North Carolina

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S.50-Freedom To Carry NC Passes NC Senate (Updated)

March 20, 2025 by 0 Comments

The permitless concealed carry bill, S.50 – Freedom to Carry NC, passed the NC Senate on a 27-17 vote and has been sent to the House. The actual roll call is not up yet to see who made up the six missing votes.

In other news, the House’s complementary bill H5 has been referred to the House Rules, Calendar, and Operations Committee. Their calendar is not up so we can’t see when it will be heard by them.

As soon as the Senate roll call is released, I will have it up here.

UPDATE: The Senate roll call for the 2nd Reading of S.50 is now posted. The final vote was 26-18 on a straight party line vote. Given excused absences were Democrats Applewhite and Chaudhuri and Republicans Barnes, P. Newton, Rabon, and Sawyer. When it comes to overriding the expected veto all Republican must be there and voting in the affirmative.

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We Can’t Let The Proles Carry Without Our Permission Slip!

March 20, 2025 by 0 Comments

On the heels of S. 50 – Freedom to Carry NC passing out of the NC Senate Rules Committee came a press release issued early yesterday evening. It is from Everytown and their assorted groups announcing a rally in Raleigh to protest permitless concealed carry. The thought of the unwashed masses exercising their fundamental Constitutional rights to protect their families and themselves is anathema to them.

They plan to hold a “press conference” in Raleigh this afternoon at 2pm. In their release it asks the press to reach out to them if they want to speak with a volunteer or a “policy expert”.

They then say:

SB 50 is a dangerous bill that would allow the concealed carry of handguns for those as young as 18 without a permit, meaning no background check, safety training, or live-firing experience will be required. 

This is followed up by spurious statistics proclaiming that blood will run in the streets. That, of course, is something that has not happened in the other 29 states that have adopted some form of permitless concealed carry.

The speakers will be the usual suspects including two state senators who didn’t even bother to appear in opposition before the Senate Rules Committee yesterday. The lead speaker is Gerald Givens, Jr. who from his website appears to have made gun control into a career. While I may thank him for his military service, I would also remind him of the oath he took to protect the Constitution.

I will give the gun prohibitionists this. Their reaction time is great. They must have an army of PR flacks just waiting for moments like this.

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NC Legislators: Advance SB50 and HB5 Now!

February 24, 2025 by 2 Comments

With Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger (R-Guilford, Rockingham) as a co-sponsor of SB50, permitless concealed carry is on the move in North Carolina. This is a big switch from 2023 when Berger said enough pro-gun bills had been passed.

As the Grass Roots North Carolina alert below makes clear, you can help move these bills along. You may need to change the delimiter between email addresses to fit your own email program’s preferences. This is easy to do in MS Word using find and replace. Additionally, I’d suggest using BCC when mailing to the legislators urging the two bills passage in each chamber’s Rules Committee.

From GRNC:

MAKE CONSTITUTIONAL
CARRY NC LAW
Senate Bill 50 (“Freedom to Carry NC”) and House Bill 5 (“NC Constitutional Carry”) are in the process of becoming NC law. We are so thankful to Sen.Berger and Rep Kidwell for their sponsorship and support in this pursuit.

GRNC has been pivotal in this endeavour as we presented a 7,000-signature petition to Berger in a press conference at his office, and thousands of emails were sent to legislators by GRNC supporters.

Additional sponsors for HB 5 are Reps. Jay Adams (R-Catawba, ****), Ben Moss (R-Moore, Richmond, ****) and freshman Brian Echevarria (R-Cabarrus, ****). Additional sponsors for SB 50 are Sens. Danny Britt (R-Hoke, Robeson, Scotland, GRNC ****), Warren Daniel (R-Buncombe, Burke, McDowell ****), and Eddie Settle (R-Alexander, Surry, Wilkes, Yadkin, ****). Both bills are currently in their respective Rules, Calendar and Operations committees.  
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!

IMMEDIATELY CONTACT REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP: Contact both Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger and Speaker Destin Hall to thank them for their support and urge them to give prompt committee hearings to HB 5 and SB 50. Use the links provided in the previous sentence for their contact information. Call and/or email the two leaders to thank them and to encourage them to advance these bills.  

IMMEDIATELY CONTACT ALL RULES COMMITTEE REPUBLICANS: Both Rules Committees (for House and Senate) need to hear loud and clear that you want a prompt committee hearing for HB 5 and SB 50. See contact information below. 

