GRNC

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Save The Date – GRNC Annual Meeting

November 23, 2025 by 0 Comments

Grass Roots North Carolina will be having its 31st annual meeting in Raleigh on Saturday, December 6th. It will be held at Triangle Shooting Academy, 6501 Mt Herman Rd, Raleigh, NC 27617. Preceding the meeting will be a training seminar for activists and following the meeting there will be an impromptu Christmas party.

See below for more details:

Thanks to the generosity of Triangle Shooting Academy (TSA) and its world-class facility, GRNC will hold its 31st annual meeting, together with a legislative tactics seminar, on December 6, 2025 at Triangle Shooting Academy, 6501 Mt Herman Rd, Raleigh, NC 27617. Afterward, we will also have an informal get-together at Irish “gastropub” called Tra’li Brier Creek at 10370 Moncreiffe Rd., Raleigh, NC 27617. See details below.

December 6th Agenda

9:30 AM – 12:30 PM: “Defending the 2nd Amendment in a Politically Polarized Environment”

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM:     Grass Roots North Carolina 2025 Annual Meeting

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM:     GRNC board of directors meeting

4:00 PM – 6:00 PM:     GRNC Christmas party & informal get together at Tra’li Brier Creek

Seminar by Paul Valone:

‘Defending the 2nd Amendment in a Politically Polarized Environment’

Learn how GRNC has won so many legislative battles in the 31 years of its existence. Taught by GRNC co-founder and president Paul Valone, you will learn why conventional lobbying fails by comparison to grass roots mobilization, and why everything you have heard about politics is conveniently wrong. We invite people interested in volunteering at the NC General Assembly with GRNC’s Legislative Action Team to join us, as well as anyone interested in learning better ways to defend your rights. Please RSVP to DirectorOfDevelopment@GRNC.org.

Seminar topics:

  • Why you are probably unprepared for political action
  • The real nature of politics
  • The real nature of politicians
  • The nature of your opposition
  • Issue management
  • Political mechanics of direct action – it ain’t ‘Mr. Smith Goes to Washington’
  • Legislative action via grass roots mobilization
  • How & why we must WIN ELECTIONS

GRNC Legislative Action Team needs you!

GRNC is looking for volunteers for our Legislative Action Team to help pass constitutional carry in the upcoming session of the General Assembly. In addition to performing a vital function, legislative team members will learn valuable skills useful in defending your freedom. Attending the legislative tactics seminar above is recommended, but not required. If you can serve, please contact DirectorOfDevelopment@GRNC.org .

Lunch break (12:30-1:00 PM)

For those staying for both events, we will take a lunch break from 12:30 to 1:00. Catered lunches will be available from TSA’s excellent café, Nero’s.

2025 GRNC Annual Meeting (1:00-2:30 PM)

The Grass Roots North Carolina Annual Meeting will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Triangle Shooting Academy, 6501 Mt Herman Rd, Raleigh, NC 27617. A short meeting of the board of directors will follow.

Christmas party & get together

At 4:00 PM, GRNC will have an informal Christmas party and get together at an Irish “gastropub” called Tra’li Brier Creek at 10370 Moncreiffe Rd., Raleigh, NC 27617. If you plan to attend the party, please RSVP to DirectorOfDevelopment@GRNC.org to give us an idea how many are attending.

Voting Members

If you are a paid and current member of Grass Roots North Carolina, you should already have received a proxy postcard for use if you are unable to attend. Please return it ASAP. If you need another proxy, you can mail in the one below. Thanks for helping us make GRNC possible!

As a follow-up note, as the Secretary-Treasurer of GRNC, I will be the one voting your proxy. I didn’t realize that until I got my own proxy card!

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Training For 2A Activists

November 9, 2025 by

Paul Valone, President of Grass Roots North Carolina, will be leading a seminar for 2A activists on Thursday, November 13th. It will train you on how to mobilize the base, how to use direct action to hold public officials accountable, and how to expose and defeat polices that are anti-rights. This seminar will be online and is FREE.

Details and how to register are below:

Defending the Second Amendment Free Strategic Webinar 11/13/25
Every time the political winds shift, one truth remains: enemies of the Second Amendment do not rest. Whether you’re shocked or unsurprised by the November 2025 election results, you can count on one outcome—relentless pressure to weaken your rights.That ends where you get organized.

