DMK
Member
RECIPROCITY GETS HEARING--ACT NOW!
[Analysis] SB 33: “Concealed Handguns/Reciprocity,†is scheduled for a hearing in the NC Senate J-II Committee on Tuesday morning, March 11, at 10:00 AM. The prompt hearing may confirm hopes that a reciprocity bill would be dealt with fairly by a North Carolina Senate which has a stronger pro-gun representation than in past sessions. Any optimism should be cautious, however, because virtually no weakening amendments would be acceptable for the bill.
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED
USE GRNC’S AUTOMATED E-MAIL to contact J-II Committee members. By going to http://www.grnc.org/alerts/email_3_8_03.htm, in minutes you can quickly and easily send e-mail to all 17 members of the committee.
CALL “SWING VOTERS,†particularly if you live in the member’s district. Swing voters are listed below; some are “fence-sitters†on the gun issue, some are freshmen whose stance on gun issues is unknown. Immediately CALL these house reps and politely urge them to support SB 33 in its present form, without weakening amendments. If you leave them voice mail, please leave your name and at least a phone number.
ATTEND THE COMMITTEE MEETING. The Senate Judiciary II Committee meets at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, March 11 in Legislative Building room 1124. The Legislative Building is located at 16 W. Jones St. (919-733-7928) in Raleigh, across the street from the NC Museum of Natural History. Demonstrate your support for the concealed handgun law: Be there!
DELIVER THIS MESSAGE
Dear Representative:
I strongly urge you to support SB 33: “Concealed Handguns/Reciprocity,†under consideration in the Senate Judiciary II Committee.
As in thirty-two other states with concealed handgun laws, North Carolina’s has been a resounding success. With fewer than 0.3% of permits revoked for any reason (the vast majority for reasons unrelated to firearms), even the state’s primary gun control organization, North Carolinians Against Gun Violence, has called it a “good law.†Elsewhere, an early report issued by the state found instances in which concealed handgun permit-holders were able to prevent violent crime. Not only have the “wild west†scenarios envisioned by concealed handgun opponents failed to materialize, objective research reveals that states with concealed handgun laws experience reductions in rape (5%), murder (8.5%) and aggravated assault (7%).
By requiring the North Carolina Attorney General to establish reciprocal agreements with other states, SB 33 will enable North Carolinians who have proven themselves sane, sober and law-abiding to protect themselves and their families while traveling elsewhere. It will particularly benefit North Carolinians who work in adjacent states such as South Carolina, which will recognize our permits once we recognize theirs.
Contrary to popular misconceptions, SB 33 will establish reciprocal agreements only with states whose issuing standards mirror those of North Carolinaextensive criminal background checks and a firearms safety and training course. Indeed, by providing additional motivation to take the safety course, SB 33 may reduce already low rates of gun-related accidents. To be effective, SB 33 must pass in its present form, without weakening amendments. At your earliest convenience, please advise me of your position on this issue.
Respectfully yours,
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CONTACT THESE ‘SWING VOTERS’
(All phone numbers are area code 919)
Sen. Walter Dalton (D-Rutherford), (919) 715-3038
Sen. Robert Holloman (D-Hertford), (919) 715-3032
Sen. John Kerr (D-Wayne), (919) 733-5621
Sen. Tony Moore (D-Pitt), (919) 715-8363
Sen. Joe Sam Queen (D-Haywood), (919) 733-3460
CONTACT THESE ANTI-GUNNERS
(Time permitting)
Sen. Katie Dorsett (D-Guilford), (336) 275-0628
Sen. Kay Hagan (D-Guilford), (919) 733-5856
Sen. Ellie Kinnaird (D-Orange), (919) 929-1607
Grass Roots North Carolina, P.O. Box 10684, Raleigh, NC 27605
919-664-8565, www.grnc.org GRNC Alert Hotline: (919) 562-4137
GRNC Alert 3-8-03:
[Analysis] SB 33: “Concealed Handguns/Reciprocity,†is scheduled for a hearing in the NC Senate J-II Committee on Tuesday morning, March 11, at 10:00 AM. The prompt hearing may confirm hopes that a reciprocity bill would be dealt with fairly by a North Carolina Senate which has a stronger pro-gun representation than in past sessions. Any optimism should be cautious, however, because virtually no weakening amendments would be acceptable for the bill.
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED
USE GRNC’S AUTOMATED E-MAIL to contact J-II Committee members. By going to http://www.grnc.org/alerts/email_3_8_03.htm, in minutes you can quickly and easily send e-mail to all 17 members of the committee.
CALL “SWING VOTERS,†particularly if you live in the member’s district. Swing voters are listed below; some are “fence-sitters†on the gun issue, some are freshmen whose stance on gun issues is unknown. Immediately CALL these house reps and politely urge them to support SB 33 in its present form, without weakening amendments. If you leave them voice mail, please leave your name and at least a phone number.
ATTEND THE COMMITTEE MEETING. The Senate Judiciary II Committee meets at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, March 11 in Legislative Building room 1124. The Legislative Building is located at 16 W. Jones St. (919-733-7928) in Raleigh, across the street from the NC Museum of Natural History. Demonstrate your support for the concealed handgun law: Be there!
DELIVER THIS MESSAGE
Dear Representative:
I strongly urge you to support SB 33: “Concealed Handguns/Reciprocity,†under consideration in the Senate Judiciary II Committee.
As in thirty-two other states with concealed handgun laws, North Carolina’s has been a resounding success. With fewer than 0.3% of permits revoked for any reason (the vast majority for reasons unrelated to firearms), even the state’s primary gun control organization, North Carolinians Against Gun Violence, has called it a “good law.†Elsewhere, an early report issued by the state found instances in which concealed handgun permit-holders were able to prevent violent crime. Not only have the “wild west†scenarios envisioned by concealed handgun opponents failed to materialize, objective research reveals that states with concealed handgun laws experience reductions in rape (5%), murder (8.5%) and aggravated assault (7%).
By requiring the North Carolina Attorney General to establish reciprocal agreements with other states, SB 33 will enable North Carolinians who have proven themselves sane, sober and law-abiding to protect themselves and their families while traveling elsewhere. It will particularly benefit North Carolinians who work in adjacent states such as South Carolina, which will recognize our permits once we recognize theirs.
Contrary to popular misconceptions, SB 33 will establish reciprocal agreements only with states whose issuing standards mirror those of North Carolinaextensive criminal background checks and a firearms safety and training course. Indeed, by providing additional motivation to take the safety course, SB 33 may reduce already low rates of gun-related accidents. To be effective, SB 33 must pass in its present form, without weakening amendments. At your earliest convenience, please advise me of your position on this issue.
Respectfully yours,
--------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTACT THESE ‘SWING VOTERS’
(All phone numbers are area code 919)
Sen. Walter Dalton (D-Rutherford), (919) 715-3038
Sen. Robert Holloman (D-Hertford), (919) 715-3032
Sen. John Kerr (D-Wayne), (919) 733-5621
Sen. Tony Moore (D-Pitt), (919) 715-8363
Sen. Joe Sam Queen (D-Haywood), (919) 733-3460
CONTACT THESE ANTI-GUNNERS
(Time permitting)
Sen. Katie Dorsett (D-Guilford), (336) 275-0628
Sen. Kay Hagan (D-Guilford), (919) 733-5856
Sen. Ellie Kinnaird (D-Orange), (919) 929-1607
Grass Roots North Carolina, P.O. Box 10684, Raleigh, NC 27605
919-664-8565, www.grnc.org GRNC Alert Hotline: (919) 562-4137
GRNC Alert 3-8-03: