NC Republican Party Plays Politics with Our Second Amendment Rights
As the 2013 North Carolina legislative session draws to a close, Republican senators and representatives are in the process of thumbing their collective noses at those of us who worked so hard to elect them last November.
House Bill 937, which amends various firearms laws to allow concealed carry in restaurants, in assemblies for which admission is charged, on campuses, at parades and funerals, and much more, faces one final obstacle: Intra-party Republican bickering between the NC House, Senate and Governor’s Mansion.
This is unacceptable.
Michael Howe, a legislative observer in Raleigh who was a guest last month on Freedom Forum Radio, wrote the following letter to Speaker Thom Tillis. You should be aware that Speaker Tillis is asking for your support in his quest to be the GOP candidate in next year’s election against Kay Hagan for US Senate.
Dear Speaker Tillis,
NC gun owners have reportedly been promised a concurrence vote on HB 937. As we are nearing the end of the legislative session time is paramount, and lawful gun owners have waited far too long for an expansion of gun rights in this state (i.e. restaurant carry, confidential records, etc). HB 937 is a good bill, and the Republican-led Senate saw fit to expand the rights of lawful gun owners in support of the Second Amendment. Now it’s your turn. Around the country we see the gun-grabbers working feverishly to exploit the acts of criminals committed in “gun-free zones” which serve only to endanger law-abiding citizens. Either you are committed to public safety or you are not, and further delays in allowing a concurrence vote on HB 937 does not bode well in answering that question.
Groups like Grass Roots NC and lawful gun owners around the state worked hard to put Republicans firmly in control of the NC General Assembly. If you believe they will turn out to support you against Senator Kay Hagan just because she is a Democrat you are sadly mistaken. If you prove unreliable on gun rights at the state level you are likely to do the same at the federal level. Gun owners are tired of voting for candidates who talk the talk but fail to walk the walk. North Carolina is NOT Massachusetts. Either prove to lawful gun owners now that you can be trusted to stand firmly in support of gun rights or do not expect our help in the 2014 election.
The NC House started with a good bill in HB 937 and the NC Senate made it much better. The NC Sheriff’s Association is not an honest broker in their opposition to HB 937’s provision that would repeal the pistol purchase permit system. They merely wish to maintain the power to deny permits to whomever they wish while collecting revenue for each permit. The fact that no purchase permit is required to buy rifles and shotguns proves this. Their concern is not for public safety but rather power.
Please, Speaker Tillis, no more delay! It’s time to step up for lawful gun owners’ rights and schedule a concurrence vote on HB 937. If we fail to receive your support THIS session, don’t expect ours next year. Please bring HB 937 forward for a concurrence vote now.
Thank you,
Michael Howe
Dr. Dan’s Freedom Forum is joining with GRNC who is coordinating an effort to let Speaker Tillis, Senate Leader Berger and Governor McCrory know we are serious about passing HB 937, and that failure to do so may have serious consequences for one or more prominent Republicans in upcoming elections.
Email your concerns and call EACH of these elected official’s offices on Monday morning July 15 at 9:00 am.
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EMAIL REPUBLICAN LEADERS:
Using the contact information below, email Speaker Thom Tillis, Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger and Governor Pat McCrory. Let them know that you expect a concurrence vote immediately on HB 937, and for it to be signed when it hits the Governor’s desk.
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CALL REPUBLICAN LEADERS AT 9:00AM MONDAY:
Using the contact information below, begin calling the offices of Speaker Tillis, Senate President Pro Tem Berger and Governor McCrory at 9:00am Monday morning. If you can’t get through immediately, keep trying. Tell them to stop bickering and pass HB 937.
CONTACT INFO:
SAMPLE EMAIL
Subject: Bring HB 937 to a vote
Dear Speaker Tillis / Senator President Pro Tem Berger, Governor McCrory:
I strongly urge you to put aside intra-party Republican squabbling and respond to gun-owning voters who played a large role in making North Carolina the only battleground state to make conservative gains in the 2012 elections.
All competing factions need to stop maneuvering and serve the people who put them in office. Specifically, House Bill 937 (“Amend Various Firearms Laws”) needs to come to a prompt concurrence vote this week.
We’ve heard all the promises . . . Now we want action. Speaker Tillis needs to bring HB 937 to a concurrence vote, and, if necessary, resolve differences with Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger in a conference committee after it clears both chambers. Governor McCrory needs to sign HB 937 into law . . . This year!
If HB 937 dies as the result of being held hostage to Republican power struggles, let me assure you there will be consequences in 2014 and 2016. I will be monitoring your actions.
Respectfully,
Name / Contact Information
Thanks Dr. Dan for the heads up. I thought HB 937 was moving along nicely. I think complacency by the working class is the main reason we are in big trouble today. We do need a wake up call.
Dan, thank you for providing all of this information. Michael Howe’s letter is very well written, and I could not agree more. I have written to Tillis, Berger, and McCrory and will call them tomorrow morning as well. We must get this done!
this is the line that cannot be crossed….there are too many politicians in both parties that would disarm the people..
these same politicians should be disarmed and their protections eliminated..