On November 13, 2025, join a free, first-of-its-kind webinar, “Defending the Second Amendment,” led by nationally recognized gun rights strategist and GRNC co-founder Paul Valone.

👉 Register now:
https://www.litraining.org/event/f0201c57-2db3-4fef-aa43-125114b16236/defending-the-second-amendment-webinar- 

This is not theory. This is applied Constitutionalism.

You will learn how to:

Deploy grassroots mobilization that puts real pressure on politicians

Use direct action in both legislative and election operations

Expose and defeat policies designed to choke off your rights

Hold officials accountable and well-behaved from your town council to the statehouse

The government is not going to limit itself. That job falls to informed, disciplined citizens who know how to fight smart, hit strategically, and never cede ground.

If you’re tired of watching your rights negotiated away, this is your line in the sand.

Attend this free training and learn how YOU can shape policy and decision-making in your local, county, and state government. 
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Permitless Carry In NC Needs Your Help

June 9, 2025 by

SB 50 – Freedom to Carry NC – has passed the NC Senate and has now passed out of the NC House Judiciary 2 Committee. It is now in the House Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House Committee which is the last step before coming to the floor of North Carolina House. It is thought it could be voted on in committee either Tuesday, June 10th, or Wednesday, June 11th.

Update: The bill is on the Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House Committee schedule for tomorrow, June 10th.

Grass Roots North Carolina released the following alert asking for people to contact the Rules Committee to urge its passage.

TELL HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE
 REPUBLICANS TO PASS SB50
 
Senate Bill 50  (“Freedom to Carry NC”) is likely on to get a hearing in the Rules Committee on  Tuesday June 10, 2025.

That’s the good news.  We know that the Dems are planning stiff opposition to this bill and will likely throw all their underhanded tactics to slow it down and defeat it. You can be sure the anti-gun lobby will be present in numbers to try and defeat liberty. 

We need you to remind the Rules Committee Republicans who “brung ’em to the dance,” and tell them what you expect them to do.

We also need you to show up and let them know we’re serious about getting this passed. Location and directions below.

Remind them that we were denied permitless carry in 2023… We expect it in 2025.

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED

CONTACT NC House Republican Members on the House Committee on Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House: Contact the Rules Committee Republican Members and tell them to approve SB 50.

Meet at the “Printed Bills” room at 8:30 am on June 10th. Location map and directions below.

DONATE TO GRNC: We are still low on funds after our highly successful election effort. Please donate by going to: grnc.org/wp/2012/06/donate-to-or-join-grnc/  . 
                                                 NCGenAssyLegBldgMap830am.jpg CONTACT INFORMATION

NC HOUSE  Rules CommitteeREPUBLICANS 

A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Blair Eddins, Brenden H. Jones – Vice Chair
Charles W. Miller, Donna McDowell White, Erin Paré – Vice Chair
Jimmy Dixon, John A. Torbett, John R. Bell, IV – Chair
Karl E. Gillespie, Kelly E. Hastings, Kyle Hall, Neal Jackson
Sarah Stevens, Steve Tyson, Ted Davis, Jr., Tricia Ann Cotham – Vice Chair
William D. Brisson

Below, find a copy-paste email list you can use to easily contact these representatives. Beneath that, in the Deliver This Message section, find the copy-paste message to use

Reece.Pyrtle@ncleg.gov;Blair.Eddins@ncleg.gov;Brenden.Jones@ncleg.gov;
Charles.Miller@ncleg.gov;Donna.White@ncleg.gov;Erin.Pare@ncleg.gov;
Jimmy.Dixon@ncleg.gov;John.Torbett@ncleg.gov;John.Bell@ncleg.gov;
Karl.Gillespie@ncleg.gov;Kelly.Hastings@ncleg.gov;Kyle.Hall@ncleg.gov;
Neal.Jackson@ncleg.gov;Sarah.Stevens@ncleg.gov;Steve.Tyson@ncleg.gov;
Ted.Davis@ncleg.gov;Tricia.Cotham@ncleg.gov;William.Brisson@ncleg.gov


DELIVER THIS MESSAGE

Suggested Subject: Vote Yes on SB 50 Freedom to Carry

Dear Rules Committee Member: 

I am writing because I understand that SB50 (“Freedom to Carry NC”) has is to be considered in your committee on Tuesday, and I want to voice my full support for this bill and encourage you to vote for it. 

