imported post
"As to H3003, Grass Roots has stated there are some problems with this bill. They havent given me the specifics and I supposeits because they have said they cant get a lawyer to look at it (I think its funds)"
As with most things political, the issue of money - or lack thereof - comes into play.
I am the person responsible for looking at the legislation and doing so is not at the top of my list of priorities right now. Why? Because my daughter just had surgery, I need surgery, and I have been having health problems. Additionally, I needed to draft proposed legislation to be introduced when the legislative session begins that will allow CWP carry in restaurants that serve alcoholic beverages and to allow CWP carry in vehicles on school grounds. Getting such legislation introduced is more important than analyzing legislation that will not even be considered for weeks or months. It is just a matter of triage, not neglect.
"My wife and I have joined Grass Roots but the fact is that Grass Roots is geared towards the CC crowd."
Thank for joining, but you are not correct about the CC crowd.
GrassRoots leaders were responsible for killing NRA supported legislation (H. 4918) in 1998 that would have required the registration of ALL PRIVATE transfers of ALL firearms. That is not just a CC issue. It was this fight that motivated GrassRoots leadership to turn GrassRoots into a gun rights organization.
GrassRoots was responsible for the amendments to the Shooting Range Protection Act of 2000 that changed the bill from one only protecting outdoor shotgun ranges that would cap membership to one that protected all - rifle, handgun, and shotgun - outdoor shooting ranges with no requirement to cap membership. The GrassRoots changes also protected the action shooting sports such as IDPA, USPSA, and SASS. That is not just a CC issue. The NRA and their state affiliate blackballed GrassRoots for demanding that all shooting ranges be protected instead of just the shotgun ranges.
In 2002, GrassRoots was responsible for changing the law to allow firearms to be possessed in highway rest areas by all and to be carried in highway rest areas by CWP holders. It used to be a felony to do so. That is not just a CC issue. The NRA leadership tried to kill this bill.
In 2002, GrassRoots was responsible for changing the law to allow anyone to possess a firearm in their vehicle in the parking lot of a restaurant that served alcoholic beverages for on premises consumption. It used to be a three year mesdemeanor, and thus a lifetime firearms disability from the federal government. That is not just a CC issue. The NRA leadership tried to kill this bill.
GrassRoots has fought to kill or amend every bill that negatively impacted the gun rights of hunters such as the Palmetto Trial bills that would require hunters to carry a gun case with them while hunting near the Palmetto Trail just in case the hunter needed to cross the Palmetto Trail since the trail could only be crossed with an unloaded and cased weapon. That is not just a CC issue.
GrassRoots fought against the anti bomb legislation until it was amended to protect the rights of reloaders. That is not just a CC issue.
GrassRoots fought against the SC Homeland Security legislation until it was amended to protect the rights of firearms instructors. As originally drafted, the bill would have made felons out of firearms instructors who innocently taught someone firearms safety and then that student innocently gave a donation to a group that he did not know was eventually designated as a terrorist group. That is not just a CC issue.
I could go on and on about the anti gun rights bills that GrassRoots has helped kill, but there should be no need to do so here and now. My point has been made and can be expanded upon.
"Im not saying they wouldnt support OC but I dont know."
Well, I do know. GrassRoots will support an open carry bill.
Here is a very simple rule that GrassRoots follows when deciding whether to support or fight any particular piece of legislation:
If it is anti gun rights, we fight it.
If it is pro gun rights, we support it.
Pretty simple.
Rob
