RINOs

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HR 3999 – The “Bipartisan” Answer To S.1916 Is A Trojan Horse

October 11, 2017 by 2 Comments

You knew it was only a matter of time before some spineless Republican – but I repeat myself – introduced a bill that mimicked Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s S. 1916 – Automatic Gunfire Prevention Act. Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) and Rep. Seth Moulton (R-MA) introduced the bill yesterday and it has 11 Democrats and 10 Republicans as co-sponsors.

Reading the wording of the bill, it is actually worse for the firearms community than avowedly anti-gun Feinstein’s bill. Her bill at least makes mention of bump fire stocks and trigger cranks. The operative wording on this bill says:

(a) PROHIBITION.—Section 922 of title 18, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
‘‘(aa) It shall be unlawful for any person—
‘‘(1) in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, to manufacture, possess, or transfer any part or combination of parts that is designed and functions to increase the rate of fire of a semiautomatic rifle but does not convert the semiautomatic rifle into a machinegun; or
‘‘(2) to manufacture, possess, or transfer any
such part or combination of parts that have been
shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.’’.

I call this bill a Trojan Horse because it can mean anything and everything that the regulators at the BATFE and DOJ want it to mean. Improved triggers, springs, and heavier buffers than stock could all be included under the wording of this bill.

Here are the Republicans that have signed on as co-sponsors. Some are the usual suspects like Peter King; some should know better. I have put their NRA-PVF grade for 2016 after their names. Rep. Curbelo, the bill’s sponsor, was rated a B+ by the NRA_PVF.

Rep. King, Peter T. [R-NY-2]* F
Rep. Lance, Leonard [R-NJ-7]* A Endorsed
Rep. Meehan, Patrick [R-PA-7]* B-
Rep. Royce, Edward R. [R-CA-39]* A Endorsed
Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]* C+
Rep. Paulsen, Erik [R-MN-3]* A Endorsed
Rep. Costello, Ryan A. [R-PA-6]* A Endorsed
Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [R-FL-27]* A Endorsed
Rep. Dent, Charles W. [R-PA-15]* A Endorsed
Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21]* A Endorsed

It disgusts me to see that seven out of the 10 Republican co-sponsors were “A Endorsed” candidates in 2016. While the NRA meant for their statement of bump fire stocks to be a delaying device, it has also become cover for these Republicans. The average voter isn’t going to go into the exact wording of the NRA’s statement. They are just going to say, “The NRA says bump fire stocks should be banned and this is what these Republicans are doing.” You know and I know that the NRA called for greater regulation which is much different than a ban.

With regard to the Democrat co-sponsors, they are all rated F with the exception of Rep. Gene Green (D-TX) who got a B-.

This bill needs to be stopped and stopped now. The Republicans supporting this bill need calls from their constituents and donors.

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GRNC Rally For Constitutional Rights

September 18, 2017 by

Squish the Magic Rino returns to Raleigh!

The North Carolina General Assembly returns to Raleigh on October 11th and Squish and his friends at Grass Roots North Carolina will be there to welcome them back. HB 746, which would allow permitless concealed carry among other things, is still stuck in the State Senate. While it has passed the House, Senate leaders seem to think bowing down to a certain wealthy ex-mayor and his hired minions is preferable to listening to those that got them elected.

More details in this release put out by GRNC:

RALLY FOR YOUR RIGHTS

Squish the Magic RINO returns to Raleigh for your
Constitutional rights…

Do you remember all of the speeches
during the last election cycle, how the Republican candidates couldn’t
say
enough about how pro-Second Amendment they are? Unfortunately, it seems
that Republicans have since become complacent, and they are taking gun
owners
like you for granted.

We know this because House Bill 746 is still stuck
in the Senate, a bill that gives NC Republicans a perfect opportunity to
follow through on their campaign rhetoric. Yet, “stuck” is the key term
here, not “follow through.” 

Worse yet, we
know that Michael Bloomberg’s out-of-state money has been hard at work
in North Carolina, with a few well-paid operatives whispering fear and
doubt
into the ears of our elected leaders. This isn’t a new game for them,
since they prognosticate doom about every pro-Second Amendment measure
that
comes up … and when these pro-gun bills are passed into law, their
fears of doom are proven to be completely unfounded. Still, we want to
make sure
that responsible, law-abiding gun owners are being seen and heard by
their elected leaders. Let’s remind them that rich New Yorkers and a few
paid
minions don’t speak for us in our state legislature.

