHARD
SCOTT (survey: 95%, GRNC ****) over Democrat incumbent Angela Bryant (voting record: 22%, GRNC 0).

District 11: For this open seat, GRNC-PVF recommends
RICK HORNER (survey: 97%, GRNC ****) over Albert Pacer (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 12: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent RONALD
RABIN (voting record: 100%, GRNC ****) over Democrat challenger Susan Byerly (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 15: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent JOHN
ALEXANDER (voting record: 100%, GRNC ****) over Libertarian Brad Hessel (survey: 94%, GRNC ****) and Democrat Laurel Deegan-Fricke
(survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 16: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent ERIC
WEAVER (survey: 100%, GRNC ****) over Democrat Jay Chaudhuri (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 17: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent TAMARA
BARRINGER (voting record: 100%, GRNC ****) over Libertarian Susan Hogarth (survey: NR, GRNC 0) and Democrat Susan Evans (survey: NR, GRNC
0).

District 18: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent CHAD
BAREFOOT (voting record: 100%, GRNC ****) over Democrat challenger Gil Johnson (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 19: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent WESLEY
MEREDITH (voting record: 100%, GRNC ****) over Democrat challenger Toni Morris (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 20: GRNC-PVF recommends challenger BARBARA
HOWE (survey: 99%, GRNC ****) over anti-gun Democrat incumbent Floyd B. McKissick, Jr. (voting record: 50%, GRNC 0).

District 21: GRNC-PVF recommends challenger DAN
TRAVIESO (survey: 99%, GRNC ****) over anti-gun Democrat incumbent Ben Clark (voting record: 25%, GRNC 0).

District 22: GRNC-PVF recommends challenger T. GREG
DOUCETTE (survey: 99%, GRNC ****) over anti-gun Democrat incumbent Mike Woodard (voting record: 0%, GRNC 0).

District 24: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent RICK
GUNN (voting record: 100%, GRNC ****) over Democrat challenger John Thorpe (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 25: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent TOM
McINNIS (voting record: 100%, GRNC ****) over Democrat challenger Dannie M. Montgomery (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 27: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent TRUDY
WADE (voting record: 100%, GRNC ****) over Democrat challenger Michael Garrett (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 28: GRNC-PVF recommends challenger DEVIN R.
KING (survey: 100%, GRNC ****) over anti-gun Democrat incumbent Gladys A. Robinson (voting record: 0%, GRNC 0).

District 30: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent SHIRLEY
BLACKBURN RANDLEMAN (voting record: 100%, GRNC ****) over Democrat challenger Michael W. Holleman (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 33: For this open seat, GRNC-PVF recommends
CATHY DUNN (survey: 100%, GRNC ****) over Jim Beall Graham (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 36: For this open seat, GRNC-PVF recommends
PAUL R. NEWTON (survey: 100%, GRNC ****) over Robert Brown (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 37: GRNC-PVF recommends challenger BOB
DIAMOND (survey: 96%, GRNC ****) over anti-gun Democrat incumbent Jeff Jackson (voting record: 0%, GRNC 0).

District 38: GRNC-PVF recommends challenger RICHARD
RIVETTE (survey: 99%, GRNC ****) over anti-gun Democrat incumbent Joel Ford (voting record: 25%, GRNC 0).

District 39: For this open seat, GRNC-PVF recommends
DAN BISHOP (NC House voting record: 94%, GRNC ****) over Lloyd Scher (survey: 47%, GRNC 0).

District 41: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent JEFF
TARTE (voting record: 100%, GRNC ****), who has sponsored pro-gun legislation and been a leader for your rights in the Senate, over
Libertarian Chris Cole (survey: 95%, GRNC ****) and Democrat Jonathan Hudson (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 44: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent DAVID L.
CURTIS (voting record: 100%, GRNC ****) over challenger Nic Haag (survey: 97%, GRNC ****).

District 45: For this open seat, GRNC-PVF recommends
DEANNA BALLARD (survey: 100%, GRNC ****) over Art Sherwood (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 46: GRNC-PVF recommends WARREN
DANIEL (voting record: 100%, GRNC ****), who has been a leader for your rights in the Senate, over Anne Fischer (survey: 49%, GRNC 0).

District 47: GRNC-PVF recommends RALPH
HISE (voting record: 100%, GRNC ****) over Mary Jane Boyd (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 49: GRNC-PVF recommends challenger WILLIAM
MEREDITH (survey: 100%, GRNC ****) over anti-gun Democrat incumbent Terry Van Duyn (voting record: 0%, GRNC 0).

District 50: GRNC-PVF recommends JIM
DAVIS (voting record: 100%, GRNC ****) over Jane Hipps (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

NC HOUSE

As above, only contested races are covered.

A
large number of open seats plus a number of RINOs who voted against gun
owners
on omnibus pro-gun bill HB 562 make NC House race is critical in 2016.

Please note that GRNC-PVF is withholding recommendations for any
incumbent who voted against gun owners more than twice in the 18 floor votes for omnibus pro-gun House Bill 562 in the last session.

District 3: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent MICHAEL
SPECIALE (recent voting record: 94%, GRNC ***) over Marva Fisher Baldwin (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 6: For this open seat, GRNC-PVF recommends
BEVERLY BOSWELL (survey: 88%, GRNC ***) over Warren Judge (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 7: GRNC-PVF recommends challenger WILLIAM
DUKE HANCOCK II (survey: 81%, GRNC ***) over anti-gun Democrat incumbent Bobbie J. Richardson (voting record: 9%, GRNC 0).

District 9: For this open seat, GRNC-PVF recommends
GREG MURPHY (survey: 94%, GRNC ****) over Brian Farcas (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 10: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent JOHN R.
BELL (recent voting record: 100%, GRNC ****) over Evelyn Paul (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 11: GRNC-PVF recommends Republican challenger
RAY MARTIN (survey: 85%, GRNC ***) over Libertarian Brian Lewis (survey: 90%, GRNC ****) and anti-gun incumbent Democrat Duane Hall
(voting record: 9%, GRNC 0). (Yes, Lewis had a better survey score by 5%, but is unlikely to have the resources to win.)

District 15: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent PHILLIP
SHEPARD (voting record: 93%, GRNC ****) over Dan Whitten (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 16: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent CHRIS W.
MILLIS (voting record: 100%, GRNC ****) over Steve Unger (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 18: GRNC-PVF recommends challenger GERALD
(JERRY) BENTON (survey: 96%, GRNC ****) over anti-gun Democrat incumbent Susi Hamilton (voting record: 5%, GRNC 0).

