GRNC is Very PRO-GUN (WACKI you have it all wrong)
Wacki,
You wrote "Is this organization real or AstroTurf? Are they a major organization there?"
Yes GRNC is real and has been the predominate RKBA organization in NC since 1994. They have in fact been responsible for virtually every pro-gun legislation during the past 19 years. Their legislative accomplishments and tenacious defense of the Second Amendment are unparalleled. It began with passing NC conceal carry laws in 1994 to most recently initiating sweeping changes to NC gun law after more than 130 years of Democrat control of the general assembly.
Two recent GRNC sponsored amendments to NC law are in fact specific to title II ownership (suppressors, short barreled rifles, and machine guns). Your post implying that GRNC is pro-NFA gun control is absurd. GRNC changed NC law ensuring that state law followed federal title II ownership requirements specific to 26 USC 53. GRNC accomplished this with HB 650 which became law in December 2011. Previously title II ownership in NC was "questionable" and in fact the deputy attorney general told the NC Sheriff's Association it was illegal for private citizens to own machine guns. Overnight the majority of sheriffs refused to sign form 4, although a handful still would.
For many years the law was never challenged in court but eventually was,
Land vs. Village Wesley of Chapel . Michael Land purchase a secluded piece of property in NC and built a range on his property so that he could enjoy shooting his guns, some of which were registered NFA weapons. Over the years others purchased property in the area and began objecting to the occasional automatic gun fire. They tried to sue him several times, most recently claiming his guns were illegal for him to own. Fortunately, during this time GRNC drafted legislation that amended NCGS 14-409 and 14-288.8 as part of HB 650 conforming NC law so that it followed 26 USC 53. Basically if you can own a NFA weapon under federal law you could also own it under NC law.
Most recently GRNC was able to amend NC law so that suppressors can be used legally while hunting. This was accomplished as part of HB 937 which took affect 1 October 2013.
So understand that GRNC has lead the movement promoting NFA ownership in NC!
I am offended by your selective posting in which you take out of context the portion of a GRNC alert encouraging people to lobby AFT to
not require a CLEO certification when Trust and LLC transfers are used to acquire a NFA firearm. Understand that it is widely accepted that ATF is going to amend Trust/LLC transfer requirements. The concern is how draconian is it going to become? Since Trust and LLC transfers are typically part of estate planning and keep the sheriff from getting involved it is a viable alternative. However, since many sheriffs refuse to provide their signatures for Form 4 transfers making it mandatory, as suggested by the Holder/Obama administration, and currently under review by ATF the result will practically eradicate the Trust/LLC transfer option for many.
So Wacki, please fully appreciate the situation and results. While, I agree it will be a pain in the ass to have to submit my wife's fingerprints and mug shots along with mine for a trust transfer, it is easily accomplished. However, if I have to also acquire a CLEO certification it will certainly complicate NFA ownership options for many who wish to acquire certain NFA items via a Trust and possibly eradicate the option for many.
Additionally collectors may see their investments diminish in value. If the Trust/LLC option is removed then it stands to reason that demand for NFA items will also decrease because fewer people will be able to participate in the market.
Neither GRNC or NC NFA DA started this fight. It was the unintended consequence of the National Firearms Act Trade & Collectors Association lobbying ATF to completely remove the CLEO certification for individual Form 4 transfer applications. The NFA T&C Association was correct with their original petition that due to the availability of today's technology the background checks performed by federal law enforcement negated the need for local CLEO sign off - nor was it part of the 1934 NFA. However, given the current administration's desire to affect gun control they choose to go in the opposite direction and make requirements more onerous. Therefore GRNC, with the encouragement of the North Carolina NFA Defense Association issued the following alert.
I hope you will read it in its entirety and understand what GRNC is encouraging gun owners to comprehend.
Proposed ATF Trust/LLC Amendments
ATF Proposes Changes to Trust Transfers
Don’t let the Obama/Holder Administration Divide and Conquer Gun Owners!
The Obama/Holder administration is counting on gun owner apathy to allow proposed changes to Trust/LLC Transfers to go unchallenged. Don’t allow them to divide and conquer gun owners. It is more important now than ever for gun owners to stand united.
The proposed changes to Trust/LLC transfers will require a law enforcement certification when transferring any title II firearm into a Trust or LLC, this includes suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and machine guns eligible for civilian ownership. This means that if you want to purchase any title II firearm you will need to find a law enforcement official who is willing to provide you with their signature. Most are either too busy, unfamiliar with the law, or believe they will be held politically liable by the anti-gun media and therefore refuse to provide their signature. This is why trust transfers have increased in popularity during the past several years.
Now the current administration wants to make this alternative solution as onerous as individual transfers. While two of the three proposed provisions are acceptable to gun owners and the NFA community, the LE certification represents a total impasse. BATFE has proposed changes affecting NFA Trust Transfers that if enacted would require Trust and LLC Transfers to follow guidelines similar to individual transfers by requiring:
“The Department of Justice is proposing to amend the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) regarding the making or transferring of a firearm under the National Firearms Act. The proposed regulations would (1) add a definition for the term "responsible person"; (2) require each responsible person of a corporation, trust or legal entity to complete a specified form, and to submit photographs and fingerprints; and (3) modify the requirements regarding the certificate of the chief law enforcement officer (CLEO).”
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!
• Submit the Following: Go to the ATF comments section of their website, select comments, or paste the following hyperlink into your browser
http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=ATF-2013-0001-0001 and use the following comment:
In the matter of 27 CFR Part 479 docket number ATF 41P Part 479, RIN: 1140-AA43, Machine Guns, Destructive Devices and Certain Other Firearms; Background Checks for responsible Persons of a Corporation, Trust or Other Legal Entity With Respect to Making or transferring a Firearm.
We agree with the ATF proposal requiring fingerprints and mug shot of all adult applicants or responsible party of a trust or LLC acquiring NFA firearms. The above process would ensure that NFA firearms are not acquired by any prohibited person(s).
That being said, we are opposed to any expansion requirement mandating CLEO certification as outlined within the docket. The simple change in verbiage proposed by ATF, in our experience would not encourage CLEOs to process applicant paperwork; as there are too many perceived liabilities, political, and professional ramifications associated with NFA firearm acquisition. These perceptions have resulted in a measurable decrease of CLEO endorsed transfers, which has attributed to the explosive popularity of Trusts and LLC NFA applications.
The resources available to ATF/NFA including but not limiting to NCIC, TECS, NLETS, III, and NICBCS databases more than adequately ensure that all applicants are fully screened. If any CLEO involvement were required by ATF/NFA the only acceptable process should be CLEO notification post procurement.
This could be accomplished by requiring the successful application to provide the CLEO with a copy of the federal transfer paperwork, or by requiring the name and address of the CLEO being listed on the application form. This name and address would allow ATF/NFA to mail a copy of the applicant’s form to said applicants CLEO upon successful execution of the transfer.
) and clearing this up.