 

Attend the Rally in
Raleigh

As it stands, the
General Assembly is scheduled to return for a special session on
*Wednesday, October 11th, and GRNC has planned a gun rights rally for the mall area between the Legislature and the Legislative
Office Building. However, if we are to effectively remind Republicans about you… we need YOU there. Together, we can
encourage our leaders to live up to their promises and move House Bill 746 in this special session.

If you can
attend, please click here to RSVP. See below,
under ‘Immediate Action Required,’ for more details.

Barring a
schedule change, which is entirely in the hands of the politicians in
Raleigh, the
demonstration will take place on *Wednesday, October 11th at 11:00 AM. 

And, just to ensure Republicans don’t miss
the message:

Squish the Magic RINO
will be
there!

*
A
legislative session is currently
scheduled to open October 11. Technically speaking, this is subject to
change, and is ultimately up to the legislators themselves. Should the
date
change, GRNC will keep you apprised, and do its best to hold an
effective rally on the appropriate date. As possible and if required,
your flexibility
is requested and greatly appreciated.


IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!
  • RSVP ON THE GRNC WEBSITE
    and let us know that you
    can attend the rally (or go to: https://www.grnc.org/october-11-demonstration)

  • ATTEND THE
    RALLY    ! It will be located on the grass mall just north of the Legislative building at 16 W. Jones St., Raleigh,
    NC    . The rally will begin at 11:00 AM, *Wednesday, October 11, but it’s wise to get there early to alleviate parking concerns.

  • PLEASE DRESS FOR THE PRESS. We encourage professional attire. Please, no inflammatory slogans on clothing or signs. We
    want to show everyone that North Carolina’s gun owners are the most civil, respectful, law-abiding citizens! 
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Meet Squish The Magic RINO

August 2, 2017 by 1 Comment

While I may have hated what Saul Alinsky stood for, I must admit his Rules for Radicals does come in handy when pushing for gun rights. Grass Roots North Carolina has learned this lesson and plans to unveil their version of Rule No. 5 tomorrow. That rule states “Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon” and GRNC plans to make the most of it. They will have a new mascot to go along with their bulldog. The new mascot is named Squish the Magic RINO. You can guess where that name came from.

To protest the failure of the North Carolina Senate to bring HB 746 which included permitless concealed carry to the floor for a vote as well as to highlight those Republicans in the House who voted against the bill, they plan to have a rally in Raleigh against these Republicans in name only. Given that the Republicans achieved a super-majority in both house of the General Assembly through the hard work, efforts, and votes of gun owners, they need to be reminded that they should be dancing those that brung them. It seems that some of these Republicans would rather be beholden to Michael Bloomberg than to the voters of their own districts.

I think Squish makes a perfectly fine addition to the roster of mascots. Perhaps, in addition to Squish, there needs to be one called Squirmy because that is what I want to see these Rino guys and gals squirm.

Gun group to lampoon GOP
RINOs


Failure of Senate to pass HB 746 will be topic of demonstration at NC General
Assembly

At 11:00 am on Thursday, August 3,
Grass
Roots North Carolina will hold NC Senate Republicans accountable for the
Senate’s failure to pass House Bill 746 (“Omnibus Gun
Changes”) which would, among other things, bring North Carolina on board
with the 13 states which have already passed permitless carry of
concealed handguns. The event will be held at the Halifax Mall at the NC
General Assembly.

Meet “Squish the Magic R.I.N.O.” & Friends!

To highlight the fact that some GOP senators
(including Senator Phil Berger?) seem to be behaving like “Republicans
in
Name Only” (R.I.N.O.s), GRNC will be introducing a new mascot, “Squish the Magic R.I.N.O.” and friends. If
Republicans fail to pass HB 746 during or before the 2018 short session of the General Assembly, “Squish” could become a regular
feature at GOP campaign events.

Take advantage of this highly photogenic
event!

Squish and his friends will be cavorting under a highly photogenic banner proclaiming:

“NC Senate R.I.N.Os:

Giving Gun Voters ‘The Horn’ Since…?”

Event details:
When: August 3 at 11:00 AM
EDT

Where: Halifax Mall, NC General Assembly, 16 West Jones Street,
Raleigh, NC 27601
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Rally Against The RINOs In Raleigh

July 31, 2017 by

The North Carolina General Assembly is returning for a special session on August 3rd. Grass Roots North Carolina is preparing a welcome for them called Rally Against RINOs in Raleigh. It is to remind the Republicans that they only achieved their supermajority in both houses due to the efforts of gun owners. The impetus for this rally is the inability of the Republicans in the House to pass HB 746 with a veto proof majority and the refusal of the State Senate to bring the bill to the floor for a vote.

