North Carolina General Assembly

Uncategorized

The Push For Concurrence On HB 937 Continues

June 28, 2013 by 2 Comments

It appears that NC Speaker of the House Thom Tillis might be going wobbly on HB 937 and is also spreading misinformation on the position of Grass Roots North Carolina. With Tillis now an announced candidate for the US Senate to run for the seat held by Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC), it is time to ramp up the pressure on both Tillis and the rest of the Republicans in the North Carolina House.

From the latest GRNC alert:

It has come to our attention that the office of NC House Speaker Thom Tillis has told callers that GRNC “supports” removal of the pistol purchase permit repeal from House Bill 937 and the replacement of the measure with a study commission. That is a misstatement of GRNC’s position.

With less than two weeks remaining in the legislative session, it became clear that Speaker Tillis, faced with Governor McCrory’s acquiescence to demands by the NC Sheriffs’ Assoc. to remove the purchase permit repeal, might simply kill the entire bill by bringing it to the floor and re-referring it committee, where it would languish, rather than choosing between gun owners and sheriffs.

HB 937 cannot be ‘amended’

Meanwhile, input we have received suggests that gun owners are of two minds: One faction notes that the purchase permit repeal was not in the original bill, and that the substantial gains of restaurant carry, campus carry, assemblies for which admission is charged and more should not be risked for one provision we might be able to get later. Others want us to stand strong for the repeal because other aspects of the bill primarily benefit concealed handgun permit-holders more than other gun owners.

To those who have suggested we simply “amend” HB 937 to remove the purchase permit language, however, we are compelled to note that bills are not amendable on concurrence votes. The only option is for the House not to concur, in which case the bill goes to a conference committee comprising members of both chambers. Please note: Once the bill is in conference, we have no direct control over what comes out. The single and only alternative if we don’t like what results would be to kill the bill in its entirety. It is for that reason GRNC has opposed sending the bill to conference.

GRNC strongly urges legislators to concur

In the position just sent to the NC House, GRNC continues to admonish legislators to vote for concurrence. Acknowledging that it is critical to keep the bill moving as the end of the session approaches, however, we also advised them that we will not track the vote on concurrence PROVIDED that the bill is not otherwise weakened in the conference committee. Although we cannot speak for other organizations, representatives of both the NRA and NCRPA have expressed support for the position.

Presuming the bill goes to a conference committee, here is what we will push for:

1. Keeping restaurant and campus carry and all other aspects in the bill;
2. Repeal or curtailment of the present purchase permit system; and
3. Inclusion of key legislators whom we can trust on the committee.

What GRNC will not accept

If, however, a weaker bill leaves the conference committee, any legislator who voted to send it to conference will be assessed as having voted against the interests of gun owners, which will be reflected in “Remember in November” candidate evaluations. This is intended to give the less resolute members of the Republican caucus “ownership” in what the committee produces.

In particular, there is one “deal killer” which may cause GRNC to oppose the bill: Shortening the duration for which purchase permits are valid, which is currently five years. Doing so would punish lawful gun owners for the malfeasance of the Sheriff’s Association, which has known about and refused to address the system’s flaws for decades.

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!

  • CALL & EMAIL YOUR HOUSE REP: Have them tell NC House Speaker Thom Tillis that he should listen to millions of NC gun owners instead of 100 sheriffs by SUPPORTING A VOTE TO CONCUR on HB 937. The fact is that sheriffs and their entrenched, highly paid lobbyist have refused to address this problem for decades. Find your House rep by CLICKING HERE or going to: http://ncga.state.nc.us/representation/WhoRepresentsMe.aspx


  • EMAIL ALL NC HOUSE REPUBLICANS: Tell them they don’t have a “get-out-of-jail-free” card to vote against gun owners. If they vote against concurrence and HB 937 is weakened in conference committee, THEY WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. If they want the best and safest course of action, THEY SHOULD VOTE TO CONCUR. To email House Republicans, use the copy-and-paste email list below and either the suggested message or one of your own.

CONTACT INFO

Dean.Arp@ncleg.net, Marilyn.Avila@ncleg.net, John.Bell@ncleg.net, Hugh.Blackwell@ncleg.net, John.Blust@ncleg.net, Jamie.Boles@ncleg.net, Robert.Brawley@ncleg.net, Bill.Brawley@ncleg.net, Mark.Brody@ncleg.net, Brian.Brown@ncleg.net, Rayne.Brown@ncleg.net, Rob.Bryan@ncleg.net, Dana.Bumgardner@ncleg.net, Justin.Burr@ncleg.net, Rick.Catlin@ncleg.net, Jeff.Collins@ncleg.net, Debra.Conrad@ncleg.net, Leo.Daughtry@ncleg.net, Ted.Davis@ncleg.net, Jimmy.Dixon@ncleg.net, Josh.Dobson@ncleg.net, Jerry.Dockham@ncleg.net, Nelson.Dollar@ncleg.net, Jeffrey.Elmore@ncleg.net, John.Faircloth@ncleg.net, Carl.Ford@ncleg.net, Jim.Fulghum@ncleg.net, Mike.Hager@ncleg.net, Jon.Hardister@ncleg.net, Kelly.Hastings@ncleg.net, Mark.Hollo@ncleg.net, Bryan.Holloway@ncleg.net, Craig.Horn@ncleg.net, Julia.Howard@ncleg.net, Pat.Hurley@ncleg.net, Frank.Iler@ncleg.net, Charles.Jeter@ncleg.net, Linda.Johnson2@ncleg.net, Bert.Jones@ncleg.net, Jonathan.Jordan@ncleg.net, Donny.Lambeth@ncleg.net, James.Langdon@ncleg.net, David.Lewis@ncleg.net, Chris.Malone@ncleg.net, Susan.Martin@ncleg.net, Pat.McElraft@ncleg.net, Chuck.McGrady@ncleg.net, Allen.McNeill@ncleg.net, Chris.Millis@ncleg.net, Tim.Moffitt@ncleg.net, Tim.Moore@ncleg.net, Tom.Murry@ncleg.net, Michele.Presnell@ncleg.net, Nathan.Ramsey@ncleg.net, Dennis.Riddell@ncleg.net, Stephen.Ross@ncleg.net, Jason.Saine@ncleg.net, Ruth.Samuelson@ncleg.net, Jacqueline.Schaffer@ncleg.net, Mitchell.Setzer@ncleg.net, Phil.Shepard@ncleg.net, Michael.Speciale@ncleg.net, Paul.Stam@ncleg.net, Edgar.Starnes@ncleg.net, Bob.Steinburg@ncleg.net, Sarah.Stevens@ncleg.net, Michael.Stone@ncleg.net, John.Szoka@ncleg.net, Thom.Tillis@ncleg.net, John.Torbett@ncleg.net, Rena.Turner@ncleg.net, Harry.Warren@ncleg.net, Andy.Wells@ncleg.net, Roger.West@ncleg.net, Chris.Whitmire@ncleg.net

DELIVER THIS MESSAGE

Suggested Subject: “Vote for concurrence on HB 937!”