District 25: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent JEFF
COLLINS (voting record: 100%, GRNC ****) over James D. Gailliard (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 34: GRNC-PVF recommends challenger BILL
MORRIS (survey: 95%, GRNC ****) over anti-gun Democrat incumbent Grier Martin (voting record: 24%, GRNC 0).

District 37: For this open seat, GRNC-PVF recommends
Republican LINDA HUNT-WILLIAMS (survey: 92%, GRNC ****) over Libertarian Robert Rose (survey: 95%, GRNC ****) and Democrat Randy Barrow
(survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 38: GRNC-PVF recommends Libertarian
challenger OLEN WATSON III (survey: 96%, GRNC ****) over anti-gun Democrat incumbent Yvonne Lewis Holley (voting record: 9%, GRNC 0).

District 46: For this open seat, GRNC-PVF recommends
Republican BRENDEN JONES (survey: 92%, GRNC ****) over Libertarian Thomas (Tom) Howell, Jr. (survey: 98%, GRNC ****) and Democrat Tim
Benton (survey: NR, GRNC 0). (Yes, Howell had a better survey score by 6%, but is unlikely to have the resources to win.)

District 50: GRNC-PVF recommends challenger ROD
CHANEY (survey: 100%, GRNC ****) over anti-gun Democrat incumbent Graig R. Meyer (voting record: 17%, GRNC 0).

District 51: GRNC-PVF recommends Libertarian
challenger JOHN SAULS (previous NC House voting record: 83%, GRNC ***) over anti-gun Democrat incumbent Brad Salmon (voting record: 44%,
GRNC 0).

District 55: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent MARK
BRODY (voting record: 97%, GRNC ****) over Kim Hargett (survey: 54%, GRNC 0).

District 59: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent JON
HARDISTER (voting record: 97%, GRNC ****) over Scott A. Jones (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 67: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent JUSTIN P.
BURR (voting record: 96%, GRNC ****) over Carson Roger Snyder (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 69: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent DEAN
ARP (voting record: 94%, GRNC ****) over Gordon B. Daniels (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 74: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent DEBRA
CONRAD (voting record: 97%, GRNC ****) over Marilynn Baker (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 82: GRNC-PVF strongly recommends incumbent
LARRY G. PITTMAN (voting record: 97%, GRNC ****), who frequently sponsors pro-gun legislation and is a leader for your rights, over Earle
Schecter (survey: 63%, GRNC *).

District 92: For this open seat, GRNC-PVF recommends
Republican BETH DANAE CAULFIELD (survey: 98%, GRNC ****) over Democrat Chaz Beasley (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 93: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent JONATHAN C.
JORDAN (voting record: 98%, GRNC ****) over Sue Counts (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 94: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent JEFFREY
ELMORE (voting record: 100%, GRNC ****) over Michael T. Lentz (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 98: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent JOHN R.
BRADFORD III (voting record: 94%, GRNC ****) over Jane Campbell (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 104: For this open seat, GRNC-PVF recommends
Republican ANDY DULIN (survey: 100%, GRNC ****) over
Democrat Peter Noris (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 105: For this open seat, GRNC-PVF recommends
Republican SCOTT STONE (survey: 90%, GRNC ****) over Democrat Connie Green-Johnson (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 109: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent DANA
BUMGARDNER (voting record: 97%, GRNC ****) over Susan Maxon (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 113: For this open seat, GRNC-PVF recommends
Republican CODY HENSON (survey: 92%, GRNC ****) over Democrat Maureen Mahan Copelof (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 118: GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent MICHELE D.
PRESNELL (voting record: 97%, GRNC ****) over Rhonda Cole Schandevel (survey: NR, GRNC 0).

District 119: GRNC-PVF recommends challenger MIKE
CLAMPITT (survey: 100%, GRNC ****) over anti-gun incumbent Joe Sam Queen (voting record: 25%, GRNC 0).

District 120: For this open seat, GRNC-PVF recommends
KEVIN CORBIN (survey: 95%, GRNC ****) over Randy Hogsed (survey: 70%, GRNC **).

This
message, supporting the candidates listed above, is authorized and paid
for
solely by the Grass Roots North Carolina Political Victory Fund. Not
authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.
Uncategorized

Free Fishing In NC On Independence Day

July 3, 2016 by 2 Comments

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has announced that no license or trout stamp will be needed to fish in the state on Independence Day, July 4th. This will apply to both residents and non-residents. This is a great opportunity to take your kids fishing without having to pay for a license. Of course, buying a license does support the conservation of fish, game, and habitat in North Carolina.

Read more in this announcement from the NCWRC:

RALEIGH, N.C. (June 23, 2016) —  The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission reminds anglers and would-be anglers of all ages that July 4 is “free fishing day” in North Carolina. From 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m., anyone can fish without having to pay for a fishing license or additional trout privilege license in all public waters, including coastal waters.   
While everyone — residents and non-residents alike — can fish in public waters without a license on July 4, all other fishing regulations, such as length and daily possession limits, as well as bait and tackle restrictions, apply. 
The Commission manages recreational inland fisheries, stocks fish, and provides free access to fishing sites across the state. To make finding a spot to fish easier, the Commission has interactive fishing and boating maps on its website that list more than 500 fishing and boating areas, most of which are free and open to the public. 
Public fishing areas range from well-developed access areas with universally accessible boat ramps and piers, to sites with only gravel parking lots and an access trail leading to the water. These include Community Fishing Program (CFP) sites that are developed through partnerships between the Commission and local municipalities and organizations. Many of these sites receive routine stockings of channel catfish and often have a universally accessible fishing pier. 
Some CFP sites have loaner rods and reels that anglers can borrow for the day on a first-come, first-serve basis. Through the Commission’s Tackle Loaner Program, anglers can check out a fishing rod and reel in much the same way as checking out a library book. They receive a Tackle Loaner card, which is valid at all tackle-loaner sites across the state, although the rods and reels must be returned to the location where they were borrowed. Anglers age 15 and younger who register for the Tackle Loaner Program for the first time receive a mini tackle box filled with hooks, fishing line, a bobber and a stringer.
In addition to providing free places to fish, the Commission stocks a variety of fish in public, inland waters across the state throughout the year to give anglers a better chance of catching fish. Cool mountain waters are stocked with brook, brown and rainbow trout, as well as walleye and muskellunge. In warm waters, Commission staff stocks largemouth bass, American shad, striped bass, channel catfish and sunfishes. 
Authorized by the N.C. General Assembly and enacted in 1994, North Carolina’s annual free fishing day always falls on July 4. On all other days of the year, a fishing license is not required for anglers 15 years and younger, but anyone age 16 and older must have a fishing license to fish in any public water in North Carolina, including coastal waters. To purchase a license:
Uncategorized

GRNC Doesn’t Take A Double-Cross Lightly

June 21, 2016 by 6 Comments

When you attempt to double-cross Grass Roots North Carolina by going back on your word, they don’t take it lightly. Their response may not always win them friends but it does put politicians on notice about going back on your word.