If you are in the Raleigh area or if you can be in the Raleigh area for the rally on Thursday, the details are below:

LET’S REMIND OUR REPUBLICANS WHO

PUT THEM IN OFFICE.
Remember in the last election how the Republican candidates couldn’t get enough love from pro-second
amendment North Carolinians? Remember how they promised to be the stalwart guardians of your gun rights?

As expected, they have forgotten who
“brung ’em to the dance.” We know this because House Bill 746 is stuck
in the Senate — the result of petty quibbling and inactivity.
Politicians are always at risk of becoming complacent (especially when
their party holds a supermajority in both the house and the senate), and
they
sometimes need to be reminded of who they work for.

Worse yet: we
know that Michael Bloomberg’s out-of-state money has been hard at work
in
North Carolina, with a few well-paid operatives whispering fear and
doubt into the ears of our elected leaders. This isn’t a new game for
them, since
they prognosticate doom about every pro-Second Amendment measure that
comes up … and when these pro-gun bills are passed into law, their
fears of
doom are proven to be completely unfounded. Still, we want to make sure
that responsible, law-abiding gun owners are being seen and heard by
their
elected leaders. Let’s remind them that rich New Yorkers and a few paid
minions don’t speak for us in our state legislature.

The General Assembly
returns for a special session on Thursday August 3, and we’ve planned a gun rights rally for the mall area between the Legislature
and the Legislative Office Building. Most importantly: we need YOU there to join the chorus of North Carolina’s
law-abiding, responsible gun owners. Together, we can encourage our leaders to move House Bill 746 in this special session.

The
demonstration will take place on Thursday August 3 at 11:00 AM. This will be a safe, fun, family-oriented event where we will introduce a new
figure to North Carolina’s political scene: Squish the Magic RINO!

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!
  • RSVP
    on the GRNC website     and     let us
    know that you can attend the rally (https://www.grnc.org/august-3-demonstration).
  • Attend the rally! It will be located on the grass mall just north of the
    Legislative building at 16 W. Jones St., Raleigh. The rally will begin at 11:00 AM, but it’s wise to get there early to alleviate
    parking concerns.
  • Please make sure that you dress for the press. We
    encourage professional attire. Please, no inflammatory slogans on clothing or signs. We want to show everyone that North Carolina’s gun
    owners are the most civil, respectful, law-abiding citizens!
Uncategorized

A Neutered HB 562 Passes The NC House

June 18, 2015 by 5 Comments

After considering 10 amendments and voting on seven of them, the NC House passed HB 562 by a 78 yea to 37 nay vote in its 3rd Reading. The pistol purchase permits system repeal was deleted in its entirety. As things were left yesterday, the pistol purchase permits would have only been required for private sales as an exemption was made for sales through FFLs. Today’s Amendment 10 by Rep. David Lewis (R-Harnett) stripped that provision out of the bill.

There are some good things left in the bill. The process for obtaining a pistol permit has been standardized, newer shooting ranges will be protected, state preemption is reiterated, and chief law enforcement officers have to sign off on NFA items if the applicant is not precluded by state or Federal law. Oh, and you can also carry an ordinary pocketknife in the State Capitol and on its grounds.

As you can probably imagine, the Everytown Moms for Illegal Mayors and their backers in the legislative gallery who wore their Felon-Orange shirts are crowing about the defeat of the pistol purchase permit repeal. In fact, they are proclaiming victory saying that “the Moms fought the law and the Moms won.”

“It was really great that most of the amendments were brought forth by Republicans. This is not a partisan issue: we are talking about common sense safety laws. We’re building strong, bipartisan opposition to the gun lobby,” said Sarah Green, state chapter leader of Moms Demand Action.

Sarah Green is correct that the amendments that neutered the bill were brought by the Republicans. The GOP is not called the stupid party for nothing. If the Republicans who knelt in obeisance before the state’s sheriffs think that avoiding the issue will gain them political points, they are even stupider than I thought. Those in the galleries wearing their Felon-Orange shirts will never support them and those of us in the gun rights community will never forget.