Honorable Members of the North Carolina House:

Although a campaign by the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association to preserve sheriffs’ power and money seems destined to send House Bill 937 (“Amend Various Firearms Laws”) to a conference committee, I strongly urge you to vote against any motion not to concur (i.e. to concur with Senate changes) as the best and safest method of guarding against wholesale weakening of the bill.

I will be closely monitoring this matter via Grass Roots North Carolina Alerts.

Respectfully,

Uncategorized

It Is Time To Demand Concurrence On HB 937

June 25, 2013 by

The North Carolina Senate took the House-passed HB 937 and made a good gun reform bill into a near great one. The North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association in now balking on passage of the bill due to the elimination of the archaic and racist pistol purchase permit system run out of each county’s sheriffs’ department. As the alert below from Grass Roots North Carolina makes clear, what they really object to is a loss of power and a loss of revenue.

News stories about the recent shooting in Greenville, North Carolina are now trumpeting that the Pitt County Sheriffs’ Department had turned down the shooter for a “gun permit” last year. The only problem is that North Carolina doesn’t have a “gun permit.” If what they are saying is that he was turned down for a pistol purchase permit by the sheriff, it certainly didn’t stop the shooter from obtaining the shotgun which he used to wound four people. Nowhere in any of the stories about this shooting is mention made of just how the shooter did obtain the shotgun. He may have owned it for years, he may have stolen it, or he may have legally purchased it after a NICS check. We don’t know but I would wager the reason we are hearing that the shooter was turned down for a “gun permit” is part of the effort to stymie HB 937.

From the GRNC Alert:


DEMAND CONCURRENCE ON HB 937

In recent days, the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association (NCSA) has flip flopped on its support for HB 937, a common sense bill that would modernize North Carolina’s gun laws, and allow law-abiding citizens to better defend themselves and their families from predators who do not pay attention to gun laws. The reason for the NCSA’s reversal on this bill clearly revolves around the money the sheriffs collect, and the power they maintain, through our State’s outdated pistol permit system.

Aside from the fees the sheriffs are currently charging in the current system, each county’s sheriff has unlimited power to decide who may or may not purchase a handgun. That means your county’s sheriff can arbitrarily deny anyone their Second Amendment rights, absent any due process. For these reasons: money and power, the NCSA does not want this shameful, Jim Crow-era leftover to be eliminated. But HB 937 would do just that. It would eliminate it, and replace it with the fair and reliable National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). This is a dependable, computerized system that has been tried and tested, and in thirty-six states it is the sole background check system, eliminating old-fashioned pistol permits.

The NCSA has had a lot to say about what it would mean to eliminate the current system, a system in which they hold all the power. Let’s examine their statements, and contrast them with the facts:

The NCSA Says: NICS obtains criminal records from North Carolina only regarding persons who are fingerprinted, which includes felons and some limited categories of misdemeanants. Many misdemeanants, punishable for up to two years in prison, are not fingerprinted and, therefore, are not reported to NICS.
The Fact Is: People convicted of state-level misdemeanors punishable by less than two years are not prohibited from owning firearms under federal law, meaning sheriffs want discretion to deny permits to people who are not prohibited.

The NCSA Says: North Carolina state law only requires the Clerks of Superior Court to report to NICS a limited category of those persons involved in an involuntary mental health commitment.
The Fact Is: According to the FBI, the NICS database encompasses: A person adjudicated mental defective or involuntarily committed to a mental institution or incompetent to handle own affairs, including dispositions to criminal charges of found not guilty by reason of insanity or found incompetent to stand trial.

The NCSA Says: Persons from North Carolina who are prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm, but who are likely to not be discovered by a NICS check, are persons who: Are under indictment or information in any court for a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year; Have been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year; are fugitives from justice; are unlawful users of or addicted to any controlled substance; have been adjudicated as mentally defective or have been committed to any mental institution; Who are subject to a court order restraining them from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or child of the intimate partner; or Who have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
The Fact Is: The FBI says otherwise. Their description of the contents of NICS cover all of the situations that the NCSA mentions above.

The NCSA Says: The pistol purchase permitting process in North Carolina is currently far superior to the NICS check and provides increased public safety for our citizens.
The Fact Is: For rifles and shotguns, the NICS is already used in North Carolina, and without objection from the NCSA. If NCSA considers NICS to be an inadequate means of background check, why has it not objected to its use as the sole background check system for long guns?

The NCSA Says: Sheriffs’ “local knowledge” gives them familiarity with local residents that goes above and beyond what the NICS can provide.
The Fact Is: NCSA’s “local knowledge” argument is a stretch. Although sheriffs claim that familiarity with local residents gives them knowledge above and beyond that provided by NICS, the argument is rife with flaws. Just one example would be the fact that Mecklenburg County has processed 12,000 permits thus far for 2013. Is it the position of the NCSA that sheriffs in large counties routinely check tens of thousands of households? Unlikely.

The NCSA needs to get its facts straight, and the antiquated pistol permit system needs to be replaced with a proper, twenty-first century alternative. It’s also a fact that the NCSA’s misguided opposition to this one provision in HB 937, threatens to derail the entire bill. That’s a real problem.

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!

PHONE & E-MAIL SPEAKER THOM TILLIS
E-MAIL THE HOUSE MEMBERSHIP

Tell Speaker Tillis and the other elected members of the NC House that you’ve had enough of our outdated, Jim Crow pistol permit system.