About three-fifths of our country’s states already have constitutional concealed carry in some form or another, and it is long past due for North Carolina. I am calling on you to make sure our state lives up to its “First in Freedom” moniker, and to not leave us languishing on this matter once again. We were promised Constitutional Carry in 2023. We’re expecting it in 2025. 

In large part, gun voters are responsible for the majorities Republicans currently enjoy in the General Assembly, and I expect you to live up to the promise of conservative leadership that we voted for, including and especially when it comes to the Second Amendment. Vote to move SB50 forward.  

I will be monitoring your actions on this important matter through legislative alerts from Grass Roots North Carolina.  
Respectfully,

This is just one more necessary step to make North Carolina the 30th state to adopt permitless carry. Given that one of the license plate slogans in North Carolina is “First in Freedom”, it is time to pass this bill.

Gov. Josh Stein (D-NC) has signaled that he intends to veto the bill if passed.

However, the bill’s path to law faces a major roadblock if it successfully passes through the House: Democratic Gov. Josh Stein. On Tuesday, Stein suggested to reporters that he would veto it if it passes the House, which could be his first veto since taking office in January.

“My standard reviewing any piece of legislation is, will this make us safer?” Stein said when asked about Senate Bill 50. “I don’t know what the version of the bill is today. I was going to see what they ultimately do with this bill. If it doesn’t make us safer – and the previous version certainly did not – I cannot support it.”

I don’t think this is a surprise to anyone who has followed firearms politics in North Carolina in recent years. Democrats have been fairly united in opposing any measure aimed at removing any of the restrictions on firearm rights. Whether it was allowing churches with attached private schools to protect their congregations or removing the Jim Crow-era pistol purchase permits, they have voted as a bloc. Indeed, their treatment of any legislator such as Rep. Tricia Cotham who was absent for the vote on these bills was so vindictive that it proved to be counter-productive.

With the Republicans only one vote short of a super-majority in the House and holding a super-majority in the Senate, timing is going to be the key to overriding the veto. All it will take is 2-3 Democrats being absent on the day the override is brought forward for it be successful.

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Counteract Everytown Protestors At General Assembly

April 16, 2025 by

Everytown and their affiliated organizations will be having a news conference and their “Annual Advocacy Day” in Raleigh at 11am. They are targeting S50/H5 which would make North Carolina the 30th state to allow permitless concealed carry. They are calling it “dangerous legislation” and, of course, are predicting that blood will run in the streets if the law is passed. In other words, the same old same old.

As a counter to this protest, Grass Roots North Carolina is requesting that people should contact House Rules Committee Republicans starting at 10am and continue through noon. H5 is sitting in Rules Committee having passed out of the House Judiciary 2 Committee.

Here is the GRNC Alert with suggested wording for calls and emails.

COUNTERACT “EVERYTOWN’S”
ANTI-GUN PROTEST 

GRNC has been alerted to the fact that Everytown for Gun Safety —an anti-gun group that has been funded in large part by far left politician and financier, Michael Bloomberg—is planning a protest this Wednesday (4/16/2025) outside the General Assembly, in Raleigh. Although it may be obvious that groups like this tend to operate with rent-a-mobs who don’t represent the true grass roots, it’s important that we remind our representatives of this, lest they wonder and take pause at any critical moments. 

You see, currently, H5 (“NC Constitutional Carry Act”) and S50 (“Freedom to Carry NC”) are in the General Assembly’s House Rules Committee, so let’s make sure Republicans in that committee understand where North Carolina’s actual Grass Roots voters stand on these pro-Second Amendment bills. 

Use Strategic Timing to Contact Key Republicans 
Below, see how you can contact key members of the House Rules Committee with strategic timing. You can reassure them that any shrill anti-gun protestor they may see, or hear, are just that, and the committee members can remain comfortable in the knowledge that the voters who actually sent them to Raleigh are strongly in favor of the ‘Constitutional Carry’ bills currently under debate. We’ll be phoning and emailing the members between 10:00 AM and noon on Wednesday (4/16), because Everytown’s protest begins at 11:00 AM, hence the “strategic” portion of this. See more below.  
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!