Sheriffs in North Carolina have been dragging their feet on issuing pistol purchase permits. What used to be an immediate issuance has now started to drag into weeks and months because of a new requirement for a mental health check. I spoke to a client recently in Henderson County who waited over four months for his pistol purchase permit.

What GRNC sought was a sun-setting of the paper medical-release provisions once the records had been digitized. Sen. Shirley Randleman (R-Stokes, Surry, Wilkes) had inserted these provisions into a bill that was due for a floor vote. Now she has taken what she wanted in that bill and transferred it into another bill due for a floor vote and left the sunset provision to die on the vine.

More in the GRNC alert below. It’s time to play some General Assembly hardball.

SENATOR SELLS OUT ON PISTOL PERMIT

MEDICAL-REPORTING FIX
Last week’s gun-rights hero is this week’s gun-rights turncoat . .
. 

It was not even a week ago that
GRNC issued an update praising NC Senator Shirley
Randleman (R-30, Stokes, Surry, Wilkes) for courageously standing up for gun owners alongside another courageous legislator, NC Rep. Michael Speciale (R-3, Beaufort, Craven, Pamlico).

Unfortunately, it appears that the victory Sen. Randleman helped hand to
gun owners last week was only a feint, and she apparently never
intended to
follow through on her pro-gun stance during this legislative session. In
short:

SENATOR SHIRLEY RANDLEMAN IS A
SELLOUT!

Last week, Sen. Randleman was a key figure in
helping GRNC fix the NRA’s previous blunder, a major blunder that was
giving sheriff departments cover to flout state law and force citizens
to wait inordinately extensive (and illegal) lengths of time to receive
pistol
purchase permits (PPP). Randleman helped to insert the administrative
fix to this problem into S89,
a bill that, at the time, was sure to receive a
hearing and a floor vote. This is all gun owners wanted from this bill,
and it’s such a small thing really—simply sun-setting the outdated
paper medical-release system once records-digitization is completed.

Unfortunately, even this small thing, this minor administrative fix that
will go a
long way in easing pressure on sheriff departments, and make life easier
for gun owners like you, was just too much for Sen. Randleman to
continue to
support. You see, this week, Randleman moved her favorite projects from
S89 to another bill, another bill that will surely receive a hearing and
a
vote. However, the medical-reporting fix must not have been one of her
favorites after all, because she left it where it was, and now it is
believed
that S89 is going to be left to languish and die without a vote. With
all of this in mind, there really isn’t any other way to say it: 
Sen. Randleman sold out gun owners—big time!

Randleman received her positive, “pro-gun” press last week, and
must have figured that was all she needed to gain some gun-rights cred.
However, she didn’t count on the fact that GRNC is still paying
attention. We are paying attention, and we are here to tell gun owners that Sen. Shirley Randleman pulled the ol’ slimy
politician’s feint against you when she thought you weren’t looking! She may have been quietly laughing at you when she
pulled this little stunt, but she likely won’t be laughing once she learns that she has been caught.

Why Did Leadership Allow This
Trickery?

This cannot stand! We must demand that Shirley
Randleman
return the Medical Form Sunset provision to whichever bill is sure to
receive a hearing and a floor vote, and we want an explanation. Also, we
need to
know why GA leadership, Speaker Tim Moore and
Senate Leader Phil Berger, allowed this trickery
to occur in the first place.

Below, see how you can easily contact Sen.
Randleman, and also the House and Senate leaders. They must answer for
this!
Please make the phone calls as well as sending the emails. If at all
possible, make the phone calls during the time requested (today, 9-11
AM).

Untrustworthy politicians like Shirley Randleman must be
informed that she can’t throw gun owners under the bus and get away with
it!

IMMEDIATE ACTION
REQUIRED!

  • PHONE SENATOR
    RANDLEMAN    : (919) 733-5743.
    Please make phone calls today, Tuesday, between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. If you can’t call during those times, please call
    later.
     

    Suggested phone message:
    Hello,
    my name
    is ___________. I am calling because I am a North Carolina gun rights
    supporter, and I’ve just learned of the about-face that Senator
    Randleman
    pulled on gun owners. We were counting on the senator to help us fix the
    medical reporting system for pistol purchase permits, and last week,
    she
    acted as though she was going to come through for us. However, I am now
    aware that the senator has moved all of her favorite projects from
    Senate Bill
    89 to another bill, but left the administrative medical-reporting fix in
    S89, where it is now likely to languish and die. I am demanding that
    Senator
    Randleman provide voters with an explanation for why she sold us out,
    and I’m insisting that she find a way to return the medical-reporting
    fix
    to a bill that will receive a hearing and a vote. I will continue to pay
    very close attention to this issue through alerts from Grass Roots
    North
    Carolina. Thank you.


  • PHONE HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERSHIP: Senator Phil Berger (919) 733-5708 &
    Speaker Tim Moore (919) 733-3451. Please make phone calls today, Tuesday, between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. If you can’t call
    during those times, please call later. 

    Suggested phone message:  

    Hello, my name is ___________. I am calling because I am a North Carolina gun rights supporter, and I’ve just
    learned that [Speaker Moore] / [Senator Berger] has
    allowed pending gun rights legislation, which would sunset the
    requirement for paper medical release forms for pistol purchase permits,
    to be positioned so that it has no chance of receiving a floor vote. I
    would
    like to know why he would allow this pro-gun legislation to be left
    behind, in Senate Bill 89, where it will languish and die, and I insist
    that
    leadership stand up for gun owners and find a way to place this language
    in a bill that is sure to receive a floor vote. I will continue to pay
    very
    close attention to this issue through alerts from Grass Roots North
    Carolina. Thank you.



  • EMAIL SENATOR RANDLEMAN at this address: Shirley.Randleman@ncleg.net

    Use the copy/paste
    message provided below under ‘Deliver This Message to Sen. Randleman.’

  • EMAIL SENATE AND HOUSE LEADERS
    using these copy/paste
    email addresses:
    Tim.Moore@ncleg.net;
    Phil.Berger@ncleg.net

    Use the copy/paste message
    under ‘Deliver This Message to Sen. Berger & Spkr. Moore.’ 