CONTACT INFO
Call Speaker Thom Tillis, and ask that he bring HB 937 forward for a vote, and that he encourage his colleagues to vote for concurrence: 919-733-3451.

Use the following cut-and-paste email list to contact NC House Republicans:

Dean.Arp@ncleg.net; Marilyn.Avila@ncleg.net; John.Bell@ncleg.net; Hugh.Blackwell@ncleg.net; Jamie.Boles@ncleg.net; Robert.Brawley@ncleg.net; Brian.Brown@ncleg.net; Rayne.Brown@ncleg.net; Rob.Bryan@ncleg.net; Dana.Bumgardner@ncleg.net; Justin.Burr@ncleg.net; Rick.Catlin@ncleg.net; Jeff.Collins@ncleg.net; Debra.Conrad@ncleg.net; Leo.Daughtry@ncleg.net; Ted.Davis@ncleg.net; Jimmy.Dixon@ncleg.net; Josh.Dobson@ncleg.net; Jerry.Dockham@ncleg.net; Nelson.Dollar@ncleg.net; Jeffrey.Elmore@ncleg.net; John.Faircloth@ncleg.net; Jim.Fulghum@ncleg.net; Mike.Hager@ncleg.net; Jon.Hardister@ncleg.net; Kelly.Hastings@ncleg.net; Mark.Hollo@ncleg.net; Bryan.Holloway@ncleg.net; Craig.Horn@ncleg.net; Julia.Howard@ncleg.net; Pat.Hurley@ncleg.net; Frank.Iler@ncleg.net; Charles.Jeter@ncleg.net; Linda.Johnson2@ncleg.net; Bert.Jones@ncleg.net; Jonathan.Jordan@ncleg.net; Donny.Lambeth@ncleg.net; James.Langdon@ncleg.net; David.Lewis@ncleg.net; Chris.Malone@ncleg.net; Susan.Martin@ncleg.net; Pat.McElraft@ncleg.net; Chuck.McGrady@ncleg.net; Allen.McNeill@ncleg.net; Chris.Millis@ncleg.net; Tim.Moffitt@ncleg.net; Tim.Moore@ncleg.net; Tom.Murry@ncleg.net; Michele.Presnell@ncleg.net; Nathan.Ramsey@ncleg.net; Dennis.Riddell@ncleg.net; Stephen.Ross@ncleg.net; Jason.Saine@ncleg.net; Ruth.Samuelson@ncleg.net; Jacqueline.Schaffer@ncleg.net; Mitchell.Setzer@ncleg.net; Phil.Shepard@ncleg.net; Paul.Stam@ncleg.net; Edgar.Starnes@ncleg.net; Bob.Steinburg@ncleg.net; Sarah.Stevens@ncleg.net; Michael.Stone@ncleg.net; John.Szoka@ncleg.net; Thom.Tillis@ncleg.net; John.Torbett@ncleg.net; Rena.Turner@ncleg.net; Harry.Warren@ncleg.net; Andy.Wells@ncleg.net; Roger.West@ncleg.net; Chris.Whitmire@ncleg.net

DELIVER THIS MESSAGE

Suggested Subject: “Sheriffs’ Association Spreads Misinformation about Purchase Permits”

Honorable Members of the North Carolina House:

I have recently become aware that the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association (NCSA) has been distributing misinformation about our State’s archaic pistol permit system, an outdated system that HB 937 seeks to replace with modern, computerized background checks. The NCSA has gone so far as to refer to the current system as “superior” even though it still contains the “arming felons loophole.”

I am writing to inform you that I strongly support HB 937, as currently written, and I would consider a vote against concurrence to be an anti-gun vote. I encourage you in the strongest terms to vote for concurrence in order to strengthen and modernize our State’s gun laws.

Originally, the NCSA had supported the bill entirely, and even now they still claim to support it, but only oppose the provision that removes the purchase permit requirement. The NCSA seems desperate to hang on to last century’s permitting method, no doubt so they can continue to use it to collect fees that they are currently attempting to double, and to maintain unchecked power over who can obtain a pistol permit. I have done my research, and I strongly disagree with the NCSA’s new position.

I’ve learned that thirty-six states are already using the dependable, computerized National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) as the sole means of conducting background checks. I also know that the nature of our outdated pistol permit system opens the door for dangerous criminals to buy guns with pistol permits that were legally obtained before the criminals committed their crimes. These old-fashioned paper permits are not traceable nor are they revocable, and they remain valid for years. This “handguns for felons” loophole would be eliminated through use of the NICS.

The NICS is also a fair system in which everyone can expect to be treated equally under the law. Through the NICS, sane, law-abiding citizens cannot be denied their Second Amendment rights for arbitrary reasons. This is something that cannot be said of the current pistol permit system, which can be used to subjectively deny any citizen a pistol permit without due process. That is just wrong, and it’s time to do what’s right.

Again, I ask that you vote for concurrence on HB 937. A vote against concurrence would indeed be an anti-gun vote. Please do what’s right, and bring North Carolina’s gun laws into the twenty-first century. I will be monitoring your actions via Grass Roots North Carolina legislative alerts.

Respectfully,

Uncategorized

Are NC Republicans Caving To Sheriffs’ Association?

June 19, 2013 by 1 Comment

Gov. Pat McCrory (R-NC) seems to be caving to the demands of the NC Sheriffs’ Association with regard to pistol purchase permits. According to GRNC, McCrory has instructed the House Republican Caucus to send HB 937 to a conference committee rather than to concur with the Senate version of the bill.

However, it should be noted that the House Republicans led by Speaker Thom Tillis are under no obligation to follow any instructions from McCrory. Tillis has announced his intention to run for the US Senate and will need the votes from gun rights supporters if he hopes to win the primary. As GRNC notes below, he needs to be reminded of this.

From GRNC:

Sheriffs’ lobbyist more worried about his nearly $290,000 salary than the rights of NC gun owners…

It has become clear that the cabal committed to preserving NC’s embarrassing and obsolete Jim Crow-era pistol permit system is being led by NC Sheriffs’ Association Executive Director, Eddie Caldwell. Not an elected Sheriff subject to the will of voters, but rather a lobbyist hired by the NCSA, he is clearly more interested in protecting his cushy job and benefits than the rights of North Carolinians.

