GRNC Alert 3 July 23: Pass ‘Freedom to Carry NC’ NOW!

As you may recall, HB 189 (“Freedom to Carry NC”) for permitless concealed carry is stalled in the NC House Rules Committee, having been withdrawn from a floor vote after the NRA opposed the bill. Having missed the legislative “crossover deadline,” the only way to revive the bill is to add a financial appropriation, which would make it immune from the crossover deadline. The bill’s primary sponsor, Rep. Keith Kidwell, has expressed willingness to do so. 

You helped us pass SB 41. Now help us pass permitless carry, eliminating the need for a governmental “permission slip” to exercise your Second Amendment rights. With recent passage in Florida and Nebraska, bringing permitless carry states to 27, NC is now among a minority still requiring governmental permits.

Important points on HB 189:

1. Reciprocity/NICS bypass: HB 189 leaves intact NC’s concealed handgun permit system in order to bypass NICS for gun purchases and to  ensure reciprocity with other states;
2. “Constitutional” carry? Although HB 189 is not a “pure” constitutional carry bill, since it offers permitless carry to those who don’t have offenses which would prevent them from getting a permit, it represents a giant step forward by eliminating the need for a concealed handgun permit and providing a base for future improvements.
3. Training: Although even some gun rights advocates have objected to the nominal training provision added as the Speaker’s condition for moving the bill, the training required does not create any central database of those who have taken it, may be conducted by NRA, USCCA, or an online NC course, and no proof of training needs to be carried. 

• CALL NC HOUSE SPEAKER TIM MOORE: Legislators will be out until 7/10, so be prepared to leave a message for Speaker Moore at 919-733-3451 politely telling him to move HB 189.  
• CONTACT REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP & RULES COMMITTEE REPUBLICANS:   Speaker Tim Moore (Cleveland, Rutherford) and Rules Chair Rep. Destin Hall (Caldwell, Watauga), and Rules Committee Republicans using the copy-and-paste list below.
  
• USE THIS COPY & PASTE CONTACT INFO:Tim.Moore@ncleg.gov; Destin.Hall@ncleg.gov; Kelly.Hastings@ncleg.gov; Brenden.Jones@ncleg.gov; John.Torbett@ncleg.gov; John.Bell@ncleg.gov; William.Brisson@ncleg.gov; Tricia.Cotham@ncleg.gov; Ted.Davis@ncleg.gov; Jimmy.Dixon@ncleg.gov; Kyle.Hall@ncleg.gov; Jon.Hardister@ncleg.gov; Neal.Jackson@ncleg.gov; Grey.Mills@ncleg.gov; Erin.Pare@ncleg.gov; Jason.Saine@ncleg.gov; Steve.Tyson@ncleg.gov; Donna.White@ncleg.gov;
• CALL YOUR NC HOUSE REP: q  To find your representative to the NC House, go to: ncleg.gov/FindYourLegislators

• 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.

Suggested Subject: “Pass constitutional carry now”

 Dear Representative:

With 27 states now having passed some form of permitless or “constitutional” concealed carry, North Carolina is now among a minority of states which still demand governmental permission for lawful citizens to protect themselves. None of those 27 states have reported problems resulting from adopting permitless carry of concealed firearms.

Accordingly, I am calling on you to move House Bill 189, “Freedom to Carry NC,” which would remove the need to concealed handgun permits for lawful North Carolinians. Although the legislative “crossover deadline” has passed, we both know that addition of a financial appropriation to the bill would make it eligible for consideration.

I strongly urge you to ensure passage of HB 189. I will be monitoring this issue through Grass Roots North Carolina legislative alerts.

Respectfully,

Down South Ammo, Home of “SOUTHERN THUNDER” Exploding Targets, http://downsouthammo.com/