PHONE COMMITTEEE CHAIR & VICE-CHAIRS:  Wednesday, between 10:00 AM and noon (or as soon as you can after that), telephone the Chair and the Vice-Chairs of the House Rules Committee. Find their phone numbers in the chart below. Deliver the following, friendly message: 

 “I am calling to voice my full support for the ‘Constitutional Carry’ bills currently before the House Rules Committee. I want to be clear that, contrary to what you might see outside today, I am not a paid member of a protest group funded by a wealthy anti-gun crusader from New York. I am a real North Carolina voter, and I voted to send Republicans to Raleigh to enact pro-gun legislation. As these bills are debated, please know that you have my full support on House Bill 5 and Senate Bill 50. Thank you!” 

EMAIL KEY COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  Anytime between now and Wednesday at 12:00 noon (or as soon as you can after that), email all of the key members of the House Rules Committee, and encourage them to support the ‘Constitutional Carry’ bills. Below, you’ll find a copy-paste email list, and a copy-paste message you can use to easily send the message.  

 PLEASE CONTRIBUTE TO GRNC: Help us fight gun control while we promote Second Amendment principles. Please CLICK HERE to contribute. Bear in mind that GRNC is an all-volunteer organization, so you can be sure your donations are put to the best possible use. Any amount helps, and any amount is appreciated.
CONTACT INFO   Phone Number List: 
Representative Phone Number  John R. Bell, IV (Chair)  (919) 715-3017  Tricia Ann Cotham  (919) 733-5886  Brenden H. Jones  (919) 733-5821  Erin Paré  (919) 733-2962

Copy-Paste Email List: 

John.Bell@ncleg.gov; Tricia.Cotham@ncleg.gov; Brenden.Jones@ncleg.gov; Erin.Pare@ncleg.gov; William.Brisson@ncleg.gov; Ted.Davis@ncleg.gov; Jimmy.Dixon@ncleg.gov; Blair.Eddins@ncleg.gov; Karl.Gillespie@ncleg.gov; Kyle.Hall@ncleg.gov; Neal.Jackson@ncleg.gov; Charles.Miller@ncleg.gov; Ray.Pickett@ncleg.gov; Reece.Pyrtle@ncleg.gov; Sarah.Stevens@ncleg.gov; John.Torbett@ncleg.gov; Steve.Tyson@ncleg.gov; Donna.White@ncleg.gov

DELIVER THIS MESSAGE

 Suggested Subject: Genuine NC Voters Support ‘Constitutional Carry’   

Dear House Rules Committee Member: 

I am writing to voice my full support for the ‘Constitutional Carry’ bills currently before the House Rules Committee, and I’m encouraging you to do whatever is in your legislative power to advance ‘Constitutional Carry’ in our state. 

I want to be clear that, contrary to what you might see outside today, I am not a paid member of a likely-rented protest group, like Everytown for Gun “Safety,” which is funded by an anti-gun, out-of-state billionaire. I am an actual North Carolina pro-gun voter, who purposely sent Republicans like you to Raleigh to enact pro-gun legislation. As these bills are debated, please know that you have my full support, and the support of all NC gun voters on House Bill 5 and Senate Bill 50. 

All that to say, if you notice a lot of anti-gun noise coming from outside today, ignore it. It’s not from genuine grass roots voters, and you have the full support of the real grass roots voters, like me, who are monitoring your actions on this important matter through legislative alerts from Grass Roots North Carolina. 

Respectfully,  

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NC Senate Rules Committee Hearing On S.50 – Freedom To Carry NC

March 19, 2025 by 1 Comment

The NC Senate Rules Committee hearing on S.50 – Freedom to Carry NC – lasted just under 30 minutes. After some preliminary introductions, Sen. Danny Britt (R-Hoke, Robeson, Scotland), the primary sponsor of S.50, introduced the bill and described its content.

Questions were raised by Sen. Paul Lowe (D-Forsyth) about training, Sen. Julie Mayfield (D-Buncombe) with some general questions, and Sen. Ralph Hise (R-WNC) who asked what other right requires you to get a permit.

It was then opened to public comment. Ken Stallings and Karen Raines represented Grass Roots North Carolina and urged passage. Likewise Sarah Kettle of the NRA spoke in favor of the bill with some reservations due to some of the restrictions on who qualifies. Opposing the bill were representatives from the left-wing activist group Democracy Out Loud, Dr. Anna Ruderman – a pediatrician from Durham, and a couple more whose affiliation I didn’t get.

The bottom line is that S.50 has now passed the Senate Rules Committee and will go to the floor of the State Senate.

The full hearing can be viewed in the video below. I would suggest viewing it on YouTube to be able to see and hear it better.

UPDATE: S.50 will have a floor vote on Thursday!