HB 937 in jeopardy: McCrory needs spine injection

Worse, Governor Pat McCrory seems to be getting week in the knees in the face of sheriffs’ demands, and has instructed the House Republican Caucus to vote not to concur and to send the bill to a House-Senate conference committee to remove the measure. What is at stake, however, is not just the purchase permit repeal, but the entire bill, including restaurant and campus carry. Why? Because if the bill goes to conference committee — which will give the media and UNC more time to agitate, anything could be removed.

Latest round of GRNC radio spots highlight NCSA & McCrory

Caldwell is apparently trying to protect his nearly $290,000 per year compensation package after being blindsided by the purchase permit repeal addition to HB 937 in the Senate.

The whole sordid story is detailed in the GRNC video and radio spots just released HERE, or go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=JcEXhtDjXrs&feature=youtu.be

Implications of conference committee

GRNC has had extensive discussions with Senate Republicans, and we are certain they were sincere in the changes to HB 937 they made. There was no deliberate effort to cut out Eddie Caldwell and NCSA from legislative plans.

Currently, there have been no indications that the Governor intends to veto the bill, but he did tell the Republican Caucus that he wants the bill sent to conference committee to change the permit provision to one which “studies” the issue. Representatives for House leadership have indicated willingness to move “a” bill, but have not committed to what will be in it.

GRNC opposes the conference committee for the following reasons: As you may or may not know, once both chambers have passed different versions of a bill, it goes back to the first chamber for concurrence. By legislative rules, a bill cannot be amended on concurrence, so removing the PPP provision could only be done by voting not to concur and then sending the bill to a conference committee comprised of members from each chamber.

There are several problems with that, not the least of which is that once it goes there, we have absolutely no control over what comes out. Added to that, the media will get additional time to beat on Republicans for weakening amendments.

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!

We need gun owners to do four things:

  • TELL McCRORY TO DEVELOP A SPINE: He should resist the feather-bedding of the NCSA, particularly given the fact that felons are bypassing background checks under the current system;

  • CONTACT ALL NC SHERIFFS: Tell them the rights of NC gun-owning voters are more important than Eddie Caldwell’s pay.

  • TELL SPEAKER TILLIS THE NEXT MOVE IS UP TO HIM: Tillis doesn’t have to kowtow to either the NCSA or the Governor. Given his announced bid for Sen. Kay Hagan’s seat, it would be shame for him to further alienate gun owners by failing to concur. Therefore, he should move quickly and resolutely to vote to concur.

  • HELP GRNC PASS HB 937: GRNC has spent tens of thousands of dollars on radio spots, alerts and legislative team expenses to pass what could be the most pro-gun initiative in North Carolina history, but we can’t do it without your support, so please go HERE or to: http://www.grnc.org/join-grnc/contribute

Contact Information

  • GOVERNOR PAT McCRORY: First, email him BY CLICKING HERE or going to: www.governor.state.nc.us/contact/email-pat and then call him Wednesday morning at (919) 814-2000. Let McCrory know that contrary to what the Sheriffs’ Association claims, HB 937 IMPROVES background checks. Even if you already called, call again.

  • EMAIL & CALL SPEAKER THOM TILLIS: Let him know that you appreciate his earlier efforts, but that the Senate has upped the ante and now he needs to resist the power-hungry NC Sheriffs’ Assoc. and pass HB 937 AS IS by making sure the House VOTES TO CONCUR. To contact Speaker Tillis, email Thom.Tillis@ncleg.net and call him on Wednesday morning at 919-733-3451.

  • CALL YOUR NC HOUSE REP: Let him know the sheriffs’ association has known about the “felon loophole” for decades and done nothing. Their objections ring false. Ask him/her to ask why the bill is in the House Rules Committee, where bills are generally consigned to die, and why it hasn’t gotten a prompt committee hearing. Find your House rep by going HERE or to: http://ncga.state.nc.us/representation/WhoRepresentsMe.aspx

  • EMAIL NC Sheriffs: Tell them the rights of law-abiding NC gun owners trump the selfish interest of a few Sheriffs.

Use the following cut-and-paste email list to contact NC Sheriffs:

terry.johnson@alamance-nc.com; cbowman@alexandercountync.gov; acsdrecords@skybest.com; tallen@co.anson.nc.us; sheriff@ashecountygov.com; kevin.frye@averycountync.gov; jordan@sheriff.co.beaufort.nc.us; john.holley@bertie.nc.gov; pbenston@bladenco.org; sheriffingram@brunsco.net; van.duncan@buncombecounty.org; admin@burkesheriff.org; dbriley@cabarruscounty.us; ajones@caldwellcountync.org; tperry@camdencountync.gov; asab@carteretcountygov.org; mwelch@caswellcountync.gov; coy@catawbacountync.gov; richard.webster@chathamsheriff.com; keith.lovin@cherokeecounty-nc.gov; dwayne.goodwin@chowan.nc.gov; claycountysheriff@claync.org; alan.norman@clevelandcounty.com; cbatten@columbusco.org; jmonette@cravencountync.gov; sheriff@ccsonc.org; susan.johnson@currituckcountync.gov; doug.doughtie@darenc.com; david.grice@davidsoncountync.gov; astokes@dcsonc.com; blakew@duplincountync.com; sheriff@shf.co.durham.nc.us; sheriff.knight@co.edgecombe.nc.us; schatzwt@fcso.us; acloninger@gcps.org; gatescoso@hotmail.com; anderson.mickey50@yahoo.com; sheriff@granvillecounty.org; lsmith@co.greene.nc.us; bbarnes@co.guilford.nc.us; frazierj@halifaxnc.com; lrollins@harnett.org; suttles@haywoodnc.net; SheriffMcDonald@hendersoncountync.org; juan.vaughan@hertfordcountync.gov; hpeterkin@hokesheriff.org; barbaradeese@yahoo.com; predmond@co.iredell.nc.us; sheriffashe@jacksonnc.org; sbizzell@jcso.org; sheriff@co.jones.nc.us; sheriff@leecountync.gov; chill@co.lenoir.nc.us; sheriffcarpenter@lincolnsheriff.org; rholland@maconnc.org; sheriffharwood@madisoncountysheriff.org; dgibbs@martincountyncgov.com; dgreene@mcdowellsheriff.org; daniel.bailey@mecklenburgcountync.gov; mcsd@mitchellcounty.org; mcsosheriff@montgomerycountync.com; lweaver@moorecountync.gov; dick.jenkins@nashcountync.gov; emcmahon@nhcgov.com; wardie.vincent@ncmail.net; sheriff@onslowcountync.gov; twpope@co.orange.nc.us; sheriff@co.pasquotank.nc.us; carson.smith@pendersheriff.com; etilley@perquimanscountync.gov; djones@personcounty.net; rnelks@pittcountync.gov; dhill@polknc.org; sheriff@co.randolph.nc.us; james.clemmons@richmondnc.com; sheriff@robesoncoso.org; spage@co.rockingham.nc.us; kevin.auten@rowancountync.gov; chris.francis@rutherfordcountync.gov; sheriff@intrstar.net; sheriff@scotlandsheriff.org; rjburris@co.stanly.nc.us; sheriff@co.stokes.nc.us; atkinsong@co.surry.nc.us; sheriffcochran@swaincountync.gov; sheriffmahoney@tcsonc.org; dliverman@tyrrellcso.net; eddiecathey@co.union.nc.us; pwhite@vancecounty.org; donnie.harrison@co.wake.nc.us; eagleeye@vance.net; jross@washconc.org; Len.Hagaman@watgov.org; carey.winders@waynegov.com; cshew@wilkescountysheriff.net; cwoodard@wilson-co.com; roliver@yadkincountync.gov; gary.banks@yanceycountync.gov

