NC Restaurant Carry & Park Carry THIS WEEK

Email sent

Email sent. Thanks for making that easy. I called the office offices of my reps last week to encourage passage of bill.

I got the same response from Rapp, and shot back a question asking what "tweaking" he felt needed to be done but have yet to hear back. Any idea what day the bill will be voted on?

I got the same response from Rapp as well.

Daughter and SIL live in NC.
They have it covered.
NC can be a royal pain to carry in.

AFS

I got that same response from Rapp, and also replied with a nicely-worded request for more details. I don't expect to hear back.


Thanks for keeping us up to date.

I just sent this email to Rep Rapp:
Representative Rapp:

I would like to know what sort of "tweaking" you feel House Bill 111 needs before it should be adopted. In my opinion, this is simply an excellent bill that would allow law abiding concealed handgun permitees of this state to protect themselves in areas that the current law sadly prohibits for no logical reason. This bill will not change the fact that concealed hundgun permitees may not consume any alcohol while carrying a concealed hundgun.

Concealed hangun permitees in this state have proven themselves over the years since North Carolina adopted the concealed hangun permit program to be sane, sober, and law abiding. How so? Since North Carolina began issuing Concealed Carry Permits in 1995, roughly 300,000 have been issued. Less than 1,000 have been revoked. That's 0.33%. Compare that to the rest of the population and you will see that permit holders are an upstanding group.

Gun-free zones only prevent law abiding citizens from protecting themselves from criminals who, by definition, choose to disobey the law.

This is why I feel House Bill 111 needs to be adopted. I respectfully request that you share with my why you feel it needs some "tweaking." Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
dcdub

I hope to hear back. I feel like I was pretty polite and deserve a reply. I wish these people, especially Ross, would take a few minutes to logically ponder over why they are anti-gun and maybe then they would see that they're just acting on emotion. I know I personally try to view things from both side of the fence, but I really can't see anything wrong with this bill at all, or how anyone could.

1,000 out of 300,000 is actually 0.33%, but other than that good letter. I wouldn't necessarily hold my breath waiting on a reply, but filling up their inboxes seems to be having an effect.

I said we were law abiding, not good at math! Darn you decimal! :banghead:

Has there been any action on this bill the past week?

I haven't heard anything from GRNC this week about HB111

Update from GRNC last night

______________________________

Grass Roots North Carolina, P.O. Box 10665, Raleigh, NC 27605

919-664-8565, www.grnc.org

, GRNC Alert Hotline: (919) 562-4137


GRNC Alert 3-19-11:
CCW in Parks & Restaurants Vote Needs a Push
In This Issue
HB 111
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HB 111

Act now to push NC House passage of HB 111: "Concealed Handgun Permit Valid in Parks & Restaurants." This bill has been delayed by concerns of a few in the Republican caucus but could be voted on as early as Wednesday. The Republicans list below need to hear from you, not only to lead them to support the bill, but to remove the 'poison pill' Ross amendment under which restaurant servers could ask anyone served alcohol whether they are carrying firearms.
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED

* CALL & E-MAIL each of the legislators below, especially if you live in the district, using the tailored messages below. To find your district, go to: http://www.grnc.org/contact_reps.htm


* CALL YOUR OWN NC HOUSE REP: Do so even if you know he supports the bill, telling him to support removing the weakening Ross amendment and to oppose any other weakening amendments proposed for the bill. Again, find out who represents you in the NC House by going to: http://www.grnc.org/contact_reps.htm


* USE AUTOMATED E-MAIL FOR SWING VOTERS: If you have not already used GRNC's automated e-mailer to contact swing voters in the House, go to: http://grnc.org/alerts/email3_13_11.htm#Please


Deliver These Messages


Below are tailored messages and contact information for three members of the Republican caucus who have expressed reservations about the bill.

