On Thursday, gun rights advocates from across the region joined GRNC at Raleigh’s State Legislature Mall to demand passage of HB746, the Omnibus Gun Bill.

This important bill, which finally permits Constitutional Carry – concealed carry by lawful citizens without a bureaucratic process or permit – is currently being denied an up or down vote by the Senate Rules Committee. Now is the time to pass this bill! Now is the time to demand that your senator get behind the bill in caucus and bring it to a successful veto proof vote!

House Members of the NC Legislature are clearly behind this common sense® bill – so where is Senate support for law abiding gun owners (the only people this bill affects)?

Squishy: Senate Republicans in Name Only
“Squish” the Magic RINO made it clear that gun owners across the state elected the Republican super-majority so that legislation like HB746 would be enacted quickly and without controversy. Instead, RINO leadership conveniently forgot who “brung ‘em to the dance.”

Bill sponsor, Representative Larry Pittman (R. Cabarrus) said, “People have the right to self-defense, therefore they have the right to keep and bear arms, therefore all these gun control laws we have to live with are violations of the Second Amendment... The basic point to me is, our founding fathers said 'shall not be infringed' and that's what they meant – and I think they would be literally up at arms today if they knew the kind of restrictions that are on the free carry of weapons.” 

Legislative Staff members gladly accepted stamp sized “Party Stickers” depicting Squish as they passed the GRNC Rally.

Coastal Representative and bill sponsor Michael Speciale (R. Beaufort, Craven, Pamlico) addressed the group saying, “Our rights come from God and this is what this is all about... it's about giving us back the rights that have been taken from us over decades. What's in this bill is going to put people back in the position where they can protect themselves, protect their lives... We worked hard to get this bill to the point it's at right now. We worked hard to get it through the House Caucus... and we're pushing to get it through the Senate. We're not done fighting yet! Back home you've got to stand up and defend it, because the last person that needs to be heard is you and I!”


During the rally, Squish the Magic RINO brought an eight foot rally banner demanding Senate passage of HB746 directly to Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger's (R. Guilford, Rockingham) well-guarded office. Held off by more armed security than you usually see in the Senate, Squish the Magic RINO rolled up the banner and handed it carefully through Senator Berger's door to quickly gathered staff blocking the entrance.

Equal Opportunity Goring
Most likely under orders from our gone-soft GOP friends, the Senate Sergeants at Arms and Capitol Police were standing closely by, clearly waiting for any opportunity, any excuse to expel the pro-Second Amendment citizens from the taxpayer-funded grounds. Of course, gun owners have proven to be the most peaceful, most law-abiding citizens anywhere, so there was no excuse for them to do so. That didn’t, however, stop them from trying to stop these peaceful citizens from trying to redress their elected servants.

In fact, the security was so tight around Senator Berger’s office, one wonders if there wasn’t a report that real live rhinoceroses were on the loose in the building. None of the security arrived with actual safari hats or elephant guns, but they were quick to remove any “genuine threats” from the building.

Yes, GA security removed an entire (peaceful and quite dumbfounded) family of six, including one very pregnant woman, and four young children, so they wouldn’t have the chance to voice their opinion on HB746 to Senate leaders. So, it seems gun owners of all ages and dispositions are getting the horn from the RINOs. That’s some equal opportunity goring right there. 

Ultimately
GRNC President Paul Valone ended the rally saying, “The bottom line is that we are telling the North Carolina Senate Leadership not to be RINOs, we have our new friend... “Squish the Magic RINO” who will be a prominent feature of GOP campaign events until such time that the General Assembly passes House Bill 746!”
 
To read media accounts of this event, visit one of the following links:
http://www.wral.com/rhinos-give-gun-rights-banner-to-senate-rino-berger/16857853/

http://www.wxii12.com/article/gun-rally-to-end-permits-for-conceal-weapons/11388278

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/under-the-dome/article165450067.html

• PHONE SENATOR BERGER and ask him why the NC Senate has gone soft on gun rights. Insist that he take action to get HB746 through the Senate and on to the Governor’s desk during this session. This is Senator Berger’s phone number: (919) 733-5708
  
  
• EMAIL SENATOR BERGER at: Phil.Berger@ncleg.net . Use the email text provided below under ‘Deliver This Message.’
  