DELIVER THIS MESSAGE

Suggested Subject: “Concur and Approve HB 937!”

To Gov. McCrory. Speaker Tillis and the NCSA:

Dear

If you cause House Bill 937 to be sent to conference committee for the pistol purchase permit repeal to be removed, you will be in the position of obstructing Point of Contact background checks for gun purchases.

The North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association (NCSA) has known for decades about the loophole enabling felons to evade background checks. The National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) has been in existence since 1998. What has the NCSA done to close this loophole?

Nothing. And the reason is as old as man himself: Power and money. If the measure dies and a felon uses a purchase permit to buy a firearm and then uses it in a crime, you will be responsible.

I strongly urge you to push for immediate House concurrence and final approval. Conference is too dangerous and potentially damaging to what now stands as a bill which balances Second Amendment freedoms with punishing violent predators. I will monitor your actions via Grass Roots North Carolina legislative alerts.

Sincerely,

Uncategorized

HB 937 Passes NC Senate And Goes Back To House For Concurrence

June 13, 2013 by

The North Carolina Senate passed HB 937 today on its Third Reading and have sent it back to the House of Representatives for their concurrence. They also rejected an amendment by Sen. Angela Bryant (D-Nash ) which would have allowed the disclosure of non-personal statistics regarding Concealed Handgun Permits including the number of applications, revocations, and denials by both county and Zip code.

While the final roll call vote has not been posted yet, Sean is reporting the final vote was 31-16. After the House concurs, it will go to Gov. Pat McCrory (R-NC) for his signature. There has been no indication that he opposes the bill.

Uncategorized

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

June 12, 2013 by 4 Comments

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

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

From GRNC:

Senate improves on HB 937

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

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

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

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

Improvements to HB 937

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Expands hunting to include use of sound suppressors.

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!

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


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

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

CONTACT INFO

NC SENATE:

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

UNC BOARD OF GOVERNORS:

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

DELIVER THIS MESSAGE

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

Dear Senator,

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

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

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

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

Respectfully,

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

Members of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors:

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

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

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

Respectfully,

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

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

Uncategorized

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

June 11, 2013 by 1 Comment

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

From GRNC:


Continue The Fight To Pass HB 937

Push now for HB 937 Senate hearing!

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

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

UNC President Tom Ross continues attacks on HB 937

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

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

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

New GRNC radio spots promote HB 937

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

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!

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


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

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

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

CONTACT INFO

North Carolina Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans:

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

UNC Board of Governors:

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

DELIVER THIS MESSAGE

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

Dear Senator,

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

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

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

Respectfully,

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

Members of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Respectfully,

Uncategorized

So Much For Pro-Gun Democrats In North Carolina

May 16, 2013 by 4 Comments

Last week, the North Carolina House of Representatives passed HB 937 by a margin of 78 to 42. This bill would amend various North Carolina gun laws. Included in this list of laws were provisions that clarified the General Assembly’s intentions with regard to park carry, that would permit concealed carry (but not alcohol consumption) in establishments that served alcohol, that would permit concealed carry at events that charged admission, and that would permit concealed carry holders to leave their firearms in a locked vehicle on university and community college campuses. Note on this last provision, a person would still be breaking the law if they carried on campus.

The margin of victory for this bill was provided by every single Republican and one lone Democrat voting to pass this bill. The lone Democrat was Rep. Paul Tine (D-Dare) who should be congratulated for breaking ranks with his fellow Democrats to vote for gun rights.

Strong efforts were made to derail this bill through amendments proposed by anti-gun Democrats. However, each and every amendment was tabled through the efforts of Speaker Tom Tillis (R-Mecklenburg) and Rules Committee Chairman Tim Moore (R-Cleveland). This precluded debates that would delay passage of the bill.

As to the amendments themselves, they were, for the most part, the same sort of anti-gun legislation seen in states like Colorado, New York, Maryland, and Connecticut. Five of the 12 total were introduced before the Second Reading vote and the rest before the Third and final Reading of the bill. I have listed the amendments in order below along with their purpose.