DELIVER THIS MESSAGE TO

SENATOR RANDLEMAN

Suggested Subject: “Fix Your Sellout of Gun
Owners! 
Dear Senator Randleman:

I have just been informed of the
fast
one you have pulled on gun owners. Last week, you were basking in praise
for your courageous efforts to make sure pro-gun language was inserted
into
Senate Bill 89. This language would sunset the antiquated paper medical
reporting requirement for pistol purchase permits, once the records are
digitized. An obvious update for the twenty-first century. A small
change perhaps, but this small change would make a huge difference.

As you know,
various sheriff departments around the state have been using this
antiquated reporting requirement as an excuse to delay pistol purchase
permits for
extended, and unlawful lengths of time. I was sure you were going to
help the voters end all of that, but I was clearly wrong. It appears you
have
sold out gun owners, and I am incensed.  Please understand that the
little trick you just pulled did not go unnoticed. I am fully aware that
you
moved all of your favorite projects to another bill, but have left the
medical-reporting fix in S89, where it will now surely languish and die.

I
am
demanding that you explain your about-face on this legislation, and I’m
insisting that you find a way to return the medical-reporting fix to a
bill that will receive a hearing and a vote.

I will be paying very close
attention to this issue through alerts from Grass Roots North Carolina.

Respectfully, 

DELIVER THIS MESSAGE TO
SEN. BERGER
& SPKR. MOORE 


Suggested Subject: “Pistol Permit
Medical-Reporting Fix Must Receive a Vote”  
Dear Senator Berger and Speaker Moore:

I have just learned that the NC House
and
Senate Leaders have allowed pending gun rights legislation, which would
sunset the requirement for paper medical release forms for pistol
purchase
permits, to be positioned so that it has no chance of receiving a floor
vote. This is unacceptable, and I would like to know why the ostensibly
pro-gun House and Senate leadership would allow this legislation to be
set aside where it will surely languish and die.

As you know, various
sheriff
departments around the state have been using the antiquated paper
medical-reporting requirement as an excuse to delay pistol purchase
permits for
extended, and unlawful lengths of time. I was sure you were going to
help the citizenry end all of that. If that is not the case, I am
terribly
disappointed.

As a gun owner, and a voter, I must insist that you correct
this reversal by standing up for gun owners and finding a way to place
this
language into a bill that is sure to receive a floor vote. Is it really
too much to ask that you support gun owners on such a small thing, like
this
simple administrative fix? This is a minor item that will make a major
difference to gun rights voters, and it serves to bring our state’s
background check system into the twenty-first century.

I will continue to
pay very close attention to this issue through alerts from Grass Roots
North
Carolina.

Respectfully,  
Uncategorized

Election Day In North Carolina

June 7, 2016 by

Thanks to the courts and redistricting voters in North Carolina have to go to the polls again today. In most cases, voters will only have one or two races upon which to vote – the special primary for Congress and one seat on the NC Supreme Court. Unless you live in the 2nd or 13th Congressional District, the incumbent is almost guaranteed to win. Thus, it is the NC Supreme Court primary that is the key. While nominally non-partisan, Justice Robert Edmunds is a conservative Republican and the pivotal vote on the direction of the court.

Grass Roots North Carolina Political Victory Fund is urging gun owners to get to the polls to vote for Edmunds so as keep the court conservative. Their alert is below:

VOTE TOMORROW 
  POLLS OPEN FROM 6:30AM TO 7:30PM TOMORROW
USE GRNC RECOMMENDATIONS TO ELECT PRO-GUN CANDIDATES! 
(See the list below)


Whether or not your district has a special primary race for the U.S. House, it is critical that you get to the polls and vote for the GRNC-PVF recommended candidate, BOB EDMUNDS, for NC Supreme Court in this court-ordered special election.
ROBERT H. (BOB) EDMUNDS
IS THE JURIST ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY TO RETAIN CONSERVATIVE CONTROL OF THE NC SUPREME COURT!

Because voter turnout will likely be low, your vote counts more than ever. 

NC Supreme Court Special Primary: Even if you don’t have a congressional primary or don’t intend to vote the congressional primary in your district, you must still vote in a court-ordered “special primary” in order to keep conservative control of the NC Supreme Court. In this race, GRNC-PVF strongly recommends you vote for Bob Edmunds.

CLICK HERE TO CONTRIBUTE TO GRNC-PVF , and help us continue the important work of electing strong, pro-gun legislators and conservative judges.Or go to: http://www.grnc.org/grnc-pvf/donate-to-grnc-pvf 

Uncategorized

For North Carolina Voters

June 3, 2016 by

Early voting in the Congressional primary and the election of a State Supreme Court Associate Justice has started. The election itself will be this coming Tuesday, June 7th.

I voted this morning at the Buncombe County Board of Elections. There were only two people ahead of me to vote. I think the turnout for this election and primary will be very sparse.

Recognizing the low turnout and that it is important to elect pro-gun justices to the NC Supreme Court, Grass Roots North Carolina – Political Victory Fund issued a strong recommendation for Associate Justice Robert H. (Bob) Edmunds. There are cases working their way up through the North Carolina judicial system that will impact gun owners. From what I can tell, permits and zoning for new shooting ranges are at the forefront of these cases.

I do know that Haywood County passed a range ordinance that makes it very difficult, if not impossible, to establish a new range in the county. They imposed rules that their own sheriff’s department could not meet for their shooting range. I don’t know if a suit is in the works but I wouldn’t be surprised. Thus, keeping Justice Edmunds on the court is essential.

VOTE FOR BOB EDMUNDS
EARLY VOTING IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW!

Whether or not your district has a special primary race for
the U.S. House, it is critical that you get to the polls and vote for the GRNC-PVF recommended candidate, BOB
EDMUNDS, for NC Supreme Court in this court-ordered special election.



ROBERT H. (BOB) EDMUNDS

IS THE JURIST ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY TO RETAIN CONSERVATIVE
CONTROL
OF THE NC SUPREME COURT!



Because voter turnout will likely be low, your vote counts more than ever.



NC Supreme Court Special Primary:
Even if you don’t have a congressional
primary or don’t intend to vote the congressional primary in your
district, you must still vote in a court-ordered “special primary”
in order to keep conservative control of the NC Supreme Court. In this race, GRNC-PVF strongly recommends you vote
for Bob Edmunds.

CLICK HERE TO CONTRIBUTE TO GRNC-PVF, and help us continue the important work of electing strong, pro-gun legislators and
conservative judges.

