Gun Rights Supporters:
It’s been a busy pandemic for GRNC. Earlier, I promised that Grass Roots North Carolina would be safeguarding gun rights during the coronavirus emergency. Please allow me to update you on our progress.
Building on previous success
Counties try to
take advantage of emergency
to curtail gun rights
- Sheriffs started restricting issuance of pistol purchase permits and concealed handgun permits; and
- Counties started closing gun shops as “non-essential.”
GRNC is ‘7 for 7’ against
anti-gun local governments
- GRNC sued Wake County Sheriff Gerald Baker: When Baker announced he was suspending issuance of purchase permits and concealed handgun permits, GRNC, together with the Firearms Policy Coalition and Second Amendment Foundations, filed suit in federal court on a variety of grounds. Baker is now under a consent order forcing him to start issuing permits again in a few days.
- GRNC threatened suit against Wake County: When Wake County issued a declaration effectively shutting down gun shops, GRNC and Gun Owners of America sent a “Fear of God” (“FOG”) letter to county commissioners. Although Chairman Greg Ford first scoffed at GRNC supporters who called him out, when he got the letter he immediately reversed course and followed the federal guidelines, immediately opening gun shops.
- GRNC threatened suit against Greensboro: Again joining GOA, GRNC issued a FOG letter to Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan, who had publicly announced gun stores would be closed. After getting the letter, Vaughan immediately (and tersely) responded that she had been “incorrect” in her gun-hating interpretation of Guilford County guidelines.
- GRNC threatened suit against Guilford County: After receiving the “FOG letter” from GRNC and GOA, Guilford County commissioners responded that they were following federal guidelines, and that gun shops would remain open.
- GRNC threatened suit against Orange County: After receiving the “FOG letter” from GRNC and GOA, Orange County commissioners responded that they were following federal guidelines, and that gun shops would remain open.
- GRNC threatened suit against Durham County: After receiving the “FOG letter” from GRNC and GOA, Durham County commissioners responded that they were following federal guidelines, and that gun shops would remain open.
- GRNC threatened suit against the City of Durham: Like Vaughan in Greensboro, City of Durham Mayor Stephen Schewel is a virulently anti-gun leftist. But in response to the GRNC/GOA FOG letter, even he backed down. Although he refused to make a public statement, effective April 4 at 5 PM, the city deferred to Durham County guidelines, leaving gun shops open. (I’m sure signing that order stuck in his craw.)
- Mecklenburg County, whose declaration appeared to keep firearm-related businesses open but where a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police representative was telling people on Facebook that gun shops had to close. When GRNC contacted the CMPD attorney, he removed the offending post; or
- Anti-gun Gov. Roy Cooper, who didn’t include gun businesses among “essential” businesses, but was smart enough to avoid getting sued by issuing “FAQs” that stipulated gun businesses could stay open provided they follow social distancing guidelines.
Please help make continued victory possible
Armatissimi e liberissimi,
F. Paul Valone
President, Grass Roots North Carolina
Executive Director, Rights Watch International
Radio host, Guns, Politics and Freedom
P.S. Believe me, I’ve watched my 401(k) evaporate with everyone else’s, and I know lots of people out of work. I know times are hard. But if you can contribute $100, $50 or even $25, we will use those precious funds to continue our string our victories in defending your rights.