Please send two messages. Below, find two copy-paste email lists, one for the House and one for the Senate. Below that, find the copy-paste email message. 

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/  NC HOUSE Rules Committee (copy-paste email list):

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


NC SENATE Rules Committee (copy-paste email list): 

Amy.Galey@ncleg.gov; Benton.Sawrey@ncleg.gov; Bill.Rabon@ncleg.gov; Brent.Jackson@ncleg.gov; Danny.Britt@ncleg.gov; Lisa.Barnes@ncleg.gov; Michael.Lazzara@ncleg.gov; Michael.Lee@ncleg.gov; Norman.Sanderson@ncleg.gov; Paul.Newton@ncleg.gov; Ralph.Hise@ncleg.gov; Todd.Johnson@ncleg.gov; Tom.McInnis@ncleg.gov; Vickie.Sawyer@ncleg.gov; Warren.Daniel@ncleg.gov 

DELIVER THIS MESSAGE

Suggested Subject: “Advance Constitutional Carry Bills HB 5 & SB 50”   Dear Rules Committee Members: 

As a Grass Roots North Carolina member, I thank you for your support and strongly urge you to give a prompt committee hearing to permitless or “constitutional” carry bills HB 5 and SB 50.

Fully 29 states have already adopted constitutional carry, with none of its naysayers’ dire predictions coming true. In fact, the Crime Prevention Research Center finds a small but significant reduction in violent crime among states which adopt permitless carry.

North Carolina Republicans are now lagging their counterparts in other states. Accordingly, I strongly urge you to bring constitutional carry to a prompt committee hearing and floor vote.

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

Respectfully, 
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For North Carolinians From GRNC-PVF

October 11, 2024 by

Grass Roots North Carolina-Political Victory Fund reminds all North Carolinians that today is the last day to regularly register to vote in the November General Election. Registration closes at 5pm this afternoon. However, if you miss this deadline, you can still register to vote if you take advantage of early voting up through November 2nd.

Other deadlines:

Oct. 11 (5 PM): Deadline for voter registration or to update registration (e.g. for an address change). Click here for details. To check your voter registration, click here. Note: If you are registered as “unaffiliated,” you may vote in either the Democrat or Republican primary election. [Important note: If you miss this deadline, you can still vote using one stop early voting.]  

Oct. 17: General Election one stop early voting begins. Click here for details. Click here to find your One Stop Early Voting place.

Oct. 29 (5 PM): Last day to submit an absentee ballot request form. Click here for information on voting by mail.

Nov. 2 (3 PM): In-person one stop early voting ends. This is last day you can both register and vote at same time.

Nov. 5 (6:30 AM – 7:30 PM): Election Day: Click here to find your polling place on Election Day. 

Nov. 5 (5 PM): Absentee ballot return deadline.

Reportedly, over 10 million hunters are not registered to vote. Presumably most are gun owners. Even if they aren’t, policies of the Biden-Harris administration have not been friendly to either gun owners or hunters. Whether it is closing land to hunting or banning lead ammunition on certain wildlife refuges, they have not had the interests of hunters at heart. If you are one of these unregistered voters, it is time to get off your ass and register to vote. And then vote like your guns and your hunting rights depend on them because they do.

The GRNC-PVF has also released their recommendations for the 2024 General Election. You can download the whole list here.

I would note that in both my State Senate and State House districts the Republican challengers to the zero-star Democrat incumbents didn’t bother to return GRNC’s survey. How damn stupid can you be not to take advantage of something that differentiates you from your opponent and might give you a point or two more votes. The GOP is not known as the Stupid Party without reason.

Likewise, in two Council of State races, the Republican didn’t bother to return the GRNC survey. In the case of Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey (R-NC), he faces vehemently anti-gun State Sen. Natasha Marcus (D-Mecklenburg). I have written about Marcus in the past. She proudly proclaims her membership in Moms Demand Action and has tried to distort the racist history of the origins of the pistol purchase permit. You can imagine what she might do to gun owners if given the power of the Insurance Commissioner’s office.

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Remember In November

September 17, 2024 by 3 Comments

Grass Roots North Carolina has a biennial project whereby they evaluate candidates at the national and state levels on where they stand on gun rights. Candidates are rated from zero to four stars with four stars being the best. The evaluation process uses any votes the candidate may have taken plus their responses to a survey sent to every candidate at their registered office. It is called Remember in November.