MAJORITY LEADER PAUL STAM (again)

NC House 37, R-Wake

919-733-2962, [email protected]

That's right, word has it that Republican HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER PAUL STAM

is once again acting as an obstacle to passing pro-gun legislation. Let him know in no uncertain terms that you didn't elect Republicans to undermine your rights, and that you will remember his consistent opposition to Second Amendment interests. We have not included a sample letter because we want him to hear directly from voters.

* CALL STAM BETWEEN 10:00 AND 12:OO ON MONDAY, March 21 at 919-733-2962. If you miss that time block, call him whenever you can. While you're at it, e-mail him at: [email protected]

REP. DAVID GUICE (pronounced "Gice")

NC House 113, R-Henderson, Polk, Transylvania

919-715-4466, [email protected]

Sample message:

Dear Representative Guice:

Your concerns about misbehavior by concealed handgun permit-holders at kids' sporting events held within public parks are misplaced. For sixteen years, permit-holders have proven themselves sane, sober and law-abiding; according to the State Bureau of Investigation, of 336,743 concealed handgun permits approved, only 1,007 (0.29% or less than 1/3 of a single percent) have been revoked - most for reasons unrelated to firearms. Gun-related crimes by permit-holders are all but unheard of.

Meanwhile, crime in ostensibly "gun free" zones such as municipal and state parks has skyrocketed, with rape, murder and assault becoming routine. I strongly urge you to enable lawful North Carolinians to protect their families in restaurants and parks by supporting HB 111 in its strongest possible form. I will be monitoring your actions via Grass Roots North Carolina legislative alerts.


Respectfully,

---------------------------------

Rep. Jamie Boles

NC House 52, R-Moore

919-733-5903, [email protected]

Dear Representative Boles:

Your concerns about misbehavior by concealed handgun permit-holders at kids' sporting events held within public parks are misplaced. For sixteen years, permit-holders have proven themselves sane, sober and law-abiding; according to the State Bureau of Investigation, of 336,743 concealed handgun permits approved, only 1,007 (0.29% or less than 1/3 of a single percent) have been revoked - most for reasons unrelated to firearms. Gun-related crimes by permit-holders are all but unheard of.

Meanwhile, crime in ostensibly "gun free" zones such as municipal and state parks has skyrocketed, with rape, murder and assault becoming routine. I strongly urge you to enable lawful North Carolinians to protect their families in restaurants and parks by supporting HB 111 in its strongest possible form. I will be monitoring your actions via Grass Roots North Carolina legislative alerts.

Respectfully,

I thought that 0.29% was on the very high side. Then I noticed that most (nearly all?) revocations are for gun unrelated crimes. What might be included?? who knows.

Most states the gun related are a few thousands of a per cent. I guess yours fall into that range.


Life long residents of North Carolina didn’t seem to mind the system and actually defended it.
Copied from a post here..
Here in MI we have handgun registration that no one seems to mind?? and purchase permits for non CPL holders. THe law specifically says there will be no charge for a purchase permit. Some sleazy sheriff/police depts (the law upholders) charge for the notary of your sig on the permit. Knowing shooters just tell em "NO, Ill get it notarized elsewhere" unknowing pay em the $5.

Just got this from NRA
North Carolina: Tomorrow’s Expected Consideration of an Anti-Gun Amendment Threatens Right-to-Carry Reform Bill!
Please Contact Your State Representative TODAY!

Tomorrow, March 23, a critical pro-gun reform bill is facing the threat of being watered down on the floor of the state House of Representatives and needs your immediate help. Introduced by state Representatives Mark Hilton (R-96), Jeff Barnhart (R-82), Fred Steen (R-76), and Kelly Hastings (R-110), House Bill 111 would remove the prohibition on Right-to-Carry permit holders from carrying firearms into restaurants that serve alcohol. It would also remove the ability of local governments to prohibit the lawful carrying of firearms by permit holders into parks.

It is this second provision that is currently under attack. An amendment may be proposed tomorrow that would prohibit permit holders from carrying firearms into any park that has ball fields and/or playgrounds. There may be other provisions, but the proposed amendment has yet to be received by the bill sponsors or NRA for consideration. Such restrictions are clearly based on anti-gun emotional arguments, and must be opposed.

The NRA is also currently working with state Representative Leo Daughtry (R-26) to remove divisive language added in an attempt to sabotage the bill. H 111 was previously amended in subcommittee with language to allow servers in restaurants to ask patrons who order an alcoholic beverage whether they are carrying a concealed firearm. This amendment was proposed by state Representative Debra Ross (D-38), one of the most virulently anti-gun legislators in the General Assembly. The Ross Amendment was clearly intended as a “poison pill,” and was designed to create opposition to the bill. Nothing in the current law or in H 111 would require a permittee to answer the server. However, restaurant owners may have concerns regarding potential liability should they choose to not harass their patrons with intrusive personal questions.

Please contact your state Representative TODAY and urge him or her to support H 111 after the removal the of Ross amendment and without any other anti-gun amendments. To locate your state Representative and find their contact information, please click here.

Update from GRNC
________________________________

Grass Roots North Carolina, P.O. Box 10665, Raleigh, NC 27605
919-664-8565, www.grnc.org, GRNC Alert Hotline: (919) 562-4137

GRNC Alert 3-18-11: CCW in Parks & Restaurants-Keep Pushing

In This Issue
HB 111 - 3 Things
New talking points
GRNC GETS A NEW ALLY
A final note
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HB 111 - 3 Things
HB 111 would enable concealed handgun permit-holders to protect themselves in restaurants, and in both municipal and state parks.

NC House members need to hear from you ASAP: Even if you have already contacted them, do so again. There are still a few problems getting the Republican caucus to hang together.

They need instructions from you to do 3 things:
Vote for final passage of HB 111;
Vote for an amendment to be offered which will remove the "Ross Amendment" which Deborah Ross used to try to get the NC Restaurant & Lodging Association to oppose the bill (she failed); and
Oppose any and all weakening amendments made to the bill, including a plan reportedly afoot to carve out a "gun free" zone at any sporting event (e.g. Little League games) held within public parks.

New suggested talking points:
NC concealed carry has reduced violent crime: Since 1995, when our concealed carry law passed, the rate of overall NC crime has dropped by 27.7%, while the rate of violent crime dropped by a whopping 37.1%. This mirrors the study by John Lott and David Mustard which found that concealed handgun laws deter murder, rape, and aggravated assault.
State parks have not seen the same drop: An extrapolation of partial data for the same years estimates only an 8.9% drop in crime within state parks. Although crime in municipal parks is not tracked, news accounts and the urban location of many suggest that crime is actually increasing in these "victim disarmament zones." HB 111 will not only benefit permit-holders, it will deter violent crime.
NC permit-holders are overwhelmingly responsible: Of 336,743 concealed handgun permits approved since 1995, only 1007 have been revoked for any reason (that's less than a third of one percent, or 0.29%). Although the SBI doesn't keep reasons for revocation, other states' experience suggests that few of those revocations are for misuse of firearms.


IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED

CALL YOUR OWN NC HOUSE REP: Do so even if you know he or she supports the bill, telling them to support removing the weakening Ross amendment and to oppose any other weakening amendments proposed for the bill. Again, find out who represents you in the NC House by going to: http://www.grnc.org/contact_reps.htm

GRNC GETS A NEW ALLY
National concealed carry advocate Nikki Goeser has been kind enough to write the following letter, relayed by GRNC president Paul Valone today to the entire NC House of Representatives. Nikki's husband, Ben, was murdered by a stalker in a crowded restaurant where Nikki - a concealed handgun permit-holder - had been prohibited from protecting herself and her husband.

