Your immediate response is vital: Hearing for ban is this Monday (8/16)

GRNC recently warned of a spate of proposed county discharge bans which could largely end the ability of gun owners to shoot on private land. First was Guilford County which, after receiving hundreds of opposing emails and calls orchestrated by GRNC, rescinded their action, pleading they never intended to take away the rights of gun owners. (Yeah, right.)

Next seems to be Cabarrus County whose commissioners, having just months ago unanimously declared their county a Second Amendment sanctuary, have jumped on the discharge bandwagon.

The proposed Cabarrus ordinance would effectively require property owners wishing to shoot on their own property to get permission from neighbors if the neighbors have structures less than 500 feet from where the gun owner intends to shoot, regardless of whether the gun owner is shooting in a direction away from the adjoining property or has an adequate backstop. As a result, any property owner with less than several acres of land would be required to solicit permission from neighbors – something in the “NIMBY” (“not-in-my-backyard”) era of McMansions being built on farmland, is unlikely.

Equally unacceptable is the fact that only firing ranges meeting current Cabarrus ordinances would be exempt from the restrictions, meaning private or public ranges “grandfathered” in by our 1997 range protection statute would not be protected if they don’t meet current standards.

Regardless of whether you live in Cabarrus County, YOU need to make sure this proposal is stopped. As just one of several counties entertaining such proposals, Cabarrus represents another step down the “slippery slope” of statewide restrictions on shooting for recreation or training.

 IMMEDIATELY CALL AND EMAIL CABARRUS COMMISSIONERS: Using the email addresses and phone numbers below, let them know in no uncertain terms that you opposed their discharge ban.

ð      ATTEND THE PUBLIC HEARING: The public hearing for the ban is scheduled for 6:30 pm on Monday, August 16th in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, Cabarrus County Government Center, 65 Church Street SE, Concord, NC. Sign up to speak against efforts to impose new restrictions on the lawful discharge of firearms in Cabarrus County.

• PLEASE CONTRIBUTE TO GRNC: Help us fight gun control while we promote Second Amendment principles. Please CLICK HERE to contribute. Bear in mind that GRNC is an all-volunteer organization, so you can be sure your donations are put to the best possible use. Any amount helps, and any amount is appreciated.

Commissioners’ phone numbers:

• Steve Morris, Chairman                     704- 920-2214Barbara Strang, Commissioner           980- 680-5471
• Diane Honeycutt, Vice Chair               704- 920-2211

        Blake Kiger, Commissioner                704-920-2210 

        Lynn Shue, Commissioner                 704-920-2213          

Finally, Email the Commissioners using this block of “cut and paste” email addresses below:

smmorris@cabarruscounty.us;

drhoneycutt@cabarruscounty.us;

bstrang@cabarruscounty.us;

lwshue@cabarruscounty.us;

fbkiger@cabarruscounty.us;

SUGGESTED SUBJECT: Reject Cabarrus discharge ban

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 Suggested Message:

 Cabarrus County Commissioners:

 I strongly urge you to reject the proposed discharge ban scheduled for a hearing on Monday, August 16. Although only months ago Cabarrus County declared itself a Second Amendment sanctuary, this is not how such a sanctuary should be governed.

The proposed restrictions would require property owners wishing to shoot on their own land to obtain permission from NIMBY (“not-in-my-backyard”) types who build “McMansions” in the countryside, regardless if the property owners are shooting in the direction of adjoining properties and regardless of whether they have taken care to use proper backstops.

The proposal also fails to exempt older ranges which are “grandfathered” under our 1997 “Sport Shooting Range Protection Act” (N.C.G.S 14'409.46).

Certain commissioners are claiming the problems will be solved, but I will believe it when I see it. I will be monitoring your actions through Grass Roots North Carolina legislative alerts.

 I will be following this matter via GRNC Alerts.

Respectfully,