This guide estimates where candidates stand on gun issues by comparing their views with those of a control group of gun owners. As noted below, a “4-STAR” candidate agrees with the control group on at least 90% of gun issues, a 3-STAR agrees on least 80%, a 2-STAR on at least 70%, a 1-STAR on at least 60%, and a 0-STAR candidate agrees on less than 60% of gun issues….

GRNC’s “Remember in November” project estimates candidates’ views on “assault weapons,” concealed handguns, gun storage laws, gun rationing, other gun control and the Second Amendment.  THE EVALUATIONS HEREIN ARE NOT ENDORSEMENTS.  We issued surveys first to a control group of gun owners and then to candidates. Next, we measured how closely each candidate’s views and voting record (if available) agree with the control group.  Pay more attention to voting records than survey results unless, of course, you believe politicians never lie.

The 2024 General Election candidate evaluations have been released. If you want to view by office and name, use this link. If you would prefer to have the higher ranked candidates for each office, use this link. I find the latter more useful myself.

It should be pointed out that if a candidate just blows off the survey, they will get a zero star rating as well they should. Most of the candidates blowing off the survey tend to be the Democrats. That said, you do get Republicans who should be pro-rights just ignoring it as well. See for example both Dave Boliek (R) for State Auditor and Mike Causey (R) for Insurance Commissioner. They are both zero stars as they didn’t return the survey. Likewise for Sherry Higgins who is running as the Republican in my state house district. In my opinion, this is foolish. In a close race every vote is needed and ignoring gun rights voters could be the difference between winning and losing. These are the type of Republicans that whoever coined the term for the GOP as the Stupid Party had in mind.

While the higher rated candidates tend to be either Republicans or Libertarians, I did find a race where both the Republican and Democrat were both 4-star rated. That was in State Senate District 9 located in southeastern North Carolina. Incumbent Republican Brent Jackson faces Democrat Jamie Campbell Bowles. Both are from Sampson County. I’m wondering if Ms. Bowles didn’t get the Democrat’s memo that guns are icky or just ignored it. I’m so old I remember when there was actually such a thing as a pro-gun Democrat.

One last thing. If you aren’t registered to vote, now is the time to do it! As someone who registered to vote on my 18th birthday, it always amazes me when I come across gun owners who are not registered to vote. I just can’t see leaving my rights at risk by not voting.

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Self-Defense Law Webinar In North Carolina

May 5, 2024 by

I think the following webinar being offered by the UNC School of Government will be of interest to anyone who is armed for self-protection in North Carolina.

From the description:

The law of self-defense in North Carolina received a jolt from State v. McLymore, 380 N.C. 185 (2022), where the North Carolina Supreme Court held that the only way to claim perfect self-defense is by invoking the statutory right created by G.S. 14-51.3.  The Court went on to say, however, that to the extent the statute does not address an aspect of the law of self-defense, the common law remains intact.  This webinar examines the basic principles of self-defense in North Carolina under four headings: (1) aggressor status, (2) degree of force, (3) proportional response, and (4) reclaiming the privilege.  It aims to place McLymore in the broader context of the common law, so that practitioners will know what aspects of the law are “supplanted” by the statutory right of self-defense, what aspects are still governed by the common law, and what aspects remain unsettled to be determined by future caselaw.

The webinar is being offered on Wednesday, May 15th at 10:30am. The cost is FREE! Attendance is limited to 300 persons and registration closes on Friday, May 10th at 5pm.

The link to register is here. I found the registration was straightforward and easy. It does make reference to billing which is not an issue here as the cost is zero.

Even if you don’t or can’t attend the webinar, I think you will find the following flow chart that accompanies the webinar helpful.

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North Carolina Runoff Primary

April 29, 2024 by

Early voting in the North Carolina GOP runoff primary started this past Thursday. If what the Complementary Spouse and I experienced is any indication, turnout will be sparse. We went to vote on Friday and were the 16th and 17th voters in a county with almost 45,000 registered Republicans! This doesn’t even count the number of unaffiliated voters who are also eligible to vote in the GOP primary.

Other counties may have a higher turnout as they may have a Congressional candidate for whom to vote. In Buncombe County, it was only the race for Lt. Governor and the race for State Auditor.

