GRNC Alert 3-11-12: Victory in Gastonia! Vigil in Scotland County

Grass Roots North Carolina, P.O. Box 10665, Raleigh, NC 27605, 919-664-8565, www.GRNC.org

GRNC Alert 3-11-12
Victory in Gastonia! Vigil in Scotland County

Gastonia Respects Gun Owners' Rights

Gastonia residents have cause for pride in most of their local politicians this week. The Gastonia City Council voted 6-1 in favor of respecting your right to self protection with only Councilman Dave Kirlin opposing your rights. This display of political courage comes in spite of a 5-0 anti-freedom recommendation from the Gastonia Recreation Advisory Commission. Give them a hand!

Scotland County Commissioners Buying Time

As we have told you, the Scotland County Parks and Recreation Committee recommended restrictions to your concealed carry and self-defense rights to the full extent allowable under the new law. The Board of Commissioners policy subcommittee then voted 2-1 to recommend such an ordinance restricting your concealed carry and self-defense rights. On March 5, however; the Scotland County Board of Commissioners chose to table a proposed restrictive concealed carry parks ordinance. This is apparently in reaction to the pushback from you the people on the matter. As Board Chairman Bob Davis noted: the proposed ordinance "has been cussed and discussed" by the public. Congratulations, your efforts are being notice, but don't relax yet.

Board of Commissioners next steps

The board has asked the county attorney and the county manager to work on a very specific restrictive ordinance for the board to review at the April meeting. We believe the board will review the proposed ordinance at the April 2 meeting, possibly expose the ordinance to public comment at the May 7 meeting, and then vote on the ordinance at the June 4 meeting. However, this possible chain of events could change any time. In the meantime, the ordinance could die due to lack of support, and GRNC hopes this is the case. But, as you know, hope is not a strategy. Therefore, your continued diligence will be essential to ensuring Scotland County parks do not become criminals-only gun zones.

Your next steps

GRNC understands there is support amongst the commissioners for not restricting concealed carry in parks at all. Commissioner Alford, for example, has already expressed his opposition to concealed carry restrictions during the policy committee meeting. Be sure to thank him for his wise position. However, if a vote is required, the outcome could come down to one vote. Let's ensure any vote protects the right to self-defense. You must now continue reminding the board that the people oppose any such restrictions on concealed carry in parks or elsewhere.

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED:

* Contact Gastonia Mayor John Bridgeman at mayorb@cityofgastonia.com. Let him know you applaud the city council's decision.

Scotland County:
* Attend the April 2, May 7, and June 4 commission meetings. This small investment of time is vital to protect your 2nd amendment rights. If you don't participate in the process, those opposed to your rights will. Meetings begin at 7:00 pm and are held at the Scotland County A. B. Gibson Center Board Room, 322 S. Main Street, Laurinburg. Plan to pack the room for each meeting.
* Contact the following county commissioners and others to thank Commissioner Alford for his public position, and to acknowledge the tabling of the bad ordinance.
- Bob Davis, Chairman; rfcd@windstream.net
- Joyce McDow, Vice Chair; jmcdow@scotlandcounty.org
- John T. Alford; jalford@scotlandcounty.org
- John Cooley; jcooley@scotlandcounty.org
- Carol McCall; cmccall@scotlandcounty.org
- Guy McCook; gmccook@hastyrealty.com
- Clarence McPhatter II; mcphatterfh@windstream.net
- Kevin Patterson, County Manager; kpatterson@scotlandcounty.org
- Ann W. Kurtzman, Clerk to the Board; akurtzman@scotlandcounty.org
- Edward H. Johnson, County Attorney, 303 Atkinson Street, Laurinburg, NC 28352

Dear Commissioner:

I am writing in appreciation of Commissioner Alford's respect of the rights of free Americans and ask you to do likewise. You have wisely tabled the bad ordinance disrespecting the right of self defense. I am asking you to dismiss this anti-freedom measure entirely.

I will be watching the progress of this matter through Grass Roots North Carolina.

Sincerely,

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(c) 2011 GRNCFFE, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction and distribution is permitted provided full attribution is given and the item is reprinted in its entirety. Address questions to: President@GRNC.org
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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
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
Sterling Pistols, custom pistols, FFL transfers, general repairs, Glock enhancements, 704-840-7625

senojkj said:

Grass Roots North Carolina, P.O. Box 10665, Raleigh, NC 27605, 919-664-8565, www.GRNC.org
Scotland County Commissioners Buying Time

As we have told you, the Scotland County Parks and Recreation Committee recommended restrictions to your concealed carry and self-defense rights to the full extent allowable under the new law. The Board of Commissioners policy subcommittee then voted 2-1 to recommend such an ordinance restricting your concealed carry and self-defense rights. On March 5, however; the Scotland County Board of Commissioners chose to table a proposed restrictive concealed carry parks ordinance. This is apparently in reaction to the pushback from you the people on the matter. As Board Chairman Bob Davis noted: the proposed ordinance "has been cussed and discussed" by the public. Congratulations, your efforts are being notice, but don't relax yet.

Board of Commissioners next steps

The board has asked the county attorney and the county manager to work on a very specific restrictive ordinance for the board to review at the April meeting. We believe the board will review the proposed ordinance at the April 2 meeting, possibly expose the ordinance to public comment at the May 7 meeting, and then vote on the ordinance at the June 4 meeting. However, this possible chain of events could change any time. In the meantime, the ordinance could die due to lack of support, and GRNC hopes this is the case. But, as you know, hope is not a strategy. Therefore, your continued diligence will be essential to ensuring Scotland County parks do not become criminals-only gun zones.

Your next steps

GRNC understands there is support amongst the commissioners for not restricting concealed carry in parks at all. Commissioner Alford, for example, has already expressed his opposition to concealed carry restrictions during the policy committee meeting. Be sure to thank him for his wise position. However, if a vote is required, the outcome could come down to one vote. Let's ensure any vote protects the right to self-defense. You must now continue reminding the board that the people oppose any such restrictions on concealed carry in parks or elsewhere.


Scotland County:
* Attend the April 2, May 7, and June 4 commission meetings. This small investment of time is vital to protect your 2nd amendment rights. If you don't participate in the process, those opposed to your rights will. Meetings begin at 7:00 pm and are held at the Scotland County A. B. Gibson Center Board Room, 322 S. Main Street, Laurinburg. Plan to pack the room for each meeting.
* Contact the following county commissioners and others to thank Commissioner Alford for his public position, and to acknowledge the tabling of the bad ordinance.
- Bob Davis, Chairman; rfcd@windstream.net
- Joyce McDow, Vice Chair; jmcdow@scotlandcounty.org
- John T. Alford; jalford@scotlandcounty.org
- John Cooley; jcooley@scotlandcounty.org
- Carol McCall; cmccall@scotlandcounty.org
- Guy McCook; gmccook@hastyrealty.com
- Clarence McPhatter II; mcphatterfh@windstream.net
- Kevin Patterson, County Manager; kpatterson@scotlandcounty.org
- Ann W. Kurtzman, Clerk to the Board; akurtzman@scotlandcounty.org
- Edward H. Johnson, County Attorney, 303 Atkinson Street, Laurinburg, NC 28352

Click to expand...

Don't be too quick to thank Mr. Alford for his support. He doesn't. He voted against the ordinance only because he views it as mostly unenforceable because the parks are not fenced and gated or otherwise defined. He is personally against guns in the parks. This is from minutes of meeting 6 Feb 12.
Do write him, and the others, to express support for simply following the NC law and not instituting further restraints on self-defense.

Four recurring statements offered during the public forum on the issue:
1) "Guns make me nervous." If concealed, you won't know they are there.
2) "Guns and children don't mix." I agree wholeheartedly. I don't want the kids having guns either. That's why I am the carrier.
3} "Guns are not the answer to every situation." Again, I completely agree. It's when all other options have failed, that I want my last line of defense.
4) "The police are sufficient protection." Only if they are there at that moment. Also, their response is reactive rather than proactive.

The Sheriff, your elected Chief Law Enforcement Officer, has determined that I am properly trained, of good character, and mentally stable. Trust him, aand me.

Attend the meetings. Write.

"The police are sufficient protection." What moron came up with that? Any honest cop would readily admit they are 'no' protection nor are they required to "protect" anyone. After the murder, rape, armed robbery--then they attempt to 'catch' the criminal. They do nothing to protect the proposed victim. Not their fault; how could they?

The comment of adequate protection was due to a family who had lost track of a child. They called, and LE was on scene in less than a minute. Seems the station was across the street..........Same person also said he didn't want to be constantly wondering who has a gun. Apparently he doesn't think about it anywhere else.

I learned a lot about speaking at these kinds of forums that night.

Still no Parks CC Ban in Scotland Co.

Attended Scotland co. commissioners meeting last night (4-2-12) in Laurinburg. Short version: Parks Ban plan is tabled indefinitely.

When the item came up for vote, the town manager (Kevin Patterson) mentioned a conversation he had that indicated the GA may revisit this law during this year's short session. He may be confusing that with HB111. We'll have to keep an eye out.

One commissioner, Guy McCook, is very much anti-gun. He also does not believe it is the State's place to dictate how county resources (parks, etc.) are regulated. He wanted to vote on the item last night. Commissioner Alford, though also against guns in the parks and was ready to vote, was against the ban because he doesn't see how it could be enforced. Commissioner Cooley spoke well against the ban, reasoning that the legal CCers were not the problem. Commissioner McPhatter was also against a ban, saying that he would want someone to have the means to repel any attack on children and family members.

It's just as well that there was no provision for public input, as by the time this item came up on the agenda, only about 6 people were still there.