  
• HELP GRNC PASS HB 746. We can’t advance gun rights without your help. CLICK HERE to contribute to GRNC, to help us pass this critical bill (or go to: https://www.grnc.org/join-grnc/contribute). 
  

Suggested Subject: "No More Complacency; Pass HB746 Now"  

Dear Senator Berger:

I am dismayed after learning that you and others in your party’s leadership, are refusing to advance Second Amendment rights in North Carolina. HB746 is an outstanding bill that would continue the trend of rights restoration for our state’s law-abiding citizens. Indeed, this bill is one of the very reasons that so many voters marched to the polls in recent years to give the GOP the supermajority it currently enjoys.

Unfortunately, it looks as though having a supermajority has done little more than cause you to become complacent, comfortable to simply sit back and enjoy the trappings of power. This will not do. You have clearly forgotten the voters, those who sent you to Raleigh to do a job, a job focused on reestablishing and protecting freedom, not the least of which is the citizens’ gun freedom.

One clear symptom of complacency is an apathy toward citizens who attempt to redress grievances with their government. And unfortunately, on Thursday, we saw an entire family of six, including a very pregnant woman and four young children ejected from the Legislative Building for the crime of attempting to discuss HB746 with Senate leaders. This is a serious problem, and just another indication that something is wrong.

Make no mistake, failure to pass HB746 during the session will have political consequences. Voters like me are prepared to run primaries against candidates disloyal to the Second Amendment, and therefore disloyal to gun owners. We are prepared to expend our time and our treasure to replace members who ignore the will of the people, and who refuse to fight for our rights.

Do the right thing: take steps to move HB746 out of committee and on to the governor’s desk immediately. Nothing less will be acceptable.

I will continue to monitor your actions on this issue through alerts from Grass Roots North Carolina.

Respectfully, 

Support these PRO RKBA merchants who, as GRNC sponsors, are supporting your Second Amendment rights:

2A Friendly & NCGunOwners.com, North Carolina's friendliest firearm smartphone app and web forum, working to promote gun ownership in NC www.NCGunOwners.com & 2AFriendly.com

37 Public Shooting Range & Gun Club, 1333 Loop Road, Bunnlevel, NC 28323, 910-893-9887, www.range37.com

C & E Gun Shows, 4225 Fortress Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24060; Phone 540-953-0016 or 888-715-0606; http://www.cegunshows.com/

Carolina Firearms Forum is a locally-owned forum that has made the commitment never to sell to anyone outside of the community and to push any profits back into the community. They offer a relaxed environment for discussion on a wide variety of topics with a focus on the Second Amendment... and our bacon is better.

Carolina Sporting Arms, The Carolinas' destination for quality firearms and exceptional customer service for over 20 years. We specialize in firearms and firearms-related products with unmatched expertise to help both beginners and experienced shooters find the right products to meet their needs. Charlotte's only Five-Star indoor range! - www.csaguns.com

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Dixie Deer Classic, www.dixiedeerclassic.org

Ed's Gun Shop, 5560 US 1 Hwy, Vass, NC 28394. 910-692-7936 (Phone) 910-692-4867 (Fax)

The Range at Lake Norman, 704-896-3155, www.therangeatlakenorman.com

Tigerswan Range Complex (TRC), World class outdoor shooting range that meets & exceeds the new Cumberland County range requirements. Built by former members of the elite "DELTA FORCE". 2850 Tigerswan Drive, Autryville, NC 28318. 910-208-4117 - http://tigerswan.com

Sterling Pistols, custom pistols, FFL transfers, general repairs, Glock enhancements, 704-840-7625

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Duncan Gun & Pawn, 414 Second St., North Wilkesboro, NC 28659, 336-667-6303, www.duncangun.com

Shooter's Express, 2 Caldwell Dr., Belmont, NC 28012, 800-358-GUNS, www.shootersexpress.com

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