As a reminder, the Grass Roots North Carolina – Political Victory Fund has these recommendations:

  • US 6th Congressional District – Addison McDowell – his opponent Mark Walker has dropped out but there still may have a runoff.
  • US 13th Congressional District – Brad Knott
  • Lt. Governor – Hal Weatherman
  • State Auditor – none as neither candidate in the runoff submitted GRNC-PVF candidates surveys.

While there is no recommendation by GRNC-PVF for State Auditor, I would note that Jack Clark is a CPA and former auditor while his opponent Dave Boliek, an attorney, only recently became a Republican. You can make of that what you will.

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FNH Contends Ruger’s SFAR Violates SCAR Trademark

March 13, 2024 by 5 Comments

FN Herstal SA and FN America LLC filed a trademark lawsuit against Sturm, Ruger and Company yesterday in US District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. They are contending that Ruger’s SFAR™ (Small Frame Automatic Rifle) violates their trademark for the FN SCAR® family of rifles and associated products. SCAR® stands for Special Operations Forces Combat/Capable Assault Rifle.

FN asserts that consumers will confuse the Ruger SFAR with their SCAR as they “are very similar or nearly identical in size, purpose, weight, feel, color, caliber, capacity, features, and even style to the firearms marketed and sold by FN for nearly fifteen (15) years under the SCAR Mark.” Moreover, they allege that since Ruger didn’t put “Ruger” in front of “SFAR” in their advertising nor put hypens between the letters it will pronounced as one word similar to that of the FN SCAR®.

As part of their complaint, they post pictures of Ruger’s SFAR™ and FN’s SCAR® as to how they are very similar in look and feel. On this, I have to disagree with the lawyers from FN. The Ruger product look very much the same as any other AR-10/AR-15 while the FN product have a much different and distinctive look about it. While FN argues that consumers will a) confuse the two products and b) think that the “SFAR” is endorsed or sponsored by FN.

FN’s complaint alleges four causes of action against Ruger. They include infringement of Federally-registered trademarks, unfair competition under the Lanham Act, violation of North Carolina’s Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and trademark infringement under NC common law. FN seeks a permanent injunction against the use of “SFAR”, the destruction of all materials including firearms within Ruger’s possession marked with SFAR™, disgorgement of any profits from the sale of the rifle by Ruger, and finally, triple damages.

Ruger has no official response on their website as of today to this lawsuit. As the suit was filed yesterday, it is also too soon for a response in court.

So that you may view the exhibits contained in the complaint, I have embedded it below:

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GRNC-PVF Issues Recommendations For NC Primary

February 8, 2024 by

In advance of the March 5th North Carolina Primary, Grass Roots North Carolina – Political Victory Fund has released their recommendations. These recommendations are not made in all races but rather in those races where pro-gun candidates stand out. If the race is uncontested in the primaries, no recommendation is issued. A recommendation is more limited than a blanket endorsement.

It should be noted that One-Stop Early Voting in the primary begins on February 15th. You can go here to find the early voting locations for your county.

Here are GRNC-PVF’s recommendations for both Federal and NC state races:

FEDERAL RACES

US HOUSE

Unfortunately, leftists are still filing litigation against congressional districts, trying once again to deprive you of the political districts you sent representatives to the General Assembly to draw. Barring successful litigation, however, the districts and races where you can make a difference are listed below.

District 1 (R): In this swing district, the Republican primary features 2 candidates, both of whom returned GRNC’s candidate survey: Laurie Buckhout (96%, GRNC ****), Sandy Smith (99%, ****), with the winner running against incumbent Democrat Don Davis (GRNC 0-star). Both Republicans list support for the 2nd Amendment on their websites, so GRNC-PVF has no recommendation in this race.

District 2 (R): In this solidly Democrat district, the winner of the Republican primary will unfortunately face incumbent Deborah Ross (GRNC 0-star) in the General. Of three Republican candidates, only Eugene F. Douglass (96%, ****) returned the GRNC survey. GRNC-PVF recommends EUGENE F DOUGLASS.

District 3 (R): In this solidly Republican district, incumbent Greg Murphy (survey: 94%, voting: 92%, ****) has no primary opponent.

District 4 (R): In what is the most Democrat district in NC, with a Republican primary winner who will face Valerie Foushee (GRNC 0-star) in the General, GRNC-PVF recommends MAHESH (MAX) GANORKAR (survey: 100%, ***) over Eric Blankenburg (survey: NR, 0-star).

District 5 (R): In this solidly Republican district, GRNC-PVF recommends incumbent VIRGINIA FOXX (survey: 100%, voting: 92%, ****) over challenger Ryan Mayberry (survey: 100%, ****), but notes that Foxx has dropped gun votes in recent sessions of Congress and should be watched carefully.

District 6 (R): In this open seat in a now-Republican district with no Democrats running, whomever wins the Republican Primary will go to Washington. And as a demonstration of the increasing importance of GRNC evaluations in NC political races, all six Republican challengers submitted GRNC’s candidate survey, and all with scores of 100%, suggesting that any of them would be 2nd Amendment voters. However, the standout, who also hunts and vows to protect the 2nd Amendment on his website, as well as touting an endorsement by Donald Trump, is Addison McDowell (survey: 100%, ****). Accordingly, GRNC-PVF recommends ADDISON MCDOWELL.

District 7 (R): In this Republican-leaning district, incumbent David Rouzer (votes: 92%, ****) does not face a primary opponent.

District 8 (R): In this open seat in a Republican district, four of six candidates submitted GRNC’s candidate survey, all with scores of 98% or better. However, only one has a 100% voting record while serving in the NC House. GRNC-PVF recommends JOHN BRADFORD (survey: 100%, votes: 100%, ****).

District 9 (R): In this Republican-leaning district, incumbent Richard Hudson has improved his voting record (survey: 100%, votes: 92%, ****), and is faced with challenger Troy Tarazon (survey: 100%). Given that votes are a better indicator than survey scores, plus Hudson’s history of sponsoring pro-gun legislation, GRNC-PVF recommends RICHARD HUDSON.

District 10 (R): In this Republican-leaning district, the race for the open seat left by departing Patrick McHenry features six Republican contenders, all of whom submitted GRNC’s candidate survey with scores of 99% or higher. The party favorite, endorsed by former NC House Speaker Tim Moore, is Grey Mills (survey: 100%, votes: 100%, ****), who is leaving a NC House seat to run for Congress. But party favorites are often not the strongest 2A candidates. In this race, the standout is Pat Harrigan (survey: 100%, ****) who, by virtue of running a company that manufactures AR-15s and other firearms, is most likely to be a 2nd Amendment leader. GRNC-PVF recommends PAT HARRIGAN.

District 11 (R): In this Republican-leaning district, incumbent Chuck Edwards (survey: 100%, votes: 100%, ****) is being challenged by Christian Reagan (survey: 100%, ****). Although Edwards has angered some conservatives with votes on non-2nd Amendment issues, he has a 100% pro-gun voting record and a history of sponsoring pro-gun legislation. GRNC-PVF recommends CHUCK EDWARDS.

District 12: In this heavily Democrat district, only Addul Ali (survey: 96%, ****) registered as a Republican contender to longtime leftist Alma Adams.

District 13 (R): The race for this newly-drawn and heavily Republican district (formerly held by Democrat Wiley Nickel, 0-star) is truly a free-for-all, with 14 (yes, 14) Republicans running for the nomination and only one Democrat. Of the 14, 7 submitted GRNC’s candidate survey, with 6 earning a 4-star evaluation. GOP strategists reportedly claim the 4 serious contenders are DeVan Barber, (survey: 98%, ****), Kelly Daughtry (survey: NR, 0-star), Brad Knott (survey: 100%, ****), and Fred Von Canon (survey: 92%, ****). Of the three who submitted GRNC’s survey, only Knott touts defense of the 2nd Amendment as a campaign issue. Knott was also the only candidate to earn a perfect 100% on his survey. GRNC-PVF recommends BRAD KNOTT.

District 14: It is widely conjectured that, in redistricting, NC House Speaker Tim Moore (survey: 93%, votes: 100%, ***) drew this Republican-leaning district for himself. He is clearly the favored candidate in name-recognition, money, and party support, making him the overwhelmingly likely victor. But Moore, who started his career with a perfect 100% pro-gun voting record, has dropped to three stars (***) in recent years due to unwillingness to give certain pro-gun bills committee hearings. In 2023, he pulled permitless concealed carry bill HB 189 from its calendared floor vote at the last minute despite it having cleared two committee hearings. While Moore will probably make a good congressman and will certainly get GRNC-PVF support in the General Election, we cannot reward marginal performance in leadership. GRNC-PVF recommends opponent JEFF GREGORY (survey: 98%, ****).

STATE RACES

NC EXECUTIVE BRANCH

NC Governor (R): The Republican primary for governor has presented GRNC with a conundrum. Two candidates have distinguished themselves as Second Amendment supporters in the race, leaving our board of directors divided on which to recommend. On one hand, NC State Treasurer Dale Folwell compiled a 100% pro-gun voting record, GRNC survey scores averaging 96%, and a history of co-sponsoring pro-gun legislation while in the NC House, and has publicly called for constitutional carry, giving him GRNC’s highest 4-star evaluation (****).

On the other, Lt. Governor Mark Robinson first gained national attention with his impassioned plea for gun rights to the Greensboro City Council, coauthored an op-ed with GRNC President Paul Valone calling for repeal of our Jim Crow-era pistol purchase permit law, garnered a 100% GRNC survey, and has come out publicly for gun rights, saying: “I got them AR-15s in case the government gets too big for its britches.”

Both candidates have expressed support for constitutional carry and have promised to advocate it to the General Assembly. However, only Folwell has said so in public. The third candidate, a millionaire conducting a largely self-funded campaign, is Bill Graham (Survey: NR, GRNC 0-star), supported by the “RINO” contingent of the Republican Party, including an endorsement by Sen. Thom Tillis (GRNC 0-star), who helped craft the so-called “Bipartisan Safer Communities Act” which Joe Biden is attempting to use as a back door to universal gun registration. Given the strong Second Amendment stances of both Folwell and Robinson, in the Republican gubernatorial primary, the GRNC Political Victory Fund recommends you vote AGAINST Bill Graham.

NC Governor (L): Rarely does one see a Libertarian primary, but two Libertarians have filed for the gubernatorial primary. Because Mike Ross (survey: 100%, ****) and Shannon Bray (survey: 96%, ****) both received 4-star evaluations, GRNC-PVF has no recommendation in this race.

NC Lt. Governor (R): Another free-for-all featuring 11 Republican candidates seeking the nomination, 8 answering GRNC’s candidate survey, with 7 earning a 4-star evaluation. Two candidates have voting histories in the NCGA (Deanna Ballard, survey: 100%, votes: 100%, **** and Jeffrey Elmore, survey: 97%, votes: 100%, ****), but in their time in the legislature, neither sponsored pro-gun legislation, suggesting the 2nd Amendment is a back-burner issue for them. The candidate who stands out for 2nd Amendment voters is Hal Weatherman (survey: 100%, ****) who, despite having never serving in office, has been chief-of-staff or district office manager for three pro-gun office-holders: Congressman Sue Myrick (****), Lt. Gov. Fan Forest (****) and Congressman Madison Cawthorn (****). GRNC-PVF recommends HAL WEATHERMAN.

NC Attorney General: Although there is no Republican primary for the seat presently held by leftist Josh Stein (0-star, who is now running for governor), the Republican contender stands tall as a voice for conservatives and gun owners. Dan Bishop (survey: 88%, votes, 100%, ****) has a long history of supporting the 2nd Amendment, first in the NC House, then the NC Senate, and presently in Congress. Bishop has sponsored numerous pro-gun bills and often voted for the 2nd Amendment even when others Republicans in NC’s congressional delegation did not. GRNC-PVF strongly recommends DAN BISHOP.

NC Commissioner Agriculture (R): GRNC-PVF recommends COLBY HAMMOND (survey: 96%, GRNC ****) because incumbent Steve Troxler (survey: 95%, 0-star) insisted on posting the NC State Fair against concealed carry even when statutory requirements to do so were repealed by GRNC.

NC State Auditor (R): This race is more important to gun rights than it might seem because the state auditor has the power to audit the offices of sheriffs who delay concealed handgun permits. As the only candidate in the race with a 100% pro-gun voting record and history of sponsoring pro-gun legislation GRNC-PVF recommends JEFF TARTE (vote record: 100%, survey: 95%, ****).

NC Secretary of Labor (R): GRNC-PVF recommends JON HARDISTER (survey: 98%, VOTES: 100%, ****) who currently serves in the NC House, where he has a perfect voting record and a history of sponsoring pro-gun legislation.

NC Superintendent of Public Instruction (R): GRNC-PVF recommends MICHELE MORROW (survey: 97%, ****).

NC State Treasurer: GRNC-PVF recommends A.J. DOUD (survey: 90%, ****).

NC Secretary of State (R): GRNC-PVF recommends either CHAD BROWN (survey: 100%, ****) or CHRISTINE E. VILLAVERDE (survey: 100%, ****) over Jesse Thomas (survey: NR, 0-star).

NC JUDICIAL RACES

NC Supreme Court (R): This open seat being vacated by Michael Morgan (who is running for governor) is a potential Republican pickup which could make the NC Supreme Court 6-1 under Republican control, consolidating conservative principles from the Court for decades to come. Having long had support from GRNC-PVF in previous races, Republican Jefferson Griffin does not have a primary, but is highly worthy of support by 2nd Amendment voters. GRNC-PVF strongly recommends JEFFERSON GRIFFIN.

NC Court of Appeals Seat 12: There are no primaries for this race, securing the Republican nomination for former NC House representative Tom Murry (survey: 84%, votes: 100%, ****), who will likely get a GRNC-PVF recommendation in November.

NC SENATE

District 03 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends MICHAEL SPECIALE (voting record: 100%, survey: 100%). In addition to a 100% recent voting record in the NC House, Speciale has a history of sponsoring pro-gun legislation and standing up to leadership for gun rights. He will be a leader for your rights in the NC Senate.

District 13 (R): Both Republican candidates, Vicki Harry and Scott Lassiter, submitted GRNC surveys with scores of 100%, earning 4-star evaluations. Because neither have voting records, GRNC-PVF has no recommendation in this race.

District 42 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends JAIME DANIEL (survey: 100%, ****) over Stacie McGinn (GRNC survey: 94%, ****).

District 45 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends MARK HOLLOW (survey: 99%, voting record: 100%, ****). Opponent Nancy Meek (survey 100%, ****) is reportedly pro-gun, but Hollo has both a perfect voting record while in the NC House, and a history of sponsoring pro-gun legislation.

NC HOUSE

District 9 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends TIMOTHY REEDER (votes: 100%, ****) over Tony Moore (GRNC survey: 94%, ****) due to priority of voting record over survey scores.

District 9 (D): In a rare case of a 4-star Democrat, GRNC-PVF recommends LENTON CREDELLE BROWN (survey: 100%, ****) over Claire Kempner (survey: NR, 0-star).

District 14 (R): Incumbent George Cleveland is one of the few long-term stalwart Second Amendment defenders of the NC House, with 100% voting record, repeated 100% survey score, and long history of sponsoring pro-gun legislation, more than earning a GRNC 4-star evaluation (****). GRNC-PVF strongly recommends GEORGE CLEVELAND over challenger Wyatt Gamble (GRNC survey: NR, 0-star).

District 25 (R): In a reversal of 2022, GRNC-PVF recommends YVONNE MCLEOD (survey: 88%, ***) over incumbent Allen Chesser (survey: 100%, votes: 100%, bill support: 50%, ***), after Chesser surprised both GRNC and other legislators with an attempted gun control amendment to the pistol purchase permit repeal.

District 35 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends MIKE SCHIETZELT (survey: 99%, ****) over James Norman (survey: 100%, ****). Although Schietzelt’s survey was an insignificant one point lower, his website features defense of the 2nd Amendment as a campaign platform, while Norman says nothing about defending your rights.

District 48 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends MELISSA SWARBRICK (survey: 96%, ****) over James Diaz (survey: 90%, ****).

District 55 (R): Because voting record is a better measure of candidates than survey scores, GRNC-PVF recommends MARK BRODY (survey: 96%, votes: 100%, ****) over Richard T. Miller (GRNC survey: 91%, ****) and Arthur L. McDonald (survey: 80%, ***).

District 59 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends ALLEN CHAPELL (survey: 91%, ****) over Alan Branson (survey: 80%, ***).

District 62 (R): In his last service in the NC House, John Blust started off pro-gun. But over time, his voting record sagged to only 81%. Accordingly, GRNC-PVF recommends ANN SCHNEIDER (SURVEY: 99%, ****) over John Blust (survey: 100%, votes: 81%). Jaxon Barber, Michelle C. Bardsley, and Britt W. Moore all refused to return GRNC’s candidate survey, earning only GRNC’s lowest 0-star evaluation.

District 65 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends A. REECE PYRTLE, JR. (GRNC survey: 97%, votes: 100%, ****) over Joseph A. Gibson III (GRNC survey: 96, ****).