Sent to the NC House today:

To: Members of the North Carolina House of Representatives
From: F. Paul Valone, President, Grass Roots North Carolina
Re: House Bill 111: "Handgun Permit Valid in Parks & Restaurants"
Some have asked whether North Carolina has a "need" for HB 111: "Handgun Permit Valid in Parks & Restaurants." Few could answer the question as eloquently as Nicole Renee Goeser, whose husband was murdered in front of her by a stalker in a busy Tennessee restaurant. She sent me the letter below just today.
--------------------------------------------------
Why is Restaurant Carry needed?
My husband, Ben, was brutally murdered right in front of me on the night of April 2, 2009 by a man who had been stalking me. Ben was shot six times, at close range, in the middle of a busy restaurant in the Nashville, TN area. There were over 50 people in the restaurant that night who all helplessly watched with me. At the time, Tennessee State Law said no one who has passed a background check, had their finger prints taken and gone through proper state certified training could carry their permitted gun for self defense in any establishment that serves alcohol. I am a right to carry permit holder but because of my respect for the law, I left my permitted gun locked in my vehicle that night.
My husband bought me my Smith & Wesson .38 revolver for self-defense and that gun should have been used to save his life. At the time, I had gone through a permit course, intermediate course, shooting competitions and I was a range volunteer. I will never know now if I could have saved Ben. But I was denied the chance. I was legislated out of my right to defend my husband. I stood in disbelief and complete helplessness as my stalker took the man I chose to spend the rest of my life with away from me. Unlike the people who blame the gun when their loved one is taken by gun violence, I blame the man behind the gun and the naïve belief that gun bans will be obeyed by criminals.
Never underestimate the intelligence of a criminal. I am positive my stalker knew he could carry out a killing with no resistance because he knew nobody in the restaurant could stop him. We were sitting ducks.
I would like to point out that the man who killed Ben did NOT have a handgun carry permit and was carrying his gun illegally. The Law did nothing to stop him from carrying his illegal gun into that restaurant. The law did stop me, by drawing an invisible line for me at that front doorstep. The penalties for a law-abiding citizen are much greater than for a criminal. The law does not even cause a bad guy to blink. Laws are made for the law abiding. As the law stood, it kept law-abiding citizens from having the ability to defend themselves and their loved ones in a nightmare scenario which my husband and I found ourselves in. This law did not faze my stalker and he now sits in a prison awaiting his "fair trial" for a murder he carried out almost 2 years ago. I still wait for some small crumb of justice for my husband to this day. I know that this story must seem unreal. I wish it were not real. Unfortunately, it is my reality and I hope you can learn something from it.
The Restaurant Carry Bill only allows citizens who have a carry permit to carry in these establishments. Just as your existing carry law now states, you cannot be under the influence of alcohol or drugs and have your gun in your possession. Nothing will change regarding this. This law is already in place and will apply with restaurant carry as well. It's not the good guys that you should fear. Just 0.3% of North Carolina's permit holders from December 1, 1995 to December 31, 2008 have ever had their permit revoked for any reason. Large counties such as Mecklenburg and Wake with the most revocations can't point to even one revocation resulting from the improper use of a gun.

These are extremely law-abiding people who simply want the ability to protect themselves and their families wherever they have a right to be. This should hold true for restaurants that happen to also sell alcohol. Evil does not stop at the doorstep of a Ruby Tuesday, Olive Garden or Logan's Steakhouse. Take it from someone who has lived it. Extreme Violence can occur anywhere and at anytime. When seconds count, the police are minutes away. I can promise you that. I have been there.

Nicole Renee Goeser
Address withheld by request
To speak with Ms. Goeser, please contact
GRNC President Paul Valone at [email protected]

Just in from NRA-ILA. Vote is now postponed until March 29. Same troubles unresolved.

GRNC Update - going to 3rd reading today1

________________________________

Grass Roots North Carolina, P.O. Box 10665, Raleigh, NC 27605
919-664-8565, www.grnc.org, GRNC Alert Hotline: (919) 562-4137

GRNC Alert 3-30-11: GRNC Let's You Be Heard Again!

In This Issue
Your Voice Regained
HB 111 - 3rd Reading
Immediate Action
Deliver This Message
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Your Voice Regained
AUTO EMAIL WORKING AGAIN

http://grnc.info/email.htm

As noted in our previous alert, the NC General Assembly in an attempt to silence you has attempted to block GRNC's auto-emailer which makes it more convenient for you to contact all members of the GA. Well, they may have thought that was the rest of the story, but their technical victory is short lived. GRNC's technical team has overcome this and allows you to roar once again. Email them once again using our auto-emailer to let them know they didn't win this round: http://grnc.info/email.htm

HB 111 - 3rd Reading
Sponsored by Reps. Mark Hilton, Jeff Barnhart, Fred Steen and Kelly Hastings, HB 111, "Handgun Permit Valid in Parks & Restaurants," would enable concealed handgun permit-holders to protect themselves in restaurants, and in both municipal and state parks.

Today, HB 111 passed 2nd Reading in the NC House, and will receive 3rd Reading tomorrow. The battle is far from over, however, because not only was a weakening amendment hung on the bill, more are planned tomorrow. Speaking eloquently in favor of the bill were Reps. Hilton, Barnhart, George Cleveland, Leo Daughtry, Glen Bradley, Jonathan Jordan, Bert Jones, Kelly Hastings, and Justin Burr.

Speaking against the bill (or in favor of weakening it) were Reps. Deborah Ross, David Guice (who said he supported the bill, but weakened it as below), Darren Jackson, Bill McGee, Bill Faison, Garland Pierce, and Earline Parmon.

THE GOOD NEWS

The Ross Amendment, which would have induced restaurant servers to ask patrons whether they were carrying firearms, was removed by an amendment made by Daughtry in a 72-46 vote, despite impassioned pleas by Ross to keep it.

THE BAD NEWS

Guice's amendment to allow municipalities to exempt any park which contains a playground, athletic field, swimming pool or other facility passed in a 70-48 vote, with a number of Republicans supporting the amendment. Speaking eloquently against it were pro-gun Reps. Cleveland, Jordan and Jones. GRNC will endeavor to remove this language as the bill moves to the Senate.

OTHER GOOD NEWS

A proposed amendment by Faison to exempt all state parks without camping facilities failed in a 44-74 vote.

MORE NOT-SO-GOOD NEWS: ACT NOW!

Although bills are not generally amended on 3rd Reading, several anti-gun amendments were mentioned for HB 111 in its 3rd Reading TOMORROW. You must act immediately to avoid having anti-gun Democrats and mediocre Republicans turn this bill into something worthless!


IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED

Contact
Use GRNC's adapted new auto-emailer to send this message to all members of the NC House: http://grnc.info/email.htm
CALL YOUR OWN NC HOUSE REP: Do so even if you know he or she supports the bill, telling them to oppose any other weakening amendments proposed for the bill. Again, find out who represents you in the NC House by going to: http://www.grnc.org/contact_reps.htm

Deliver This Message
Dear Representative:

With respect to HB 111: "Handgun Permit Valid in Parks & Restaurants": Today we heard North Carolina's 337,000 concealed handgun permit-holders - who've proven themselves sane, sober and law-abiding for 16 years - painted as dangerous hazards at Little League games. Beyond the legitimate point raise today that such has never happened, my question is this:

WHY DON'T OUR CHILDREN DESERVE PROTECTION IN PUBLIC PARKS?

Controlled, multi-variate studies have demonstrated that predators are drawn to what can only be described as "victim disarmament zones," yet the NC House continues to debate adding such zones, potentially even adding to those zones via amendments to Third Reading on the bill.

Children deserve protection too, and any further attempt to weaken HB 111 will be punished at the ballot box; of that, I can assure you.

I will continue to monitor your actions via Grass Roots North Carolina legislative alerts.

Respectfully,