Paul Valone, president of Grass Roots North Carolina, certainly doesn’t intend to forget those Republicans who paid lip service to gun rights in 2014 and then deserted us in 2015. In an email to me, with which I have permission to quote, he said:

“Grass Roots North Carolina would like to thank North Carolina House Republicans for giving us exactly what we asked for: Recorded votes. Lots of recorded votes that tell us exactly who our friends are and are not, and which activate our core supporters going into the 2016 primary elections. Inevitably, the party in power becomes comfortable and unmotivated, in time forgetting who ‘brung ’em to the dance.’ When they achieve supermajorities and draw themselves comfy districts, that time apparently shrinks to four short years. But in their safe Republican seats, they forget something: Other Republicans can occupy those seats. In 2016, we will use those recorded votes to provide them a few little reminders of that fact.”

 Paul is correct. We know who our real friends are when it counts. We also know who is just a fair weather friend making nice noises about the Second Amendment but deserts us when push comes to shove.

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GRNC – RINOs Sell Out To The Sheriffs

June 17, 2015 by 1 Comment

Grass Roots North Carolina has sent out an alert this evening before the 3rd Reading of HB 562. That is scheduled for tomorrow and more amendments may be expected to come up.

I think Paul Valone must be as pissed off about this as I am. November 2016 will be here sooner than many of these so-called Second Amendment supporters realize. Indeed, some of them may end up getting primaried.

The letter below mentions GRNC will be watching. I know this is a GRNC alert but I might add in that it will be both GRNC and the NRA that will be watching. Let these politicians figure out which one can harm them the most.

You may want to send a special message to those Republicans that I highlighted in my earlier post. These Republicans including Speaker Pro Tem Paul Stam (R-Wake), Rep. Allen McNeill (R-Randolph), Rep. David Lewis (R- Harnett), and Rep. Brig. Gen. Gary Pendleton (R-Wake) not only sold out gun owners but stuck the knife in and turned it.

SELLING YOU OUT TO THE SHERIFFS!

Remember how you helped to
to elect a supermajority of Republicans in the State legislature? Well, guess what? They’re showing their true colors.


In
what can only be described as a display of sheer cowardice, several
amendments that have considerably weakened H562 (including an amendment
to leave
the dangerous pistol purchase permitting process in place) were passed
during the bill’s second reading in the House today. Given the
considerable
Republican majority in the house, this can only mean one thing: many of
the “pro gun” Republicans care more about the NC Sheriffs’
Association than they care about you..




Still unwilling to give up their cash cow, even after admitting that the pistol purchase
permit system is fraught with problems, it’s becoming clear where the loyalties of many of our Republican house members rests.


The
fight isn’t over, though, and we need to flood the inboxes and voicemail
mailboxes of our House members. Demand that H562 pass third reading
tomorrow
without any more crippling amendments.


We would like to
take a moment to thank Speaker Moore, though, for bringing the bill to
the house floor for a vote, and for the votes of the House Patriots that
did
their best to stop these damaging amendments. Extra thanks goes to House
members Adams, Pittman and Speciale, for their strong defense of the
second
amendment.

Lastly: we need to remind all of the House
members that we’ll remember how they voted (for better or worse) in the next election cycle.

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!
  • EMAIL NC HOUSE REPUBLICANS. Use the copy/paste email list provided below, and the copy paste text under ‘Deliver
    This Message.’ Let them know that you’re watching carefully, and that we don’t need any more weak-kneed amendments.

  • CALL YOUR
    NC HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE    . Tell him or her the same thing: that H562 has been unnecessarily weakened, and that you
    will not support any more weakening amendments. Find your NC House rep by clicking here 

    (or go to: http://ncleg.net/representation/WhoRepresentsMe.aspx).

  • DONATE TO
    THE GRNC-PVF    . We need your help for primary paybacks. Please visit us at http://www.grnc.org/grnc-pvf/donate-to-grnc-pvf
CONTACT INFO


NC House Republicans Email List:

Jay.Adams@ncleg.net;
Dean.Arp@ncleg.net;
Marilyn.Avila@ncleg.net; John.Bell@ncleg.net; Dan.Bishop@ncleg.net;
Hugh.Blackwell@ncleg.net; John.Blust@ncleg.net; Jamie.Boles@ncleg.net;
John.Bradford@ncleg.net; Bill.Brawley@ncleg.net; Mark.Brody@ncleg.net;
Rayne.Brown@ncleg.net; Brian.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; Nelson.Dollar@ncleg.net;
Jeffrey.Elmore@ncleg.net;
John.Faircloth@ncleg.net; Carl.Ford@ncleg.net; John.Fraley@ncleg.net;
Mike.Hager@ncleg.net; Jon.Hardister@ncleg.net; Kelly.Hastings@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; Chris.Malone@ncleg.net;
Susan.Martin@ncleg.net; Pat.McElraft@ncleg.net; Allen.McNeill@ncleg.net;
Chris.Millis@ncleg.net; Gary.Pendleton@ncleg.net;
Larry.Pittman@ncleg.net;
Michele.Presnell@ncleg.net; Dennis.Riddell@ncleg.net;
George.Robinson@ncleg.net; Stephen.Ross@ncleg.net;
Jason.Saine@ncleg.net;
Mitchell.Setzer@ncleg.net; Phil.Shepard@ncleg.net;
Michael.Speciale@ncleg.net; Paul.Stam@ncleg.net;
Bob.Steinburg@ncleg.net; Sarah.Stevens@ncleg.net;
John.Szoka@ncleg.net; John.Torbett@ncleg.net; Rena.Turner@ncleg.net;
Harry.Warren@ncleg.net; Sam.Watford@ncleg.net; Roger.West@ncleg.net;
Chris.Whitmire@ncleg.net; Larry.Yarborough@ncleg.net;
Lee.Zachary@ncleg.net; Chuck.McGrady@ncleg.net; Paul.Tine@ncleg.net

DELIVER THIS MESSAGE

Suggested Subject: “Why is H562 Getting Gutted?“
Dear Representative:
I
was shocked and disappointed to see so many weakening
amendments passed this afternoon on House Bill 562. Not only do these
amendments retain the dangerous and capriciously bigoted Pistol Purchase
Permit
system, but they also repeal necessary protections for the collection of
a patients’ personal information that has absolutely nothing to do with
the
delivery of good health care. These actions are dangerous for the
citizens of North Carolina and contradict the rights of the state’s
law-abiding
citizens.

I insist that you actively oppose any further amendments that
will weaken H562 when it goes for its third vote in the House tomorrow.

I will
continue to monitor the progress of H562 through Grass Roots North Carolina alerts.

Sincerely,
Uncategorized

Naming Names – NC Republicans Who Deserted Gun Owners

June 16, 2015 by 5 Comments

As I said in the prior post, there were three amendments that gutted much of what was good in HB 562. The gutted parts include both the repeal of the pistol purchase permits system and the patient privacy protections. It is obvious that the unholy alliance of the North Carolina Sheriffs Association with the gun prohibitionists triumphed today. The only major things that helped out gun owners that survived are range protection, must-sign requirement for the CLEO on NFA items, and the reiteration of statewide uniformity on firearms law. Any of those three could have been a separate bill that would have passed.

Amendments One, Five, and Seven were the key amendments that gutted the bill. Every Democrat voted for them as expected. It is the Republicans who should be ashamed of their actions.

Amendment One seemed to have the quasi-support of some of the bills sponsors and may have been a previously agreed upon change to the final bill.

Here are the Republicans who voted for Amendment One:

Representative(s): Arp; Avila; B. Brown; Blackwell; Boles; Brawley; Bryan; Burr; Conrad; Daughtry; Davis; Dixon; Dobson; Dollar; Faircloth; Fraley; Holloway; Horn; Howard; Hurley; Iler; Jeter; L. Johnson; Lambeth; Langdon; Lewis; Malone; McElraft; McGrady; McNeill; Pendleton; R. Turner; Robinson; Ross; S. Martin; Schaffer; Shepard; Stam; Stevens; Tine; Warren; Watford; Yarborough

Amendment Five, as I noted, doubled down on keeping the pistol purchase permit system. The Republicans who voted for it were:

Representative(s): Avila; Blackwell; Boles; Brawley; Bryan; Daughtry; Davis; Dobson; Faircloth; Fraley; Holloway; Horn; Howard; Hurley; Iler; Jeter; L. Johnson; Lambeth; Langdon; Malone; McElraft; McGrady; McNeill; Pendleton; R. Turner; Riddell; Robinson; Ross; Stam (CHAIR); Stevens; Tine; Warren; Watford; Zachary

Finally, Amendment Seven removed the patient privacy protections, weak as they were. It had less Republican support but could not have passed without these Republican representatives:

Representative(s): B. Brown; Blackwell; Brawley; Bryan; Davis; Dollar; Faircloth; Fraley; Horn; Jeter; L. Johnson; Lambeth; Lewis; Malone; Pendleton; Ross; Stam; Tine; Watford

If any of these Republicans are your representative, you may want to call them, email, or fax them your displeasure. Frankly, I’m at the point where I don’t give a damn if what is left of HB 562 passes or not. Is a neutered, watered-down bill worth it if it gives our so-called “friends” something with which they can say to voters that they voted for gun rights? I say no.