District 67 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends CODY HUNEYCUTT (survey: 95%, ****) over Brandon King (survey: NR, 0-star).

District 67 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends DEAN ARP (survey: 100%, votes: 100%, ****) over Clint Cannaday (survey: 88%, ***).

District 73 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends JONATHAN ALMOND (survey: 98%, ****) over Holly Edwards (survey: NR, 0-star).

NC House District 82 (R): Due to a 100% voting record and a history of sponsoring pro-gun legislation, GRNC-PVF recommends KEVIN CRUTCHFIELD (survey: 85%, voting record: 100%, ****) over Brian Echevarria (survey: 100%, ****)

District 83 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends BRAD JENKINS (GRNC survey: 100%, ****) over Grant Campbell (survey: NR, 0-star).

District 84 (R): Due to a 100% voting record and a history of sponsoring pro-gun legislation, GRNC-PVF recommends JEFF MCNEELY (survey: 93%, voting record: 100%, ****) over Doug Gallina (survey: NR, 0-star).

District 94 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends either BLAIR EDDINS (survey: 96%, ****) or DWIGHT SHOOK (survey: 96%, ****) over Stoney Green (survey: NR, 0-star) and Larry Yoder (survey: NR, 0-star).

District 110 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends KELLY HASTINGS (survey: 100%, voting record: 100%, ****) over Esther Scott (survey: NR, 0-star).

District 111 (R): GRNC-PVF recommends either DAVID ALLEN (survey: 100%, ****) or PAUL BRINTLEY (survey: 100%, ****) over Scott Neisler (survey: NR, 0-star) and Paul Scott (survey: NR, 0-star).

NC LOCAL ELECTIONS

Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners: Although GRNC-PVF does not ordinarily make recommendations in local races, in this case we have a stalwart candidate who until recently served in the NC House. With a long history of pro-gun sponsorship and votes supporting gun right even in opposition to his party leadership, GRNC-PVF strongly recommends LARRY PITTMAN (survey: 100%, votes: 100%),

This message supporting the above-named candidates was authorized and paid for solely by the Grass Roots North Carolina Political Victory Fund. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

Uncategorized

GRNC Releases 2024 Remember In November Ratings

February 8, 2024 by 2 Comments

Grass Roots North Carolina, the state’s independent gun rights group, has released their latest version of Remember in November. It is a rating of all candidates for Council of State, US Congress, State House, and State Senate in North Carolina on where they stand on gun rights.

From GRNC on their star ratings:

“Remember in November” candidate evaluations estimate where candidates stand on gun issues by comparing their views with those of a control group of gun owners. As noted below, a “4-STAR” candidate agrees with control group on at least 90% of gun issues, a 3-STAR agrees on least 80%, a 2-STAR on at least 70%, a 1-STAR on at least 60%, and a 0-STAR candidate agrees on less than 60% of gun issues.

Every candidate was sent a survey to their address of record with the NC State Board of Elections. Their responses were compared to a control group of gun owners on issues ranging from concealed handguns to safe storage to the Second Amendment. If a candidate did not return a survey, their response was rated a zero. When it comes to ratings, the voting record, if any, should be considered more important than survey results. In other words, action speak louder than words.

Candidate evaluations sorted by name are here.

Meanwhile, candidate evaluations by office and district sought are here.

If you look at the candidate evaluations, you will note that Republicans who blew off the survey receive the same score as Democrat anti-gun politicians. For example, in the race for Governor of NC, Republican attorney Bill Graham who has blanketed the airwaves with ads blew off the survey and has no voting record received a zero star rating. Likewise, Attorney General Josh Stein (D-NC) blew off the survey but had a negative voting record from his time in the General Assembly received the same zero star rating.

Meanwhile, in my own State Senate district, both the Republican and Democrat blew off the survey which is a shame. I already know that St. Sen. Julie Mayfield (D-Buncombe) is anti-gun but it would be nice to know that Republican Kristie Sluder believes in the Second Amendment. Her Facebook page says she stands with Trump but what does that mean in terms of gun rights?

My State House district is the same with neither the Democrat or Republican responding to the survey. If you are a Republican running in a district with a Democrat incumbent, you just might pick up a few extra votes if you stake out your position as pro-gun rights. The GOP is not called the Stupid Party without reason.