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S.50 Goes To Senate Rules Committee Today

March 19, 2025 by

S.50, Freedom to Carry NC, passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on a party-line vote yesterday. It goes to the NC Senate’s Rules Committee for a hearing today at noon. If you can be there, it would be great. If not – and this is more likely for most people – send an email the Republicans on the Rules Committee using the information from the GRNC alert below.

From GRNC:

ENCOURAGE KEY SENATE RULES
COMMITTEE REPUBLICANS ON
PERMITLESS CARRY 

SB 50 PASSES SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE AND IS ON ITS WAY TO RULES COMMITTEE

In what appeared to be a party-line vote, Senate Bill 50, “Freedom to Carry NC,” received a favorable report today from the NC Senate Judiciary Committee, and will now head for the Senate Rules Committee for a second hearing, likely tomorrow at 12:00 Noon. If it passes in Rules, it will go to a Senate floor vote. Senate Republicans were united in speaking on behalf of the bill, particularly Senators. Danny Britt, Warren Daniel, Eddie Settle, Buck Newton, and Paul Newton. Senator. Michael Lazzara moved for favorable report to pass the bill, which passed by voice vote.Speaking against the bill were Democrats Sydney Batch, Sophia Chitlik, Lisa Grafstein, and Mujtaba Mohammed.GRNC Legislative Team member Ken Stallings addressed the committee on the bill, noting that none of the 29 states which have already adopted permitless carry have had problems. GRNC LAT member Karen Raines also spoke, noting that she should not require governmental permission to carry firearms for self-protection, and that as a short-statured female, she represented people who will most benefit from the law.Among the usual suspects who oppose individual self-defense was Becky Ceartas of North Carolinians “Against Gun Violence,” who spewed a variety of phony studies in her unsuccessful bid to defeat the bill.                                               

SB 50 will be heard by Senate Rules Committee TOMORROW (3/19)
 Please meet at “Printed Bills” arrive by no later than 11:00 AM for a 12:00 Noon Meeting
                                                                SEE LOCATION BELOW IN THIS ALERT

Time is of the essence for your e-mails and calls, and attendance at  the meeting. 
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED
ENCOURAGE KEY SENATE RULES COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Tell Senate Rules Committee Republicans to pass SB50:

Please Contact a select group of SENATE Rules and Operations Committee Republicans to encourage them to support SB 50.  Below, find a copy-paste email list you can use to easily contact these representatives. Beneath that, in the Deliver This Message section, find the copy-paste message to use.

CONTACT INFORMATION

NC SENATE “Key” RULES COMMITTEE REPUBLICANS (copy-paste email list):

Bill Rabon, Lisa Barnes, Amy Galey, Ralph Hise, Brent Jackson, Todd Johnson, Michael Lazarra, Michael Lee,
Tom McInnis, Paul Newton, Norman Sanderson, and Benton Sawrey, and Vickey Sawyer

Bill.Rabon@ncleg.gov; Lisa.Barnes@ncleg.gov; Amy.Galey@ncleg.gov; Ralph.Hise@ncleg.gov ; Brent.Jackson@ncleg.gov; Todd.Johnson@ncleg.gov; Michael.Lazzara@ncleg.gov; Michael.Lee@ncleg.gov ; Tom.McInnis@ncleg.gov; Paul.Newton@ncleg.gov; Norman.Sanderson@ncleg.gov; Benton.Sawrey@ncleg.gov ; Vickie.Sawyer@ncleg.gov;
ATTEND THE MEETING:Tomorrow March 19, 2025 12:00 Noon, The committee will meet in the Legislative Building,  16 W. Jones St., Room 1027/1128 (note:1027 is the public entrance). Please arrive by no later than 11 AM and meet at “Printed bills” . See map below:Legislative Building Map.jpg
DONATE TO GRNC: We are still low on funds after our highly successful election effort. Please donate by going to: grnc.org/wp/2012/06/donate-to-or-join-grnc/  
DELIVER THIS MESSAGE

Suggested Subject: Please pass SB 50, “Freedom to Carry NC”
Dear Senate Rules Committee Members::
Urban sheriffs in Mecklenburg County, Wake County, and elsewhere have deliberately delayed concealed handgun permits for more than a year, even requiring four lawsuits to free up permit issuance. Meanwhile, criminals carry firearms while lawful citizens are being obstructed from protecting themselves.I strongly urge you to pass SB 50, “Freedom to Carry NC” because I should not need a government permission slip to exercise basic civil rights.As always, I will be monitoring your actions through the efforts of the Grass Roots NC legislative alerts and whether you stood with us on this important issue.
Thank you for your consideration regarding this very important legislation.
Respectfully,
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Permitless Carry Gets Hearing In NC Senate Tomorrow

