It's a new year and 2018 is brimming with possibility.  Republicans in the NC Senate have the opportunity to seize the high ground on gun rights. . . 

Could there be a better time than an election year for Senators in Raleigh to show voters where they stand on gun rights? The Senate's GOP leadership found themselves a bit passive last session, lagging well behind the NC House, as well as other states, on gun rights. This was unfortunate, but why dwell on the past? We at GRNC are looking ahead, and we are counting on the Senate to pass the Omnibus Gun Bill, HB 746 in 2018, bringing North Carolina gun laws to pace with so many other states. 

Platforms and Promises
Of course, Senate GOP leaders such as President Pro Tem Phil Berger, Majority Leader Harry Brown and Senator Bill Rabon, ought to be as excited about this as we are. We know this, because passing this bill would perfectly align with the party’s platform, which specifically includes support for constitutional carry, and gun rights in general (see page 12 within the link above). 

A party platform is essentially a promise to pursue certain goals and maintain certain principles, and Senator Berger put a fine point on this last June when he said, “The people of North Carolina expect their elected officials to keep their word.” Indeed we do expect our elected officials to keep their word, and that is why we are counting on Senate leadership to make this happen. 

An HB 746 Refresher

• Permitless Concealed carry is already the law in at least thirteen other states, and there has been no reported problems. Once again, the “blood in the streets” scenarios predicted by the anti-gun crowd have been proven to be nothing more than hyperbole, with no basis in reality; 

• Permitless open carry is already legal in our state. Plenty of law-abiding North Carolinians already carry a sidearm without a permit, and it’s perfectly legal. The only detail in question with this bill is whether or not it will be legal for these citizens to throw on their jackets—not quite the grave distinction the naysayers would have you believe;
  
  
• The bill removes the need to have a concealed handgun permit to carry a concealed handgun in restaurants, public assemblies, parades and funerals, and (with the same limitations as currently in law) onto educational properties; and
  
  
• It retains the current permit system, for those who wish to use it, for purposes of reciprocity with other states.

Help to Make This Bill Law
Below, see how you can easily contact Republicans in the NC Senate to insist they bring North Carolina's gun laws up to snuff. 

• EMAIL REPUBLICANS IN THE NC SENATE: Use the copy/paste email list below, and the copy/paste message provided under 'Deliver This Message.'
  
  
• PHONE SENATE LEADERS: Use the phone numbers provided below to phone the leaders and committee chairs who need to know that you’re watching, and that you expect them to make 2018 a great year for gun rights. Use the following text:
  

CONTACT INFO

Sen. Pres. Pro Tem Phil Berger: (919) 733-5708
Sen. Maj. Leader Harry Brown: (919) 715-3034
Senator Bill Rabon: (919) 733-5963
 
NC Senate Republicans copy/paste email *list(s):

John.Alexander@ncleg.net; Deanna.Ballard@ncleg.net; Chad.Barefoot@ncleg.net;  Dan.Barrett@ncleg.net; Tamara.Barringer@ncleg.net; Phil.Berger@ncleg.net; Dan.Bishop@ncleg.net; Danny.Britt@ncleg.net; Andrew.Brock@ncleg.net; Harry.Brown@ncleg.net; Bill.Cook@ncleg.net; David.Curtis@ncleg.net; Warren.Daniel@ncleg.net;
 
Jim.Davis@ncleg.net; Cathy.Dunn@ncleg.net; Chuck.Edwards@ncleg.net; Rick.Gunn@ncleg.net; Kathy.Harrington@ncleg.net; Ralph.Hise@ncleg.net; Rick.Horner@ncleg.net; Brent.Jackson@ncleg.net; Joyce.Krawiec@ncleg.net; Michael.Lee@ncleg.net; Tom.McInnis@ncleg.net;                      Wesley.Meredith@ncleg.net;
 
Paul.Newton@ncleg.net; Louis.Pate@ncleg.net; Ron.Rabin@ncleg.net; Bill.Rabon@ncleg.net; Shirley.Randleman@ncleg.net; Norman.Sanderson@ncleg.net; Jeff.Tarte@ncleg.net; Jerry.Tillman@ncleg.net; Tommy.Tucker@ncleg.net; Trudy.Wade@ncleg.net; Andy.Wells@ncleg.net
 

*Spam filters or email program limitations may cause the need to send more than one email, to cover the entire list of representatives. If so, the list above is split into three pieces, for your convenience.

Suggested Subject:
   "Pass Constitutional Carry for the New Year"  

Dear Senator: 
 
It was a disappointment that the NC Senate did not pass HB 746 in 2017. However, 2017 is behind us, and the new year is brimming with possibility. Therefore, it is with great optimism that I remind you that gun owners have not forgotten about Constitutional Carry. In fact, we are quite excited about the idea that the Senate will begin 2018 by seizing the high ground on gun rights. 

The fact is, very little would change in North Carolina should constitutional carry be established. Permitless open carry is already allowed in our state. Passing HB 746 would simply make it possible for those who open carry to throw on a jacket without becoming criminals.

 
Also, permitless concealed carry is already the law in at least thirteen other states—without reported problems. The doom and gloom that is always predicted by the anti-gun naysayers has once again shown to be hyperbole, with no basis in reality. North Carolina is lagging behind these other states on gun rights, but it doesn’t have to stay this way. 

I must insist that you do whatever it takes to move HB 746 out of committee and to the floor for a vote, and that you oppose any weakening amendments. Please encourage leadership and your other colleagues to do the same. Demand the opportunity to vote on this pro-gun bill, and then vote YES on HB 746. 

Do the right thing for gun rights this year. I will continue to monitor your actions on this matter through alerts from Grass Roots North Carolina. 
 
Respectfully, 

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