  1. Would provide for universal background checks on all private transfers. Uses the Bloomberg language on transfers. Introduced by Rep. Paul Luebke (D-Durham)
  2. Would have deleted the provision concerning firearms in locked vehicles on university and community college campuses. Introduced by Rep. Alma Adams (D-Guilford)
  3. Would increase the penalty for consumption of alcohol while carrying concealed. Includes a $1,000 minimum fine and five year revocation of NC CHP. It also increases it to a Class 1 misdemeanor from a Class 2 misdemeanor.  Introduced by Rep. Darren Jackson (D-Wake)
  4. Would ban magazines with a greater than 10 round capacity as well as shotgun tubes or magazines holding more than eight rounds. Introduced by Rep. Pricey Harrison (D-Guilford)
  5. Would require the safe storage of firearms. Introduced by Rep. Verla Insko (D-Orange)
  6. Would require that a person adjudicated mental incompetent or involuntarily committed and whose rights have been restored under GS 122C-54.1 wait a minimum of seven years after restoration before being allowed to have a CHP. Introduced by Rep. Dennis Riddell (R-Alamance)
  7. Would give universities and community colleges the option to ban concealed handguns on campus. This would also negate storage of a firearm in a locked vehicle on campus by concealed carry permit holders. Introduced by Rep. Rick Glazier (D-Cumberland) Tabled by unrecorded voice vote.
  8. A repeat of Amendment 5 introduced by Rep. Verla Insko (D-Orange)
  9. A repeat of Amendment 4 introduced by Rep. Pricey Harrison (D-Guilford)
  10. A repeat of Amendment 3 introduced by Rep. Darren Jackson (D-Wake)
  11. A repeat of Amendment 1 introduced by Rep. Paul Luebke (D-Durham)
  12. A repeat of Amendment 2 introduced by Rep. Alma Adams (D-Guilford)

While it might be argued that a vote against tabling the bill was a vote to have a broader debate on the merits of the amendment, nonetheless the amendments themselves were anti-gun measures. With the exception of Amendments 6 and 11, not one Democrat voted in favor of tabling these anti-gun amendments. Rep. Michael Wray (D-Halifax) voted to table Amendment 6 and Rep. William Brisson (D-Bladen) voted to table Amendment 11. The only amendment to gather more than 3 Republicans against its tabling was Amendment 6 which garnered 11 Republican “Nay” votes. That amendment was sponsored by Republican Dennis Riddell who ultimately voted for the full bill.

With the exception of the provision concerning storage of firearms in locked vehicles by concealed carry holders on university and community college campuses, this bill was not filled with controversial provisions. It should be remembered that restaurant carry and parks carry both passed the State House in the 2011-2012 session of the General Assembly. Both of those bills had significant support from Democrats.

Given the relatively non-controversial nature of this bill, it is disturbing to see Democrats who claim to be pro-gun and pro-Second Amendment not only vote against this bill but essentially in a favor of the more draconian gun control measures passed in states like New York and Colorado. There are five Democrats below who got a B- or better from the NRA as well as five Democrats who received at least one star from GRNC who traditionally is a hard grader. Not a damn one of them voted for the passage of HB 937.

I am equally saddened by the number of African-American legislators who voted against this bill. Twenty out of the 42 who voted against this bill are African-American. Additionally, Rep. Charles Graham (D-Robeson) is an enrolled member of the Lumbee Nation. Both African-Americans and the Lumbee Indians were targets of the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacists. Gun control laws in North Carolina were meant to keep blacks and other minorities disarmed in the face of these white supremacist groups such as the Klan. Indeed, the current pistol purchase permit requirement is a legacy of these Jim Crow laws.

I have listed below the Democrats who voted against HB 937 on the Third Reading. I have also included their email address and their 2012 ratings by both the NRA and GRNC. If one of these legislators is your representative, I’d write and express my displeasure at their vote.

Last
Name		 Email NRA GRNC
Adams Alma.Adams@ncleg.net F 0
Alexander Kelly.Alexander@ncleg.net B- 0
Baskerville Nathan.Baskerville@ncleg.net ? 0
Bell, L Larry.Bell@ncleg.net F 0
Brandon Marcus.Brandon@ncleg.net ? 0
Brisson William.Brisson@ncleg.net B+ 1*
Carney Becky.Carney@ncleg.net F 0
Cotham Tricia.Cotham@ncleg.net F 0
Cunningham Carla.Cunningham@ncleg.net ? 0
Farmer-Butterfield Jean.Farmer-Butterfield@ncleg.net D- 0
Fisher Susan.Fisher@ncleg.net F 0
Floyd Elmer.Floyd@ncleg.net D  0
Foushee Valerie.Foushee@ncleg.net ? 0
Gill Rosa.Gill@ncleg.net D 0
Glazier Rick.Glazier@ncleg.net D- 0
Goodman Ken.Goodman@ncleg.net D 0
Graham, C Charles.Graham@ncleg.net C 0
Hall, D Duane.Hall@ncleg.net ? 0
Hall, L Larry.Hall@ncleg.net F 0
Hamilton Susi.Hamilton@ncleg.net C- 0
Hanes Edward.Hanes@ncleg.net ? 0
Harrison Pricey.Harrison@ncleg.net F 0
Holley Yvonne.Holley@ncleg.net ? 0
Insko Verla.Insko@ncleg.net F 0
Jackson Darren.Jackson@ncleg.net D 0
Lucas Marvin.Lucas@ncleg.net B 2*
Luebke Paul.Luebke@ncleg.net F 0
McManus Deb.McManus@ncleg.net ? 0
Michaux Mickey.Michaux@ncleg.net F 0
Mobley Annie.Mobley@ncleg.net D- 0
Moore, R Rodney.Moore@ncleg.net D 0
Pierce Garland.Pierce@ncleg.net C- 0
Queen Joe.Queen@ncleg.net B 3*
Richardson Bobbie.Richardson@ncleg.net NR NR
Ross, D Deborah.Ross@ncleg.net F 0
Terry Evelyn.Terry@ncleg.net ? 0
Tolson Joe.Tolson@ncleg.net C+ 1*
Waddell Ken.Waddell@ncleg.net ? 0
Wilkens Winkie.Wilkins@ncleg.net C- 0
Wray Michael.Wray@ncleg.net B 1*
Uncategorized

GRNC On Passage Of HB 937 By NC State House

May 8, 2013 by

The North Carolina House of Representatives passed HB 937 – Amend Various Firearms Laws – on the Third Reading. They also tabled a number of amendments which would not only have weakened the bill but would have added things like magazine restrictions, background checks, and safe storage laws. What the bill does do is clarify park carry, allow restaurant carry and carry in events that charge admission, and allows concealed carry holders to have firearms locked in their vehicles on university and community college campuses.

What was sad is that only one Democrat voted for the bill. That was Rep. Paul Tine (D-Dare) of Kitty Hawk. He is to be congratulated. The rest of the Democrats in the State House including some that ostensibly were “pro-gun” not only voted against the bill but for the weakening amendments. I’ll have a subsequent post up on those amendments and who voted for them later.

In the meantime, Grass Roots North Carolina is quite pleased that the Republicans stood firm “with those that brought them.” It goes on to the State Senate where it will face continued opposition from the leadership of the University of North Carolina System and a number of Democrats. GRNC is asking that people ask Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) to stand firm this time.

Standing Firm

In recent months, GRNC has spent plenty of time beating on Republican leaders for failing to “dance with the ones that brought them,” namely failure to move gun legislation after gun owners came out strong in the 2012 elections.

Perhaps that message got through: On Monday and Tuesday, Republicans stood firm in defending House Bill 937, “Amend Various Gun Laws,” against an onslaught of anti-gun amendments proposed by Reps. Darren Jackson (D-Wake, GRNC 0-star), Paul Leubke (D-Durham, 0-star), Verla Insko (D-Orange, 0-star), Pricey Harrison (D-Guilford, 0-star) and others. Thanks are due in particular to Speaker Thom Tillis (R-Mecklenburg, ****) and Rules Chair Tim Moore (R-Cleveland, ****).

As weakening amendment after weakening amendment was introduced, Rep. Tim (“The Hammer”) Moore and Rep. Justin Burr (R-Montgomery, Stanly, ****) shot them down with motions “lay the amendments on the table.” But for their efforts, North Carolina gun owners could have been saddled not only with weakening amendments to the original bill, but also to exactly the sort of universal gun registration and standard capacity magazine bans you just defeated at a federal level.

Rep. “Yellow Star” Jackson, who previously tried to brand gun owners by their drivers’ licenses much as Nazi’s put Yellow Stars on those bound for concentration camps, was particularly relentless, earning GRNC-PVF’s special attention in future elections.

Eloquent defense of gun owners was also given by Reps. John Blust (R-Guilford, ****), Bert Jones (R-Caswell, Rockingham, ****), Larry Pittman (R-Cabarrus, ****), John Faircloth (R-Guilford, ****) and others. It should be noted that Tillis ran a tight ship, ruling for early termination of “surprise” amendments not previously submitted to legislators for review.

What Next?

HB 937 now heads for the Senate, where it will undoubtedly find an equally rocky path. In addition to UNC opposition, campus carry is one thing Senate leadership has not signed off on. You input to Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger (R-Guilford, Rockingham. ****) will be necessary to move the bill.

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!

CONTACT SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM PHIL BERGER: Let him know that now that the House has gotten the ball rolling, you expect the Senate to pick it up THIS YEAR. We will not again stand by for “next year,” as in 2011-12, at which point the chamber said, “Well, we really can’t do this in an election year.” Email Berger at: Phil.Berger@ncleg.net

Uncategorized

Life In The Ivory Tower

May 6, 2013 by 7 Comments

The Faculty Senate at the university where I teach as an adjunct instructor is all bent out of shape by HB 937 which is being considered by the North Carolina House of Representatives. Section 2 of the bill would allow concealed carry holders and employees who live on campus to lock their handguns in their cars while on campus. Currently, North Carolina law makes it a felony to have a firearm on any university or community college campus.

The Faculty Senate wants to adopt a resolution supporting the continuance of the school as an official gun-free zone. Their resolution below makes it clear that they think it will make the university safer. As anyone who has attended any institution of higher learning will attest, professors live in their own (imaginary) world.

Resolution to Support the Prohibition against Possession of Firearms on Campus

Whereas, North Carolina State code § 14‑269.2, “Weapons on campus or other educational property” prohibits the possession of firearms on campus, and

Whereas, the North Carolina Legislature has introduced House Bill 937 that would allow individuals with concealed-carry permits to bring guns onto UNC and other college and university campuses, thus removing the prohibition against the possession of firearms on campus, and

Whereas, in 2010, the Western Carolina University (WCU) Faculty Senate passed a Resolution for Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus (April 7, 2010; passed by electronic vote: 26 Yes, 1 No, 0 Abstaining), and

Whereas, on April 29, 2013, UNC President Thomas Ross released a statement noting his concerns with HB 937 and encouraging the General Assembly “..to remove the provision that would allow guns to be brought onto UNC and other college and university campuses” (See President Ross’ statement* below.)

Therefore, the WCU Faculty Senate resolves to:

  1. Restate its support for the 2010 WCU Faculty Senate resolution against guns on campus, and
  2.  Show support for President Ross’ April 29, 2013 statement in opposition to House Bill 937 in which he expressed serious concerns as indicated below*, and
  3. Encourage the NC General Assembly to remove the provision in HB 937 that would allow firearms on campus.

*April 29, 2013 Statement Released by University of North Carolina President Ross:

“We have an obligation to provide a safe environment for our students and employees, and every UNC campus has a trained police force charged with promoting the safety of all people who come onto our campuses. All UNC Chancellors and Chiefs of Police believe allowing guns on campus would increase the risk to public safety and hamper our ability to protect not only our students, staff ,and faculty, but also campus visitors, including parents, siblings of students, and summer camp participants. Vehicle break-ins are one of the leading crimes on college campuses, and even guns brought lawfully onto campus, as contemplated by this bill, could fall into the wrong hands and result in serious injury or death.

“In addition, a number of UNC campuses house early college high schools, middle schools, or summer camps for younger children. The presence of these young people further heightens our concerns about the safety risks that come with guns getting into the wrong hands. Moreover, when responding to an armed robbery or active shooter incident, our officers would often be hard pressed to distinguish between a criminal suspect and well-intentioned bystanders with weapons drawn, particularly in the heat of the moment. The potential for tragedy far outweighs any potential benefit or convenience to concealed-carry permit holders. We encourage the General Assembly to remove the provision that would allow guns to be brought onto UNC and other college and university campuses.”