March 17, 2025 by

S.50, Freedom to Carry NC, will get its first hearing in the North Carolina Senate tomorrow morning. It will be one of three bills being considered by the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. The hearing will be chaired by Sen. Buck Newton (R-Green, Wayne, Wilson) who is a longtime gun rights supporter. More importantly, Senate President Pro-Tem Phil Berger (R-Guilford, Rockingham) is a co-sponsor of the bill meaning it is likely to pass the Senate.

Grass Roots North Carolina issued this alert this evening.

ENCOURAGE KEY SENATE JUDICIARY 2
COMMITTEE REPUBLICANS ON
CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY 
About SB 50

As you probably know by now,  Senate Bill 50 (“NC Freedom to Carry”) is in the process of becoming NC law. We are very thankful to sponsors  Dan Britt, Buck Newton, and  Warren Daniel for their 2A Leadership in North Carolina.

We greatly appreciate the support we’ve received from you and the rest of our members thus far, but we must be diligent and make sure the Senate Bill SB50 makes it across the finish line. Below, you will find a message and contact information for several key Senate Republicans. Please contact them so that they know this bill has the support of gun-rights voters like you. 

SB 50 will be heard by Senate Judiciary TOMORROW (3/18) at 11:00 AM. So time is of the essence for your e-mails and calls, and attendance at  the meeting. 
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED
ENCOURAGE KEY SENATE J2 COMMITTEE MEMBERS

PLEASE CONTACT THESE KEY SENTATE REPUBLICAN MEMBERS:

 Contact a select group of SENATE J2 Committee Republicans to encourage them to support SB 50.  Below, find a copy-paste email list you can use to easily contact these representatives. Beneath that, in the Deliver This Message section, find the copy-paste message to use.CONTACT INFORMATION

NC SENATE “Key” J2 SENATE REPUBLICANS (copy-paste email list):

David Craven, Amy Galey, Michael Lazarra, Michael Lee, Paul Newton,
Brad Overcash, Norman Sanderson, and Benton Sawrey

David.Craven@ncleg.gov ; Amy.Galey@ncleg.gov; Michael.Lazzara@ncleg.gov ;  Michael.Lee@ncleg.gov;
Paul.Newton@ncleg.gov; Brad.Overcash@ncleg.gov ; Norman.Sanderson@ncleg.gov; Benton.Sawrey@ncleg.gov

ATTEND THE MEETING:Tomorrow March 18, 2025, the committed will meet in the 544 LOB (Legislative Office Building) at 11:00 AM. See the map and parking directions below:
Legislative complex map-3.jpgDONATE TO GRNC: We are still low on funds after our highly successful election effort. Please donate by going to: grnc.org/wp/2012/06/donate-to-or-join-grnc/   



DELIVER THIS MESSAGE

Suggested Subject: Please Move SB 50 Forward (Freedom to Carry) Out of Committee

Dear Senator:

To date, 29 states have supported and passed the permit less (Constitutional) Carry law.  Much research has been done on this issue, States with constitutional carry “Right To Carry” laws have been shown to lower violent gun crimes rates in these states.  North Carolina can join in this data with our own permit-less carry law.   With this law, gun owners will still have to meet the same criteria as law abiding citizens with carry permits, but without the need for a “permission slip” and the fee to exercise a constitutional right.

We are urging you to support this legislation and make North Carolina, the Great Old North State, part of the progressing constitutionally sound states respecting the integrity of their citizens’ right to carry peacefully and responsibly.  The outlaws already have an abundance of weaponry at their disposal, we need to make sure our good law-abiding citizens have a way to protect themselves and their families.
As always, I will be monitoring your actions through the efforts of the Grass Roots NC legislative alerts and whether you stood with us on this important issue.

As you may also imagine, gun voters will come out to defend Republican supporters of SB50 who represent districts who have a marginal majority of support in November. 

Thank you for your consideration regarding this very important legislation.