Or go to: http://www.grnc.org/grnc-pvf/donate-to-grnc-pvf

Voting instructions: Primary
election One Stop Early
Voting begins on May 26 and ends on June 4 at 1:00 PM. Absentee ballots
must be received by your county board of elections by 5:00 PM on June 7.
Primary voting day is June 7 between 6:30 AM and 7:30 PM. Click here to find your polling
place on election day, or click
here to find your One Stop Early Voting place.

Important
changes to voting laws: Due to ongoing
litigation, same-day registration will still be permitted during One
Stop Early Voting.
As in previous years, unaffiliated voters may vote in either Republican
or Democrat primaries. Unlike previous years, straight party voting will
not
be permitted, so GRNC strongly suggests you investigate individual
candidates. For the first time, identification is required to vote, so click here to find identification
requirements.

NC SUPREME COURT ASSOCIATE JUSTICE: GRNC-PVF strongly
recommends incumbent conservative ROBERT H. (BOB) EDMUNDS.





This
ad supporting Robert H.
(Bob) Edmunds for NC Supreme Court was authorized and paid for solely by
the Grass Roots North Carolina Political Victory Fund. Ad not
authorized by any candidate or candidate committee. 
Uncategorized

For North Carolinians – Early Voting Ends This Afternoon

March 12, 2016 by

Just a reminder for North Carolinians who plan to take advantage of early voting, it ends today at 1pm. Check with your local Board of Election for times and places. If you haven’t already voted and you don’t vote today, you’ll have to vote on Tuesday at your normal polling place. You will need a valid state approved ID card.

Both the NRA-PVF and GRNC-PVF have endorsed and are strongly recommending St. Sen. Buck Newtown in the Republican primary for Attorney General. He has been a sponsor of many of the gun rights bills that have passed in the last few sessions of the General Assembly. He needs our support.

And a reminder from Grass Roots North Carolina Political Victory Fund:

EARLY VOTING ENDS

SATURDAY AT 1:00 PM

Time is very, very short!

Early voting ends at 1:00 PM

Yes, that is Saturday, March 12, at 1:00 PM. Depending on when you’re
reading this, that might be TODAY!  Below, find links to GRNC’s candidate evaluations and recommendations, then: 

GET OUT AND VOTE

CANDIDATE EVALUATIONS
&

RECOMMENDATIONS

Candidate Evaluations

CLICK HERE for an
explanation of GRNC candidate evaluations, and to access the evaluations themselves

(or go to: http://www.grnc.org/remember-in-november/grnc-candidate-evaluations-2016).

Candidate Recommendations

CLICK HERE to view
GRNC candidate recommendations
(or go to:
http://www.grnc.org/documents/2016-GRNC-Primary-Candidate-Recommendations.pdf). 

IMPORTANT NOTE:

As evidenced here, candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction, Mark Johnson, is shaping up to be a minion of anti-gun
carpetbagger, Michael Bloomberg. If you “follow the money” and draw logical conclusions: 

DO NOT VOTE FOR MARK JOHNSON FOR SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC
INSTRUCTION
Uncategorized

GRNC Political Victory Fund Updates

March 9, 2016 by 1 Comment

Grass Roots North Carolina – Political Victory Fund has released an update to their candidate evaluations and recommendations. I have published it below.

The North Carolina primary is on March 15th. Early voting has started (the Complementary Spouse and I voted on Saturday) and you can find your early voting locations in your county by going through this NC Board of Elections link. You will need to show a valid ID to prove that you are who you say you are. This last bit is new and I, for one, am very pleased by it.

I would point out again that Superintendent of Public Instruction candidate Mark Johnson received a very substantial donation from none other than Michael Bloomberg. He is running as a Republican.

2016 GRNC Candidate Recommendations
[UPDATE]

GRNC Candidate Recommendations:

Errors, Omissions, and New Information 

US President: New
information reveals that Marco Rubio
voted for a city parks gun ban when he was a Commissioner for West Miami City, lowering his GRNC evaluation to 88% and, consequently, downgrading
his rating to three stars (***). GRNC-PVF continues to recommend Ted Cruz 100%, GRNC ****).

Superintendent of Public Instruction:
Although GRNC-PVF is not covering this race, it should be noted that Republican candidate Mark Johnson took a large campaign donation from anti-gun zealot and
billionaire Michael Bloomberg.

NC House District 26: GRNC-PVF candidate recommendations failed to include this race. For this open
seat, GRNC-PVF recommends Dennis Nielsen (92%, GRNC ****).

NC Senate 45:
In the race for this open seat, GRNC erred in failing to
include a perfect 100% survey from Deanna Ballard, for which she earned
GRNC’s highest four-star evaluation (****). The GRNC-PVF recommendation
for this race changes to Deanna Ballard.

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!
  • VOTE EARLY:  Primary election One Stop
    Early Voting begins on March 3 and ends on March 12.  Absentee ballots must be received by 5:00 PM on March 15. Click here to find your One Stop
    Early Voting place.
  • VOTE ON PRIMARY VOTING DAY:  Primary voting day is March 15
    between 6:30 AM and 7:30 PM.  Click here to find your polling
    place on election day.
CANDIDATE EVALUATIONS
&

RECOMMENDATIONS

Candidate Evaluations

CLICK HERE for an
explanation of GRNC candidate evaluations, and to access the evaluations themselves

(or go to: http://www.grnc.org/remember-in-november/grnc-candidate-evaluations-2016).

Candidate Recommendations
CLICK HERE to view
GRNC candidate recommendations
(or go to:
http://www.grnc.org/documents/2016-GRNC-Primary-Candidate-Recommendations.pdf). 

IMPORTANT NOTE:

As evidenced here, candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction, Mark Johnson, is shaping up to be a minion of anti-gun
carpetbagger, Michael Bloomberg. If you “follow the money” and draw logical conclusions: 

DO NOT VOTE FOR MARK JOHNSON FOR SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC
INSTRUCTION
Uncategorized

GRNC-PVF Releases Recommendations For NC’s March Primary

March 1, 2016 by

Grass Roots North Carolina-Political Victory Fund has released their candidate evaluations and recommendations in advance of North Carolina’s March 15th primary. Early voting in North Carolina opens on March 3rd.

As I live in an open Senate district, I found the recommendations useful. For example, the establishment candidate in the 48th District, Chuck Edwards, lists that he is a Life Member of the NRA. That said, he never bothered to return GRNC-PVF’s survey. Being dismissive of the strongest, most active gun rights group in the state is not the way to earn my vote. I plan to vote accordingly.

