Gun Rights Supporters,       The leftists of the New York Times are making North Carolina the next beachhead in their assault on your Second Amendment rights.        Worse, it seems to be working: Right now, politicians in Raleigh are whispering about the need fornew laws to regulate concealed handgun permits.     As you may recall, just last week a "hit piece" by Times reporter Michael Luo ran in newspapers across not only the state, but the entire country, claiming thatthousands of North Carolina concealed handgun permit-holders are criminals.      Because Grass Roots North Carolina was central to passing our original concealed handgun law, Luo interviewed me ... that is, until it became clear that he had a hit piece in mind, at which time I told him to "get bent."      As you might expect, Luo's claims are based on misrepresentation of flawed data, selective use of anecdotes, and ignoring contrary information, which are unmasked in my article at:http://grnc.org/pauls-blog.  GRNC hits back!      Grass Roots North Carolina is hitting back hard with a rebuttal running yesterday in The Charlotte Observer, today in the Raleigh News & Observer, and this Sunday in the Greensboro News & Record, plus appearing soon in "Guns & Patriots" magazine, a publication of Human Events.       But "factoids" like Luo's don't just go away. Indeed, one sheriff -- on the hotseat for failing to revoke the permit of someone who fired into a dwelling containing his own deputy -- is trying to deflect blame onto the entire concealed handgun permit system by calling for legislation to close "loopholes."  Expect a full frontal assault!       Yes, Raleigh politicians are already talking about "working with" anti-gun NC Attorney General Roy Cooper for new checks on concealed handgun permit-holders.       At first, proponents will sound benign: "We just want to close some loopholes in the permit system."      But don't forget: The bill to register handgun purchase permit applicants in an SBI database began in just the same "benign" way.       Fortunately, GRNC killed that bill. And with your help, we will defeat future attacks on your rights, but remember:   To kill gun control, GRNC needs YOU!  To defeat this latest attack and help GRNC win in the next session of the General Assembly, we need you to:   Make your voice heard: Use the links above to leave comments on newspaper websites. Better yet, write letters to the editor -- especially to the News & Observer, which decided to excise all references in the piece to the charlatan calling himself Michael Luo. Sign the petition for restaurant carry: Remember, House Bill 111 for concealed carry in restaurants, is still alive in the Senate Judiciary I Committee.  But Senate leaders need to hear from you to get the bill out of committee and to a floor vote. Support GRNC: If you are new to GRNC, please check us out. If you haven't joined yet, please do. If you're already a member, please consider making an additional donation.       I promise you one thing: Grass Roots North Carolina will beat the tar out of the carpetbaggers bent on gutting our concealed carry law.       But because GRNC is just a lightning rod, collecting your energy and routing it to those who make laws, we need YOU!

Armatissimi e liberissimi, F. Paul Valone President, Grass Roots North Carolina      P.S. Again, if you are new to GRNC, please consider joining by going to:   http://grnc.org/join-grnc/join-grnc-online

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Women, liberals, gays among those with shifting views of handguns amid post-9/11 fears, marketing efforts.

Robin Natanel picks up a compact black pistol, barrel pointed down range. Gripping the gun with both hands, she raises the semi-automatic and methodically squeezes off five shots. If the target were a person's head or heart, he'd probably be dead.

Natanel is a Buddhist and self-avowed "spiritual person," a 53-year-old divorcee who lives alone in a liberal-leaning suburb near Boston. She's a tai chi instructor who invokes the benefits of meditation. And at least twice a month, she takes her German-made Walther PK380 to a shooting range and blazes away.

Natanel is one of a growing number of people in groups once considered anti-handgun - women, liberals, gays and college kids - who have been buying weapons. They are part of a national trend: Domestic handgun production and imports more than doubled over four years to about 4.6 million in 2009, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

The surge has been propelled by shifting politics and demographics that have made it easier and more acceptable than at any time in 75 years for Americans to buy and carry handguns. Post-9/11 fears seem to be a factor, as are the pro-gun politicking of the National Rifle Association and the marketing, particularly to women, by handgun manufacturers. Events like the Dec. 8 fatal shootings on the Virginia Tech University campus reinforce a feeling that the world is an unsafe place, even as violent U.S. crime rates fall.

Two years ago, an ex-boyfriend broke into Natanel's house when she wasn't home. The police advised a restraining order. Instead, she bought pepper spray and programmed the local police number on her cellphone's speed dial.

"I was constantly terrified for my safety," she says.

Ultimately, she got the pistol.

Natanel found it was no trouble to purchase the Walther, a brand favored by movie superspy James Bond, or to locate experts to train her. Her circumstances won her a concealed-carry permit in a state with tough gun-control laws.

"I'd never considered a gun," Natanel says. "...I didn't think anyone should have them."

'Clear societal change'

Twenty years ago, 76 percent of women felt that way about handguns, and 68 percent of all people in the country were wary enough of firearms of any kind to tell Gallup pollsters that they backed laws more strictly limiting their sale. Then what Gallup calls "a clear societal change" began.

In October, a Gallup poll found record-low support for a handgun ban - at 26 percent among all responders and 31 percent among women.

The poll, which has tracked gun attitudes since 1959, documented a record-low 43 percent who favor making it more difficult to acquire guns and record-high numbers of women and Democrats saying there is a firearm at their home. Forty-seven percent said someone in the household owns at least one gun, the highest reading in 18 years.

Skeptics object

Americans who have acquired handguns for protection are living with "serious delusions," says Caroline Brewer, a spokeswoman for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. She contends that few are trained rigorously enough to deploy their weapons in the shock and heat of an attack, that they'll shoot innocent bystanders, and that more times than not their firearms will be turned against them.

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In the latest development in the on-going Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) "Fast and Furious" scandal, the Department of Justice announced this week the appointment of U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota B. Todd Jones to serve as Acting Director of BATFE, replacing Kenneth Melson.  The DOJ also announced that Dennis Burke, U.S. attorney for the district of Arizona, has resigned.  And the Wall Street Journal reported that Emory Hurley, the assistant U.S. attorney responsible for the day-to-day operations of "Fast and Furious," has been removed from his post and reassigned to the department's Civil Division.

As we have frequently noted in this Alert, the reckless and utterly failed BATFE operation known as "Operation Fast And Furious" was run out of the BATFE's field office in Phoenix.  The bungled operation put thousands of guns into the hands of violent criminals in Mexico.

The more information comes out about "Fast and Furious," the more clear it seems that knowledge of the operation, and approval for it, went higher than the Phoenix field office, or even BATFE.  There is clear evidence, uncovered by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee headed by Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), that senior Obama Administration officials were aware of this disastrous operation.  And as the evidence continues to mount, it's looking more and more likely that what we're seeing unfold is a large-scale cover-up. 

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I just took your Conceal Carry Class this week and was impressed on how the instructor taught the class. He read the book but also took time to explain in common language what it meant. And even made the boring law side somewhat tolerable. There were also some women in the class and ya'll made them fell comfortable.  Also helped them out with their questions about hand guns. I have bought 2 pistols from Shooters in the past and many boxes of ammo and after the class will continue to do business with you!  I want to support people who believe in the things I do and care about our rights. I will encourage others to take your Conceal Carry Class and send you some business as well. Thanks again for offering this class, especially  in 2 night segments.  Thanks again and after my visit today to the Sheriffs office I should receive my permit in about 5 weeks.

N*** W****

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Multiple Sales Under Attack - Comments Reopened The ATF has reopened comments on their plan to register multiple sales of some (that's how it always starts) rifles.  This serious threat from the ATF needs to be stopped.  Back in January your comments were invaluable at preventing the "emergency designation" but the Mayors Against Illegal Guns (MAIG) reflector provided over 9,000 comments later in the comment period.  This time, you the gun owner must do better. Please log comments and spread the word to all your colleagues to do the same.  There is no doubt that BATFE is a determined crew.  We must be more determined.

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Last Wednesday, the NC House Judiciary C Committee took on House Bill 650, "Amend Various Gun Laws." Thanks to the efforts of Sponsors Mark Hilton (R-Catawba, GRNC ****), Steven LaRoque (R-, ****), George Cleveland (R- Onslow, ****) and Kelly Hastings (R- Cleveland, Gaston, ****), plus the leadership of Rules Chairman Tim Moore (R- Cleveland, ****) and Speaker Thom Tillis (R-Meckleburg, ****), the bill is likely to receive a committee vote this Wednesday. Gun rights supporters should immediately e-mail these courageous legislators with thanks, especially Speaker Thom Tillis. HB 650 is a huge and aggressive bill, meaning it will be difficult to pass. But if passed, it will go far toward reversing the creeping encroachment on gun owners' rights perpetuated in previous sessions of the legislature, including (but not limited to):   ·         Castle Doctrine (yet another vehicle for popular Castle Doctrine is now moving);   ·         Reducing penalties for carrying firearms on "educational property," including a protection against accidentally becoming a criminal by requiring that offenders "knowingly" brought the gun onto educational property;   ·         Enabling concealed carry at events for which admission is charged;   ·         Reducing penalties for a host of minor (often inadvertent) gun violations;   ·         Adding protections for gun owners whose guns are confiscated pursuant to domestic protective orders;   ·         Improves concealed handgun reciprocity to straight recognition of out-of-state permits;   ·         Removes provisions for concealed handgun applicants under which sheriffs are conducting intrusive investigations of medical history; and   ·         Enabling employees to keep guns in locked vehicles at places of employment.   FIRST COMMITTEE FIGHT As Chairman Moore brought up the bill, Rep. Hilton pointed out that it simply attempted to mirror and conform with federal law. Opposition was brought by the usual leftists, including Joe Hackney (D- Chatham, Moore, Orange, GRNC 0-star), Verla Insko (D-Orange, 0-star) and Jennifer Weiss (D-Wake, 0-star). Reps. Hilton, Cleveland, Hastings and Jonathan Jordan (R- Ashe, Watauga, ****) did an outstanding job of defending it. Thanks also go to Chairman Moore for allowing GRNC president Paul Valone to dispel numerous misconceptions regarding state and federal gun laws.

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Paul,

Thanks for making our day at the range today very enjoyable and fun.   

My wife could not stop talking about her experience and how much fun 

we had on the range today.   The instruction was fantastic, as 

evidenced by the "x's" that my wife shot.   My wife had never ever 

fired a weapon before and I had not shot in years.  The classroom lessons were fantastic and the time you spent with us on the range, helping us sight in and making us feel comfortable shooting was just great.  This was to have been our anniversary present back in March, but to circumstances beyond our control, we had to cancel.  Today was well worth the wait.  The enthusiasm you displayed toward us as new shooters made us feel very, very confident and relaxed.

We will definitely be back, although it will have to be after my wife's carpal tunnel surgery.

Thanks again for making our day a fantastic one.

Jim Parhamovich

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Friday, April 22, 2011

In another chapter in the ongoing attempt to blame the American gun community for Mexico’s internal strife, CBS News reports that the Mexican government has retained the New York City-based law firm of Reid Collins & Tsai to examine its options for suing U.S. gun manufacturers and distributors.  This report describes Mexico’s actions as a “novel approach,” in reality, such lawsuits have been used for decades as a tactic by anti-gun groups and governments in their attempts to bankrupt gun manufacturers and circumvent the political process. That's why Congress passed the “Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act” in 2005.  This act protects firearms manufacturers, distributors, dealers and importers from suits brought about as a result of “the harm solely caused by the criminal or unlawful misuse of firearm products or ammunition products by others when the product functioned as designed and intended.”  The outlook for a Mexican government suit looks dim; since the PLCAA was signed into law by President George W. Bush on Oct. 26, 2005, no federal court has allowed such a suit by a government plaintiff to go forward against a U.S. firearms manufacturer. The Mexican government’s plans for a lawsuit extend at least back to November 2, 2010, when a contract with the law firm was signed.  Unfortunately for the Mexican government, the possible lawsuit has come to light at the same time as diplomatic cables newly made available by Wikileaks, which have shown that drug cartels obtain much of their weaponry from Central American arsenals. One such cable, recently publicized by Mexico City newspaper La Jornada, addresses a frequently heard claim about the origin of guns used in Mexico's crime wave.  The cable’s author writes, “Claims by Mexican and U.S. officials that upwards of 90 percent of illegal recovered weapons can be traced back to the U.S. is based on an incomplete survey of confiscated weapons.  In point of fact, without wider access to the weapons seized in Mexico, we really have no way of verifying these numbers.” This information comes to light only weeks after another cable publicized by La Jornada revealed that 90 percent of the drug cartels’ “heavy armament,” such as grenades and rocket launchers, originates in Central America and enters Mexico through its Southern border with Guatemala.  Bolstering these claims, IHS Global Insights reported on April 6 that the head of U.S. Southern Command, General Douglas Fraser, testified before the Senate that over 50 percent of the military grade weapons in the region originated from Central America. Perhaps instead of retaining a boutique law firm from New York City to flout federal law in an attempt to attack law-abiding gun manufacturers, the Mexican government should spend the money on getting some help for the reported 125 Mexican immigration officers patrolling the 577 mile border with Guatemala.

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In a bruising battle fought by both legislators and GRNC's Legislative Action Team, HB 111, "Handgun Permit Valid in Parks & Restaurants" fought its way out of the NC House Judiciary A Subcommittee and now heads for a floor vote as early as tomorrow. Both strengthening and weakening changes were made to the bill. REP. HILTON'S SUBSTITUTE         Working with GRNC, bill sponsors Mark Hilton (R-Catawba, ****), Jeff Barnhart (R-Cabarrus, ****) and Fred Steen (R-Rowan, ****) produced an enhanced version of HB 111 which included concealed carry not only in municipal parks, but in state parks as well. The substitute was quickly adopted as the working vehicle for the bill.

Immediately take the following actions: ·         E-MAIL ALL SWING VOTERS THE NC HOUSE: By using our automated emailer at: http://grnc.org/alerts/email3_13_11.htm CALL YOUR HOUSE REP: Tell him or her to support HB 111 with no weakening amendments. You can identify your representative to the NC House by going to: http://www.grnc.org/contact_reps.htm         DELIVER THIS MESSAGE Honorable Members of the NC House:        For sixteen years, North Carolina concealed handgun permit-holders have proven themselves sane, sober and law-abiding. Their overwhelming responsibility is demonstrated by the fact that permit revocations run mere tenths of a single percent.         Because the ability of lawful North Carolinians to protect themselves and their families in restaurants and parks is long overdue, I STRONGLY URGE YOU TO SUPPORT HOUSE BILL 111: "Concealed Handgun Permit Valid in Parks and Restaurants" by all means substantive and procedural, and to pass the bill WITHOUT WEAKENDING AMENDMENTS. Under the bill, restaurants would still be able to post against firearms, and nothing would change the current prohibition on permit-holders consuming alcohol while carrying firearms.         I also expect you to support removing Representative Deborah Ross' amendment which would require permit-holders to disclose whether they are carrying firearms to restaurant servers, patrons, and potentially criminals. Under the Ross amendment, if a permit-holder orders an alcoholic beverage for someone else - even though the permit holder consumes no alcohol - he or she could be required to make that tactically unsound and potentially dangerous disclosure. If not removed, the Ross amendment will eventually cost lives.          I will monitor actions on HB 111 via Grass Roots North Carolina legislative alerts.                             Respectfully,

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    Well, here it is, just a few weeks out from the Shooters Blast and I'm really looking forward to it.  I think we have some great entertainment planned.  I can't wait to see Jim Grindstaff.  I have been told his his magic act is something special.  And I have seen the band, The Parogi Kings.  These guys put on a show and a half.  Still hoping our new full auto, the Kriss Vector 45 will be here in time.  Still, if not, we still have 3 more ready to go including our HK UMP.  And still haven't stopped working,

        Still looking for anyone else who would like to be a part of the Blast.  If you're interested, let me know.  Oh, and we do have a lotta give a ways.  We will be drawing for a range membership, conceal carry class, range bags, t shirts, and of course, guns.  We have 3 to give a way this year.  Our guests will have a chance to win a Glock or a Springfield XD psitol or a Smith & Wesson M&P15-22 rifle.  And of course, there will be lots of specials inside the Pro Shop. 

      Hope to see everyone there.  Lots of deals, lots of fun.  Bring the camera cause there will no doupt be lots of picture moments.

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      Hey Guys, wanted to invite all to our Shooters Blast coming up on March 26th.  In case you haven't heard, we have a great band scheduled, The Parodi Kings.  These guys do a great rock-a-billy show with lots of blues music.  I am very excited to have them as I have seen them twice and they are great.  We also have a great magician for the young and old.  If you get hungery, we have a vendor set up for dogs and snacks.  Of course we will have the fully automatics running for those who want to burn a bunch of ammo in a short time.  I am hoping our new machine gun, a KRISS VECTRO 45 full auto will be in in time.  Lots of drawings for free stuff including range memberships, classes, and of course free guns.  And I am still looking for other stuff in anyone knows anyone who would be interested in joining in.  Please let me know.  There will also be specials running in the Pro Shop.  March 26th from 10:00 till 5:00.  Join Us for the fun.

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      Welcome all the the new Shooters Express Blog.  This is our space, your's and our's.  Our place to keep in touch with each other.  We here at Shooters will use this space to keep you, our guests, in touch with what is happening here as well as in the firearms industry.  We want you to use this area to let us know what is on your mind.  We do ask that we keep things civil.  Discuss anything, no topic is forbidden.  Just please remember anyone of any age can view this page.  Act like your mom will be reading your comments AND will know you wrote them.    Thanks in advance for the great dialogue.   In he words of Robert Quillen, "Discussion is an exchange of knowledge, Argument is an exchange of  ignornace."  

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