Respectfully,
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Overreach In Pitt County, NC

February 20, 2025 by

Grass Roots North Carolina has issued an alert about the actions of the Pitt County (NC) County Commissioners. The commissioners have passed a firearms ordinance that makes discharge of a firearm between certain hours a misdemeanor. In the meantime, they are also considering a change to their zoning ordinances that make the discharge ordinance a moving target. I guess one should not be surprised that this is coming from a county named after a British prime minister.

From the GRNC Alert:

PITT CO. CONTINUES ITS OVERREACH
ITEMS ON AGENDA FOR 2/24/2025 MEETING

“In Pitt County’s desperate attempt to “do something” about their imported criminal problem, they can’t seem to accurately define exactly what needs to be prohibited… In their repeated rewrites, they can’t even conform regulations to what the state already has in statute.

It’s hard for them to make up definitions. “Propellants” are used in modern cartridges, not “explosives”. But it’s not our job to help them accurately rewrite their infringements.PITT CO.’s Latest firearm ordinance Discharging A Firearm at Night, criminalize “firearm” discharges at night between the hours of 9:30 PM until 6:30 AM as a Class 3 misdemeanor and a fine of not more than $500 and/or imprisonment for not more than thirty (30) days.At most, this should be a civil infraction or covered by a noise ordinance. This is a ham-fisted clumsily attempt to address noise complaints with overreaching criminal consequences.

The ordinance is also a moving target dependent upon fluid “zoning” regulations and definitions changeable under Pitt County Zoning Ordinance 12.  It’s just bad rulemaking open to interpretation and changeable via whim.  Emotionally charged language criminalizes and over penalizes what should at most be infractions of law.

Further more, this likely conflicts with the NC General assembly’s latest rulemaking on “downzoning” and has criminal implications.  How can this possibly be enforced without complicated interpretations of zoning law. And why should any consequences be determined or adjudicated through a “zoning” board of appeals. 

GRNC is of course against unlawful,  irresponsible and dangerous behavior that results in firearms rounds crossing into or across another person’s property or public areas. However, the Discharging a Firearm Across Property Lines ordinance is unnecessarily full of emotionally charged language with examples such as “parks”, “childcare facility”, “Schools”,  “medical facility”, “park” or “recreational area”.  Are other areas, locations not named, or not included not significant?  These areas need to be removed, and legally defensible language used. 

GRNC urges every citizen to oppose these unnecessary infringements and write Pitt county commissioners: “GRNC strongly urges you to oppose the proposed ordinance. If the commission insists on passing this ill conceived ordinance into law, at least reduce the penalty for discharge of a firearm at night to a civil infraction.”

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!
 CALL & EMAIL PITT CO. COMMISSIONERS: If you previously called, please do it again!   Using the contact information and copy-and-paste message below, you can make your outrage heard to these meddling bureaucrats.

ATTEND THE FEB 24th MEETING: The Pitt Co. Commission plans to vote on the ordinance on FEB 24th. We must again pack this meeting with angry gun rights voters.  The meeting will be held at 6:00 PM at the Mark Owens, Jr. Auditorium,  Pitt County Agricultural Center 403 Government Circle Greenville,  NC 27834, Commissioners’ Auditorium, Greenville, NC 27834. A GRNC representative will be at the meeting.  

PLEASE CONTRIBUTE TO GRNC: Help us fight gun control while we promote Second Amendment principles. Please CLICK HERE to contribute. Bear in mind that GRNC is an all-volunteer organization, so you can be sure your donations are put to the best possible use. Any amount helps, and any amount is appreciated.

CONTACT INFO   Copy & paste list: (Note: The copy and paste list does not include Commissioner Lauren White, who opposes the ordinance.

To express your thanks for her opposition, you may email her at her e-mail address listed below):  rochelle@rochellebrown.net;  ann.floydhuggins@pittcountync.gov; benji.holloman@pittcountync.gov ; king2006mac@yahoo.com; Chris.Nunnally@gmail.com; pittcounty.commissionerd2@gmail.com;  mark.smith@pittcountync; mac1958@centurylink.net

Phone numbers (all numbers 252 area code): Rochelle Brown  702-1987 Ann Floyd Huggins 252-757-1444 Benji Holloman 714-6311 Melvin C. McLawhorn 327-6559 Christopher Nunnally 917-7374 Mary Perkins-Williams 751-6686 Mark C. Smith 916-5171 Mac Manning 341-0001

Lauren already opposes the ordinances: So please give her your appreciation Lauren White, 341-5522,  laurenashley318@yahoo.com
DELIVER THIS MESSAGE

Suggested Subject: “Oppose PITT CO. Shooting Ordinances”  

Dear Commissioner,   PITT CO.’s Latest firearm ordinances criminalize “firearm” discharges at night between the hours of 9:30 PM until 6:30 AM as a Class 3 misdemeanor and a fine of not more than $500 and/or imprisonment for not more than thirty (30) days. At most this should be a civil infraction or covered by a noise ordinance. This is a ham-fisted clumsily attempt to address noise complaints and an imported criminal problem.