Here are their recommendations along with links:

2016 GRNC CANDIDATE
RECOMMENDATIONS
 (Listings include only districts
with primary races)

Candidate recommendations versus evaluations: Below are recommendations
for effective voting strategies by the Grass Roots North Carolina Political Victory Fund. Candidate recommendations,
which are more limited than blanket “endorsements,” are not made in all
races, only in races where a clear pro-gun candidate stands out or
where strategic voting is necessary to keep anti-gun candidates out of
office.
Recommendations
differ from GRNC
candidate evaluations. While the evaluations are intended to provide an
objective measure of where candidates stand on Second Amendment issues,
GRNC–PVF recommendations are analytical and therefore subject to
interpretation. For a full explanation of GRNC’s objective star
evaluations, go to:
http://www.grnc.org/remember-in-november/grnc-candidate-evaluations-2016
Important note: Candidates who lack
voting records or other history on Second Amendment issues and who fail
to
return GRNC’s candidate survey automatically receive a zero star
evaluation (0) on the assumption that they are hiding their position
from gun
voters. Every election year, we receive complaints about ostensibly
pro-gun candidates who receive zero star evaluations due to failure to
return the
survey. Each candidate is mailed a survey to the address he or she
registered with the State Board of Elections. If they fail to
return the survey, we cannot help candidates who will not help themselves.
Voting instructions: Primary election One Stop Early Voting begins on March 3 and ends on March 12. Absentee ballots
must be received by 5:00 PM on March 15. Primary voting day is March 15 between 6:30 AM and 7:30 PM. Click
here to find your polling place on election day, or click
here to find your One Stop Early Voting place. 
Important changes to voting laws: Due to ongoing litigation, same-day registration will still be permitted during One
Stop Early Voting. Litigation involving redistricting applies only to U.S. House races.
All other primaries will take
place on March 15. Although North Carolina has rescheduled Congressional
primaries for June 7, congressional races will remain on the ballot and
GRNC
recommends you still cast a ballot for U.S. House on March 15.
As in previous
years, unaffiliated voters may vote in either Republican or Democrat primaries. Unlike previous
years, straight party voting will not be permitted, so GRNC strongly suggests you investigate individual candidates. For
the first time, identification is required to vote, so click
here to find identification requirements.
GRNC CANDIDATE RECOMMENDATIONS
(Note:
the NC State Board of Elections has made numerous changes to
presentation of candidate data which now, unfortunately, contain
numerous errors. We have tried to catch those errors but apologize if
some of them have been allowed to propagate into GRNC
evaluations.)
US President (R): Despite
his assertions that he supports the
Second Amendment, DONALD TRUMP (GRNC 1-star, *) has supported semi-auto
bans, waiting periods and, most recently, denying gun purchases to
people on
secret government lists convicted of nothing. MARCO RUBIO (****) has an
excellent gun rights voting record, but has failed to take a leadership
role
on the issue. Only TED CRUZ (****) has a 100% pro-gun voting record, has
sponsored pro-gun legislation, and answered GRNC’s candidate survey
with a perfect 100% score. GRNC–PVF recommends Ted Cruz for President.
US Senate (R): Undoubtedly, the most pro-gun candidate in the Republican primary election is Greg Brannon, who
again returned GRNC’s candidate survey with a perfect 100%, earning a four star evaluation (****). For purposes of the primary
election, GRNC–PVF recommends Brannon. That said, however, he is unlikely to win the primary election. Incumbent Richard
Burr has dropped only one gun vote and holds a three star evaluation (***). GRNC–PVF recommends supporting Burr in November.
US House
(Note:
The recommendations below are based on original districts. Litigation
over congressional districts will likely change this
candidate list for the June 7 Congressional primaries. Congressional
recommendations will change as needed.)
District 2 (R): Of
the three challengers to Renée Ellmers, only Tim
D’Annunzio returned GRNC’s candidate survey. Although he scored 100%,
earning a GRNC four-star evaluation (****), D’Annunzio has
proven himself unsuitable in previous elections. Meanwhile, whatever her
other conservative credentials, Ellmers has maintained a 100% pro-gun
voting
record, also earning GRNC’s highest four-star evaluation (****). GRNC–PVF recommends Ellmers for
Congress.
District 3 (R): With a 100% survey score and
a 97% pro-gun voting average, earning a GRNC four-star evaluation (****), GRNC–PVF continues to recommend incumbent Walter
Jones.
District 4 (R): In the Republican primary
for the seat anti-gun Democrat David Price has occupied for two decades, GRNC–PVF recommends Sue Gooch, who
returned
GRNC’s candidate survey with a score of 81%, earning three stars (***).
Opponent Teiji Kimball failed to return the survey, earning a zero star
evaluation (0).
District 5 (R): With a 100% GRNC survey
score and 100% pro-gun voting record earning GRNC’s highest four-star evaluation (****), GRNC–PVF continues to recommend
incumbent Virginia Foxx.
District 6
(R): Although the US House has not had any gun votes in the 114th Congress, on the basis of his 99% survey score and GRNC
four-star evaluation (****), GRNC–PVF recommends Mark Walker.
District 7 (R): Due to his 100% pro-gun voting record, earning GRNC’s four-star evaluation
(****), GRNC–PVF recommends David Rouzer.
District 9 (R): Realizing that incumbent Robert Pittenger has drawn fire from some conservative quarters, owing to
his 91% survey score and 100% voting record, earning GRNC’s four-star evaluation (****), GRNC–PVF continues to recommend
Robert Pittenger.
STATEWIDE
RACES:
North Carolina Governor (R): Although
challenger
Robert Brawley garnered a 100% pro-gun voting record while in the NC
House, earning GRNC’s four-star evaluation, he lacks the
resources to beat anti-gun Democrat Roy Cooper (GRNC 0-star) in the
November general election. Meanwhile, despite flaws, incumbent Pat
McCrory has
signed three pro-gun omnibus bills into law. GRNC–PVF recommends McCrory.
NC Governor (D): Both candidates in this race are
ranked 0–star by GRNC. Democrat gun voters should vote to keep
current Attorney General Roy Cooper out of office. During his tenure in
the NC Senate, Cooper demonstrated a long-standing antipathy to gun
rights,
including only a 58% pro-gun voting record. Accordingly, GRNC–PVF recommends Ken Spaulding.
North Carolina Attorney General (R): For
the open seat vacated by Roy Cooper, candidate
Jim O’Neil failed to return GRNC’s candidate survey, earning only a GRNC
zero star evaluation (0), and has made disparaging remarks about
pro-gun bill HB 562, showing his antipathy to gun rights. By contrast,
NC Senator Buck Newton has been a leader for gun rights, cementing
passage of
three omnibus pro-gun bills. With his 100% survey score and 100% pro-gun