There is no word yet if my fellow faculty members will stomp their feet and hold their breath until blue in the face if the General Assembly just ignores this resolution and passes the bill intact.

Uncategorized

Update On HB 937 – Omnibus Gun Bill In North Carolina

May 1, 2013 by

The vote scheduled for yesterday in the North Carolina House of Representatives on HB 937 was pulled from the calendar. The gun prohibitionists are saying it was due to them but, in reality, it was due to the need for a fiscal note to be attached to the bill.

As Grass Roots North Carolina notes, we still need to keep up the pressure on the General Assembly to act on this bill soon and not to dilute it.



Keep pressure on: delay gives gun control extremists time to prepare opposition

At the last minute HB 937, “Amend Various Firearm Laws” was pulled from the House schedule and not voted on. The reason for this unexpected rescheduling is not, as North Carolinians “Against Gun Violence” would have you believe, due to gun control input. At least as stated by leadership, it was due to a delayed request for a fiscal note to be attached to the bill. There is, however, a chance that it was delayed due to UNC opposition listed below.

This bill is critical for NC gun owners and contains restaurant carry, provisions for guns in locked vehicles on college campuses, carry in assemblies for which admission is charged, and a “cleanup” of parks carry language.

It has already raised the hackles of citizen disarmament proponents, including UNC President Tom Ross, who apparently doesn’t trust our state’s brightest young men and women with the means to effectively defend themselves.

We need to increase the heat on the NC House to ensure that this bill is both voted on and passed without the weakening amendments that will be proposed by extremists who want North Carolinians disarmed. MAKE SURE to participate in this email effort – the stakes are high and we need full participation to drive our message home!

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!

  • EMAIL HOUSE REPUBLICANS: Use the copy and paste list below to deliver a clear message that you expect them to pass HB 937 without delay.

  • CALL & EMAIL YOUR NC HOUSE REP: Let them know you expect them to vote against all weakening amendments and for final passage of HB 937. Find your rep HERE or by going to: http://www.ncleg.net/representation/WhoRepresentsMe.aspx

Contact Information

Copy and paste email addresses for House Republicans:

Dean.Arp@ncleg.net, Marilyn.Avila@ncleg.net, John.Bell@ncleg.net, Hugh.Blackwell@ncleg.net, Jamie.Boles@ncleg.net, Robert.Brawley@ncleg.net, Brian.Brown@ncleg.net, Rayne.Brown@ncleg.net, Rob.Bryan@ncleg.net, Dana.Bumgardner@ncleg.net, Justin.Burr@ncleg.net, Rick.Catlin@ncleg.net, George.Cleveland@ncleg.net, Jeff.Collins@ncleg.net, Debra.Conrad@ncleg.net, Leo.Daughtry@ncleg.net, Ted.Davis@ncleg.net, Jimmy.Dixon@ncleg.net, Josh.Dobson@ncleg.net, Jerry.Dockham@ncleg.net, Nelson.Dollar@ncleg.net, Jeffrey.Elmore@ncleg.net, John.Faircloth@ncleg.net, Jim.Fulghum@ncleg.net, Mike.Hager@ncleg.net, Jon.Hardister@ncleg.net, Kelly.Hastings@ncleg.net, Mark.Hollo@ncleg.net, Bryan.Holloway@ncleg.net, Craig.Horn@ncleg.net, Julia.Howard@ncleg.net, Pat.Hurley@ncleg.net, Frank.Iler@ncleg.net, Charles.Jeter@ncleg.net, Linda.Johnson2@ncleg.net, Bert.Jones@ncleg.net, Jonathan.Jordan@ncleg.net, Donny.Lambeth@ncleg.net, James.Langdon@ncleg.net, David.Lewis@ncleg.net, Chris.Malone@ncleg.net, Susan.Martin@ncleg.net, Pat.McElraft@ncleg.net, Chuck.McGrady@ncleg.net, Allen.McNeill@ncleg.net, Chris.Millis@ncleg.net, Tim.Moffitt@ncleg.net, Tim.Moore@ncleg.net, Tom.Murry@ncleg.net, Michele.Presnell@ncleg.net, Nathan.Ramsey@ncleg.net, Dennis.Riddell@ncleg.net, Stephen.Ross@ncleg.net, Jason.Saine@ncleg.net, Ruth.Samuelson@ncleg.net, Jacqueline.Schaffer@ncleg.net, Mitchell.Setzer@ncleg.net, Phil.Shepard@ncleg.net, Paul.Stam@ncleg.net, Edgar.Starnes@ncleg.net, Bob.Steinburg@ncleg.net, Sarah.Stevens@ncleg.net, Michael.Stone@ncleg.net, John.Szoka@ncleg.net, Thom.Tillis@ncleg.net, John.Torbett@ncleg.net, Rena.Turner@ncleg.net, Harry.Warren@ncleg.net, Andy.Wells@ncleg.net, Roger.West@ncleg.net, Chris.Whitmire@ncleg.net,

DELIVER THIS MESSAGE

Suggested Subject: “Pass HB 937, “Amend Various Firearm Laws” WITHOUT amendments!”

Dear Representative:

I strongly urge you to support House Bill 937, “Amend Various Firearms Laws” by passing the bill without weakening amendments. Provision for concealed handgun permit-holders to carry in restaurants is already law in surrounding states like TN, VA, GA and OH. The “Chicken Little” predictions of gun control extremists in those states have not been realized. Are not North Carolinians as trustworthy as citizens of surrounding states?

It is past time that we are able to defend ourselves and our families while eating at dinner restaurants. It is past time that law-abiding faculty and staff are able to adequately defend themselves while traveling to and from work.

Your constituents have a fundamental right to bear arms for defense. It is your responsibility to help remove infringements on this right. This is why NC gun owners elected pro-Second Amendment legislators in an election that went liberal in other states.

We worked hard for you. Now it is your turn to return the favor.

I will be monitoring your actions via Grass Roots North Carolina legislative alerts, and rest assured I will hold legislators accountable for their votes.

Respectfully,

As I write this, I am in Texas. On the morning news here, there was a report that the Texas legislature is considering a bill that would allow concealed carry holders to store their firearms in a locked vehicle while on campus. This is the same as HB 937 would allow. Just like in North Carolina, the usual suspects are objecting.