GRNC Alert 9-14-13: Pitt Co. Proposes Recreational Complex Ban!

Leaders Stretch State Law to Breaking Point…

GRNC has learned from vigilant Pitt County supporters that an ordinance has been drafted that will prohibit firearms,

“…in the Pitt County Recreational Complex to the fullest extent permitted by State law”.

The “Complex” at issue is actually an expansive collection of ten separate facilities located within and around Greenville.

It may be the case that the County is proposing to prohibit to the “fullest extent permitted by State law” to disguise the fact that virtually no prohibition is possible under State law.

This misleading language appears designed to intimidate law-abiding gun owners into voluntarily disarming. Inappropriate suggestion of a complex-wide ban will confuse both citizens and law-enforcement officers. The apparent intentional drafting of an ordinance designed to confuse is unacceptable behavior on the part of officials elected to serve, and not to manipulate the public.

Only narrow, specific bans are permissible

While State law does permit the County to prohibit carry in buildings and very narrowly defined facilities during scheduled events, these must be “specifically identified by the unit of local government” (see GS-14-415.23, and the revised version that becomes effective October 1).

The proposed ban that generally applies to the entire ten-facility Complex clearly violates this specificity requirement. The proposed ordinance will confuse, likely by design, both citizens and law-enforcement officers by implying that carry is prohibited throughout the county’s recreational areas.

The purpose of the State Law is to provide statewide uniformity so that law-abiding permittees are not subject to a patchwork of confusing laws intended to discourage self-defense.

Apparently Pitt County has decided that statewide uniformity doesn’t apply to their Recreational Complex. They are mistaken. We need to help them realize their mistake before the ordinance is voted on.

Vote to be held Monday morning…

Further evidence for the nefarious nature of the proposed ordinance is the secretive manner in which it has been scheduled for a vote. The powers-that-be seem to already understand that their ban will be unpopular with constituents, and have attempted to schedule it in a manner designed to avoid public scrutiny.

In apparent attempt to “fly under the radar” the ban has been scheduled for a morning meeting vote this coming Monday, September 16 at 9:55 am. The meeting will be held in the Commissioners’ Auditorium, at the County Office Building, located at 1717 West 5th Street, Greenville NC.

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!

•    CONTACT COMMISSIONERS VIA EMAIL AND PHONE: Register your disappointment in their proposed violation of State law. See Message and Contact Information below.

•    ATTEND THE COMMISSIONERS’ MEETING THIS MONDAY: The meeting will be held in the Commissioners’ Auditorium, at the County Office Building, located at 1717 West 5th Street, Greenville NC. Ask to speak, if possible.

•    CONTRIBUTE TO CURRENT THE CURRENT MUNICIPAL LAWSUIT: Although this lawsuit involves Winston-Salem, understand that it will chart the course for actions by local governments around the state. It’s success will impact Pitt County. Help it succeed by making a tax deductible contribution by CLICKING HERE or going to: http://rightswatch.org/donate/donate

•    REPORT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS VIOLATING THE LAW: GRNC has set up a reporting form accessible by CLICKING HERE or going to: http://www.grnc.org/Report-Local-Government-Violations but please bear in mind that our volunteers can’t cover 100 counties, meaning it is likely you will be asked to act as a local coordinator for actions taken against local governments. YOU are the driving force that has expanded freedom in our State since 1995!

Contact Information

Commissioners Mark Owens (252-228-0075) and David Hammond (252-756-9639) do not provide email addresses, and so have earned phone calls. Please contact them (politely) by phone to register your opposition to the proposed ban.

For other Commissioners, use the cut-and-paste email list below:

garrisjimmy@yahoo.com; tcoulson@urethaneusa.com; BelvoirJ@embarqmail.com; thjohnson1304@suddenlink.net; king2006mac@yahoo.com; bwardelizabeth@gmail.com; glen.webb@ymail.com

DELIVER THIS MESSAGE   

Dear Pitt County Commissioner:

As a law-abiding North Carolina gun owner I am disappointed to learn of your intended proposed ban of lawful carry throughout the Pitt County Recreational Complex.

North Carolinians with handgun permits are among the most responsible citizens in our State and since 1995 we have shown ourselves to be safe, sane and sober. We deserve your respect and to be welcomed, not shunned.

Your proposal violates State law in it’s general, non-selective applicability across every facility in the Complex. You should know that State Law only permits bans within posted buildings and narrowly-defined athletic facilities while scheduled events are held.

As drafted, your ordinance will confuse both law-abiding gun owners and law-enforcement officers by implying that carry is restricted in places where it cannot be according to State law. Creation of this type of misleading ordinance is not the way in which elected leaders should represent constituents.

Complying with State law is as easy as not prohibiting lawful carry, and repealing bans that exist. I strongly recommend that you adopt this approach.

State law was intended to provide uniformity. Your proposal threatens that goal. It is bad policy, and I hope that you will take the appropriate action and vote against it. Our votes will follow yours.

I will be closely monitoring progress of this issue through Grass Roots North Carolina alerts.

Sincerely,    

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