voting record, Newton earned GRNC’s highest four-star
evaluation. GRNC – PVF recommends Buck Newton for Attorney General.
North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner (R): Incumbent
Steve Troxler (GRNC 0-star) has proven himself no
friend of gun owners. After HB 937 legalized concealed carry at
assemblies, Troxler continued to post the NC State Fair despite being
prohibited by
law. He later solicited Sen. Brent Jackson to sponsor legislation
enabling him to prohibit concealed carry. Then Troxler, apparently at
the behest of
former Food Lion CEO Tom Smith and big dollar donations, ended up in a
scheme to promote trophy deer farms at the risk of destroying indigenous
deer
populations through chronic wasting disease. By contrast, challenger
Andy Stevens is a gun rights activist and conservative who has
overturned local
gun restrictions across the state, and who vows to reverse Troxler’s
cronyism. Stevens returned GRNC’s survey with a perfect 100%, earning
a four-star evaluation (****). GRNC–PVF recommends Andy Stevens for Agriculture Commissioner.
NC Senate:
District 11 (R): For this open seat, Rick Horner returned GRNC’s survey with 97%,
earning four stars (****). Opponent Benton Sawrey failed to return the survey earning only a zero star evaluation (0). GRNC–PVF
recommends Horner.
District 31 (R): Challenger Dempsey
Brewer turned in a 97% survey earning four stars (****), but due to her 98% survey and 100% pro-gun voting record, GRNC–PVF
continues to recommend incumbent Joyce Krawiek (****).
District 33 (R): Both Kathy Dunn and Joe Kennedy turned in four-star (****) surveys, scoring 100% and 96%,
respectively. Eddie Gallimore failed to return the survey earning only a zero star (0) evaluation. GRNC–PVF recommends
Dunn.
District 35 (R): Noting that challenger Matt
Daly turned in a 90% survey, earning four stars (****), due to a 100% pro-gun voting record, GRNC–PVF continues to recommend
incumbent Tommy Tucker (****).
District 36 (R): For
this
open seat, Parish Moffitt turned in a 99% survey, earning four stars
(****), while opponents Amy Blake and Paul Newton failed to return the
survey earning zero stars (0). GRNC–PVF recommends Moffitt.
District 44 (R): Although challenger Chris Carney turned in a 100% survey, earning four stars
(****), GRNC-PVF continues to recommend incumbent David Curtis (****) due to his 100% pro-gun voting record.
District 45 (R): For this open seat, GRNC-PVF
recommends Ken Boham (survey score 86%, ***) over Deanna Ballard (survey-NR, 0-star).
District 48 (R): For this open seat, GRNC-PVF recommends Lisa
Baldwin (survey score 97%, ****) over Dennis Justice (survey-91, ****) and Chuck Edwards (survey-NR, 0-star).
NC House:
(Note: A large number of open seats plus a number of RINOs who voted against gun owners on omnibus pro-gun
bill HB 562 make NC House race is critical in 2016.)
District 6 (R): For this open seat, GRNC-PVF recommends Beverly Boswell (survey 86%, ***)
over Arthur Williams (survey-NR, 0-star) and Ashley Woolard (survey-NR, 0-star).
District 28 (R): For this open seat, GRNC-PVF recommends Gregory Dail (survey 96%, ****)
over Tony Braswell (survey-NR, 0-star) and Larry Strickland (survey-NR, 0-star).
District 36 (R): Longtime incumbent Nelson Dollar (***) voted against gun owners repeatedly on HB 562 and now has
only a 74% pro-gun voting record. GRNC-PVF recommends challenger Mark Villee (survey 93%, ****).
District 53 (R): Longtime incumbent David Lewis (***) voted
against gun owners repeatedly on HB 562 and now has only an 82% pro-gun voting record. GRNC-PVF recommends challenger Chuck
Levorse (survey 91%, ****).
District 67
(R): Pro-gun incumbent Justin Burr (****) has a 97% pro-gun
voting record and has sponsored pro-gun legislation. As a proven gun
rights
leader, GRNC-PVF recommends Justin Burr over challenger Lane Burris (survey 99, ****).
District 73 (R): Incumbent Lee Zachary (***) repeatedly voted against gun owners on HB
562, garnering only a 78% pro-gun voting record. GRNC-PVF recommends challenger Dwight Shook (survey 100%,
****).
District 77 (R): Longtime incumbent Harry
Warren (***) voted against gun owners repeatedly on HB 562 and now has only an 85% pro-gun voting record. GRNC-PVF recommends challenger
Andrew Poston (survey 98%, ****).
District 82 (R): Incumbent Larry Pittman
(****) is one of the most pro-gun members of the NC General Assembly.
Garnering a 96% pro-gun voting record, Pittman has sponsored numerous
pro-gun bills and his stood up against party leadership on behalf of gun
owners.
He is being targeted by RINOs who are behind “centrist” challenger
Michael Fischer (survey-NR, 0-star). GRNC-PVF strongly
recommends Larry Pittman.
District 87
(R): Incumbent George Robinson (***) repeatedly voted against gun owners on HB 562, garnering only a 78% pro-gun voting
record. GRNC-PVF recommends challenger Destin Hall (survey 100%, ****).
District 91 (R): In this three-way
primary, incumbent Kyle Hall was appointed in late 2015, meaning he has
no
gun rights voting record. Because he failed to return the GRNC survey,
he holds a zero star (0) evaluation, as does challenger Robert Knight
(survey-NR, 0-star). GRNC-PVF recommends Ira Tilley, who returned the survey with 100%, earning four stars
(****).
District 92 (R): Incumbent Charles Jeter
(**) repeatedly voted against gun owners on HB 562, garnering only a 69% pro-gun voting record. GRNC-PVF recommends challenger Tom
Davis (survey 93%, ****).
District 93
(R): Pro-gun incumbent Jonathan Jordan (****) has a 97% pro-gun voting record and has sponsored pro-gun legislation. As a proven gun
rights leader, GRNC-PVF recommends Jonathan Jordan over challenger Lou Hendricks (survey 97, ****).
District 95 (R): Anti-gun incumbent John Fraley repeatedly voted
against gun owners in the debate over HB 562, earning only a 67% pro-gun voting record and a zero star evaluation (0). GRNC-PVF
recommends challenger David Thompson (survey 93%, ****).
District 105 (R): In the race for
this open seat, Tim Morgan (***) returned an 86% survey, but in the past
has
used his school board to agitate against the limited concealed carry
provisions on educational properties enacted in 2013, demonstrating that
he is
not a friend of gun owners. Opponents Scott Stone returned GRNC survey
with 90%, earning four stars (****). GRNC-PVF recommends Scott
Stone.
District 113 (R): For this open
seat, GRNC-PVF recommends Cody Henson (survey 92%, ****) over Coty Ferguson (survey-NR, 0-star).
District 115 (R): For this open seat, GRNC-PVF
recommends Bob Chilmonik (survey 97%, ****) over Frank Moretz (survey-NR, 0-star).
District 119 (R): In this race to challenge anti-gun incumbent Joe Sam Queen, both Aaron Littlefield and Mike
Clampitt turned in perfect 100% surveys, earning four stars (****). Given that Clampitt nearly defeated Queen in 2014, GRNC-PVF
recommends Mike Clampitt.
District 120 (R): For
this open seat, Kevin Corbin turned in
a 95% survey earning four stars (****), but the clear standout is Elliot
Southworth (****) who not only turned in a near-perfect 99% survey,
earning
four stars, but has also volunteered his time as a gun rights activist
and directed youth shooting sports. GRNC-PVF recommends Elliot Southworth.

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Uncategorized

We Aren’t The Suppliers; Thieves Are The Suppliers

September 5, 2015 by 4 Comments

Willie Dixie, Jr. is the Special Agent in Charge of the BATFE’s Charlotte Field Division. He was interviewed earlier this week by WCNC – NBC Charlotte regarding gun thefts in North and South Carolina.

“We are the supplier of those firearms that end up in the northern cities,” Wayne Dixie, Jr. said.

Last year there were 256 guns stolen in South Carolina that ended up in just New York. Another 279 from North Carolina ended up there. And those numbers have been pretty steady over the last five years.

It’s not just stolen guns from here that make their way up North, others are bought here legally and make the same trek.

“North and South Carolina are source states…a lot of times people from the North will come down here and purchase firearms here because of lax gun laws.”

Sorry SAC Dixie, “we” aren’t the suppliers. Thieves and criminal organizations are the suppliers. When examining the BATFE’s own gun trace data for New York for 2014, North and South Carolina are not even the top source states. That honor goes to New York itself with five times as many traced guns as either North or South Carolina.

Also, what the hell do you mean by “lax gun laws”? Do you mean that because North Carolina has a greater appreciation for the Constitution (to which you took an oath) that we are “lax”?

Straw purchases are illegal whether done in downtown Charlotte or downtown Manhattan. Moreover, even private sales of handguns in North Carolina require either a pistol purchase permit or a concealed handgun permit to be legal. That pistol purchase permit system, by the way, was instituted by Democrats to keep African-Americans like yourself disarmed.

Your office conveniently proclaims when they have been involved in a conviction of any sort. Despite your so-called surge of FFL inspections started in 2014, I see only one reported set of convictions for either firearms theft or trafficking in the last two years. Indeed, more people were convicted of smuggling cigarettes than firearms if your releases are any indication.

No dealer ever wants to see firearms from his or her store used in a crime. Furthermore, none of them want to see firearms stolen from their store. Gun stores go to great lengths to protect their inventory and, unless I am mistaken, this is part of your inspection process.

You can see SAC Dixie’s statements below in his interview with Michelee Boudin of WCNC.

Uncategorized

NC Sets 2015-16 Webless Migratory Bird Seasons

July 20, 2015 by

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has set the dates for webless migratory bird hunting for 2015-2016. They also set the early seasons for Canada geese and teal.

A quick look shows that dove season starts on the traditional Saturday before Labor Day and that resident Canada geese inland from the coast must be getting to be a real problem. I say that last bit because the daily limit for geese during September is 15! Not only that but you can use an unplugged shotgun and electronic calls. I guess some golfers are upset about them pooping all over the manicured greens.

The other thing I noticed is that there must be some Biblical injunction about shooting birds on the Sabbath. The commission has said there shall be no migratory bird hunting on Sundays.

RALEIGH, N.C. (July 17, 2015) — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has approved the season dates for dove and other webless migratory game birds, as well as September seasons for Canada geese and teal.
Seasons and bag limits for most species are similar to last year. Shooting hours for all species are ½ hour before sunrise until sunset unless otherwise noted. Dove hunters should note that shooting hours for the entire season, including opening day, begin at ½ hour before sunrise. The change to opening day shooting hours for doves was implemented several years ago. 
Each year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provide frameworks from which to select the seasons and the Wildlife Commission chooses the actual dates within these guidelines. The Wildlife Commission requested public input on the seasons throughout June on its website.
The 2015–16 seasons for webless migratory game birds and waterfowl early seasons are:  
Species
Season
Daily Bag
Mourning Dove & White-winged Dove1
September 5 – October 10,
November 23 – January 15
15
King & Clapper Rails1
October 23 – November 28
15
Sora & Virginia Rails1
September 1 – October 3,
October 23 – November 28
25
Gallinule & Moorhens1
September 1 – October 3,
October 23 – November 28
15
Woodcock
December 17 – January 30
3
Common Snipe
November 13 – February 27
8
1Daily bag limit is either singly or in aggregate.
·      Federal guidelines allow for shooting hours for all migratory game birds to be from ½ hour before sunrise to sunset.
·      Possession limit is three times the daily bag for all species. 
·      These listed seasons do not include Sundays.  There shall be no hunting of migratory game birds by any method on Sundays.
Species
Season
Daily Bag
Canada Goose
September 1 – 30 (statewide)
1.  extend shooting hours to ½ hour after sunset
2.  allow use of unplugged guns
3.  allow use of electronic calls
These expanded methods are only to be allowed west of U.S. 17.
15
September Teal
(blue-winged, green-winged and cinnamon teal)
September 12 – 30 (East of U.S. 17 only)
6
·      Federal guidelines allow for shooting hours for all migratory game birds to be from ½ hour before sunrise to sunset.
·      Possession limit is three times the daily bag for all species. 
·      These listed seasons do not include Sundays.  There shall be no hunting of migratory game birds by any method on Sundays.
The 2015–16 extended falconry seasons for webless migratory game birds are:
Species
Season
Mourning dove/White-winged dove
October 15 – October 31
Rails, Gallinule and Moorhens
December 5 – January 9
Woodcock
November 7 – December 5 &
February 1 – February 27
  • The falconry daily bag limit is 3 permitted migratory game birds, singly or in the aggregate.  The regular, i.e., gun season bag limits for individual species do not apply.
  • The falconry bag limit is not in addition to the gun bag limit.
  • These listed seasons do not include Sundays.  There shall be no hunting of migratory game birds by any method on Sundays.
For more information on migratory game bird hunting, visit Waterfowl and Migratory Game Birds in North Carolina. For more information on hunter safety, hunting regulations and the free Hunting Heritage Apprentice Permits, go to www.ncwildlife.org/hunting