The ordinance is also a moving target dependent upon fluid “zoning” regulations and definitions changeable under Pitt County Zoning Ordinance 12.  It’s just bad rulemaking open to interpretation and changeable via whim. 

Furthermore, this likely conflicts with the NC General assembly’s latest rulemaking on “downzoning” and has criminal implications.  How can this possibly be enforced without complicated interpretations of zoning law. And why should any firearms consequences be determined or adjudicated through a “zoning board of appeals. 

GRNC and everyone, are of course against unlawful, irresponsible and dangerous behavior that results in firearms rounds crossing into or across another person’s property or public areas. However, the Discharging a Firearm Across Property Lines ordinance is unnecessarily full of emotionally charged language and locations with examples such as “parks”, “childcare facility”, “Schools”, “medical facility”, “park” or “recreational area”.  Are other areas or locations not named not included or not significant?  These areas need to be removed, and legally defensible language applied.

I and GRNC strongly urges you to oppose the proposed ordinance. If the commission insists on passing these ill conceived ordinances into law, at least reduce the penalty for discharge of a firearm at night to a civil infraction.   Respectfully,
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Battle For Permitless Concealed Carry In NC Starts Again

January 21, 2025 by 2 Comments

Grass Roots North Carolina is restarting the battle for permitless concealed carry in North Carolina again. It starts with a petition to the Republican leaders of the North Carolina House and Senate calling on them to start committee hearings and floor votes to bring this legislation forward. No bills have been filed as of yet as the House and Senate do not convene until January 29th.

2025 Constitutional Carry petition (1)Download

People can also sign this petition electronically and it is actually much easier to do it that way. GRNC’s goal is a minimum of 1,000 petitions to present to the GOP leaders of the General Assembly. As I write this, they are 25% of the way to their goal.

You may remember that HR 189 – Freedom to Carry NC Act – had passed its first two readings in the NC House back in 2023 and was headed to a third and final reading when the bill got pulled. As I said at the time, you had your choice on who to blame for the bill being pulled. It could have been then-Speaker Tim Moore who insisted on a training component regarding the use of deadly force, it could have been Sen. President Pro-Tem Phil Berger who had said enough gun bills had been passed, or it could have been the NRA who objected to the bill at the last moment due to the training component.

Frankly, the NRA should never have objected to the bill even with the training component and that is one of the reasons I am running for the NRA Board of Directors. I am determined to see NRA-ILA “play nice” with other 2A organizations even on bills that didn’t originate with them. Objecting to the bill was a NRA v1.0 move and one that NRA 2.0 will hopefully never do.

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NRA Petition Candidate – Jim Sheckels

September 14, 2024 by 1 Comment

Jim Sheckels is a fellow North Carolinian who lives in Fayetteville. He brings a ton of experience to the table ranging from 21 years in the US Army and another 20 plus years with the Department of Defense as a civilian to being a NRA training counselor and a Master Hunter Education Instructor. Frankly, there is too much stuff there to list. However, what solidified my support for Jim is when I found out he was a life member of Grass Roots North Carolina. That told me everything about his unwavering support for the Second Amendment.

You can read more about Jim’s experience and activities in his bio below:

James Jim Sheckels BIODownload

You can return Jim’s petition either to him directly at 6916 Glynn Mill Farm Dr, Fayetteville, NC 28306. Alternatively, you can return it along with other petitions to Rocky Marshall. That address is Frontier Truck Gear, Attn Rocky Marshall, PO Box 277, Center Point, TX 78010. Regardless of which address you send it, the petition should be sent so that it arrives by September 30th. Both the Complementary Spouse and I have signed his petition.

As with all of these petition candidates, if you can get more voting members to sign it, so much the better. A voting member is a) a Life Member of whatever level or b) an Annual Member with five years of continuous membership without a break.

James Sheckels PetitionDownload