Yesterday, HB 650 received its second hearing in the NC House Judiciary C Committee, with supporters and opponents falling along straight party lines.
Stalled by persistent questioning by anti-gun Democrats Joe Hackney (D- Chatham, Moore, Orange, GRNC 0-star), Verla Insko (D-Orange, 0-star), Jennifer Weiss (D-Wake, 0-star) and Pricey Harrison (D-Guilford, 0-star), the bill did not yet get a vote. Committee chairman Jonathan Rhyne (R-Lincoln, ****) promised a vote during the next committee meeting on Wednesday, June 1.
Amendments to the bill are flying fast and furious as various groups make requests of sponsors Mark Hilton, (R-Catawba, ****), Stephen LaRoque (R- Greene, Lenoir, Wayne, ****), George Cleveland (R-Onslow, ****) and Kelly Hastings (R- Cleveland, Gaston, ****). In its present form, some reductions in penalties for carriage on educational property have been eliminated, but provisions remain for keeping firearms in locked compartments, as well as requirements for prosecutors to prove that the gun was “willfully and intentionally” carried onto education property.
As an example of the time-delaying tactics used against HB 650 by the left, during discussion of a section to bring NC gun laws into compliance with federal law, Insko blurted out: “I don’t know what this means. Does this mean I can have anthrax in North Carolina?”
Meanwhile, Hackney harped on firearms within cars on private property (to which Hilton responded that private property rights do not reach into the vehicle of the gun owner); while Weiss continued to press on the provision permitting “firearm” purchases in non-contiguous states, focusing on how it might allow handgun purchasers to bypass NC law even after it was pointed out to her that interstate handgun purchases are impossible because they are prohibited by federal law.
IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED
CONTACT ALL MEMBERS of the NC House Judiciary C Committee. Thank Republicans for their support, but remind them you expect an expeditious vote on HB 650 to allow the bill to make the looming June 9 “crossover deadline.” Tell Democrats to stop stalling and bring the bill to the vote it deserves.
CONTACT YOUR NC HOUSE REP: In anticipation of the imminent vote on HB 650 before the full chamber of the NC House, tell your house rep to support HB 650 WITHOUT WEAKENING AMENDMENTS. To find your house rep, go to:
CONTACT THESE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
REPUBLICANS: Tim.Moore@ncleg.net, Johnathan.Rhyne@ncleg.net, Rayne.Brown@ncleg.net, George.Cleveland@ncleg.net, Jimmy.Dixon@ncleg.net, Jonathan.Jordan@ncleg.net
DEMOCRATS: Joe.Hackney@ncleg.net, Pricey.Harrison@ncleg.net, Verla.Insko@ncleg.net, Bert.Jones@ncleg.net, Annie.Mobley@ncleg.net, Jennifer.Weiss@ncleg.net
DELIVER THIS MESSAGE
REPUBLICANS
Dear Representative:
Thank you for your support of HB 650, “Amend Various Gun Laws.” It is vital that you continue to press this forward to meet the looming June 9 crossover deadline. This is a very important bill in its present form and one that you must carry forward to the goal line.
Keep up the good work and never let up the pressure. Don’t believe the lies and rigged polls from the opponents of freedom. I will be following the progress of this bill with great interest through the alerts of Grass Roots North Carolina.
Sincerely,
A Concerned North Carolina Voter
DEMOCRATS
Dear Representative:
It is vital to the safety and freedom of North Carolinians that you quit stalling and bring HB 650, “Amend Various Gun Laws” to a vote in House Judiciary Sub Committee C. I urge your SUPPORT of this important bill. Basically I am asking you to get out of the way of freedom.
I will be following the progress of this bill with great interest through the alerts of Grass Roots North Carolina. Sincerely,
A Concerned North Carolina Voter
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Contribute to the cause! Give generously to protect your rights.
http://grnc.org/join_grnc/contribute.htm
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You may find your NC STATE representative by going here:
http://www.grnc.org/contact_reps.htm
You may write your FEDERAL congressman by going here:
http://www.house.gov/writerep/
You may write your FEDERAL senators by going here:
http://www.senate.gov/
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Support these PRO RKBA merchants who, as GRNC sponsors, are supporting your Second Amendment rights:
Hyatt Gun Shop, 3332 Wilkinson Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28208, 704-394-0387, www.hyattguns.com
C & E Gun Shows, 4225 Fortress Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24060; Phone 540-953-0016 or 888-715-0606; http://www.cegunshows.com/
Dixie Gun and Knife Shows, PO Box 21049, Raleigh, NC 27619, ph: 919-781-1287, www.dixiegunandknifeshow.com/
Ryan & Nina Leonard, Down South Ammo, Home of “SOUTHERN THUNDER” Exploding Targets, http://downsouthammo.com/
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
The Aisle Pawn Shop, 216 N. Main St., Mooresville, NC 28115, 704-663-5656
Gunner’s Alley, LLC, 203 N. Harrison Ave., Ste. 130, Cary, NC 27513, www.gunnersalley.com, 919-388-1991, contact: Ed Guerriero, ed@gunnersalley.com
Patrick J. Phelan, Lake Norman Firearms, Inc., 20823 N. Main Street, Cornelius, NC 28031, www.lknfirearms.com, 704-892-7839
Vanguard Security Consulting, LLC, 19135 W. Catawba Ave, Cornelius, NC 28031
DoubleD Media, 8300 Raintree Lane, Charlotte, NC 28277, ph: 704-650-5555, fx: 704-544-0326, donna@doubledme.com