Castle Doctrine Dropping: Need Your Action!

[calamityjane]

Once again, North Carolina is denying us our gun rights; not even bothering to set up hearings on them.

The Castle Doctrine bill is now on it's way to the same death as the Restaurant Right to Carry death, by being totally ignored and letting enough time pass so it will not be heard.

This bill was referred to three separate committees, the first being the House Judiciary I Committee. That committee is Chaired by anti-gun State Representative Deborah Ross (D-38), and she appears to be unwilling to set a date for a hearing. Please contact Representative Ross and her committee members and urge them to allow this critical legislation—which received overwhelming, bi-partisan support in the Senate—to be heard.

I have personally done all the work of getting the committee members emails for you to write to. Tell them to urge Deborah Ross (as well as Ms Ross herself) to set a hearing for this bill! NC will not tolerate having our 2A rights ignored.


Judiciary 1 Committee members:

martha.alexander@ncleg.net; john.blust@ncleg.net; angela.bryant@ncleg.net; larry.hall@ncleg.net; pricey.harrison@ncleg.net; verla.insko@ncleg.net; grier.martin@ncleg.net; annie.mobley@ncleg.net; wil.neumann@ncleg.net; sarah.stevens@ncleg.net; roger.west@ncleg.net

Vice-Chairpersons of Said Committee:

melanie.goodwin@ncleg.net; paul.stam@ncleg.net

Chairperson herself:

Deborah.Ross@ncleg.net


Please edit the letter below to suit your viewpoint and send to this committee. I chose to send three separate emails, one to the members, one to the Vice-Chairpersons and a separately written one to Deborah Ross herself.




Dear (Members of Judiciary Committee 1) or (Vice-Chairpersons of Judiciary Committee 1) or (Deborah Ross),

Please encourage Deborah Ross set a date as soon as possible for a hearing on SB 928 (the Castle Doctrine Bill). I don't understand what is causing the delay. I expect bills regarding my Second Amendment rights to at least be heard, and find it unacceptable that this bill is getting bogged down just as the Restaurant right to carry bill was, until the deadline passed.

I urge you to strongly encourage this critical legislation—which received overwhelming, bi-partisan support in the Senate—to be heard.

Respectfully,
Your name
A Concerned North Carolina Voter

[eclipse13]

I sent out some emails and got this responce almost immediatly from John Blust

It should not be the case in the people's House of Representatives, but the rules adopted by a majority of the members allow a committee chairman to unilaterally decide for everyone's representative that a bill people care about will not even be discussed. Get people who care about your issue to pay close attention to the rules vote in the next session of the House in 2011 if you ever want the bill you back to be enacted into law. The institution set up by our constitution has been seriously perverted by the creation of a hierarchy of the House members. Everyone in this state is constitutionally entitled to equal representation. That is an American ideal that should not be compromised.

[lockmup68]

Sent. I also asked Ms. Voss to explain why she is delaying the hearing and details on what is being done. We'll see what happens.

[blueorb]

Emails have been sent. Anyone else getting responses to their emails?

[calamityjane]

Originally Posted by eclipse13

Quote from Mr. Blust: It should not be the case in the people's House of Representatives, but the rules adopted by a majority of the members allow a committee chairman to unilaterally decide for everyone's representative that a bill people care about will not even be discussed. Get people who care about your issue to pay close attention to the rules vote in the next session of the House in 2011 if you ever want the bill you back to be enacted into law. The institution set up by our constitution has been seriously perverted by the creation of a hierarchy of the House members. Everyone in this state is constitutionally entitled to equal representation. That is an American ideal that should not be compromised.

This is amazing.

Okay, so what he is saying is that in North Carolina the rules of procedural order in the NC House are unconstitutional. The only representative that can bring ANY issue (a bill, an investigation, a conern, etc) in front of a committee is the chairman of THAT COMMITTEE. They and only they, set the agenda.

What that means is, unless that Representative is yours, you have NO representation in that committee. This makes the chairman of any committee all powerful.

Mr. Blust has clearly stated that this is (obviously) unconstitutional. I am surprised you received such an honest and potentially explosive response, eclipse. He is telling you his hands are tied and that if he were us, he would push this.

If you don't mind, I'm going to take this to some powerful organizations I support that may be interested in a lawsuit. Will get back to you.

[eclipse13]

By all means, do what you feel necessary.

[calamityjane]

I'm on it. Like flies on... well you get the point. ;)

[blueorb]

I just received this reply from Rep. Blust:

quote
"I just told Rep. Ross I was getting several e-mails asking her to have a hearing on this bill and I suggested to her that the bill be heard."
unquote

I also received this response from Rep. Harrison:

quote
"thanks for writing on this

Pricey"
unquote

Rep Harrison's response wasn't very forthcoming but at least they are reading the emails and, according to the wording in Rep. Blust's email, they are receiving multiple emails on this issue.

[turkeydance]

emails work, faxes are ignored, and phone calls go to voice mail hell.
"more bang for your buck" is actually showing up. yes, i have to take
a day off to drive to Raleigh and pay for parking, and pay for whatever,
but a real, in person, face-to-face works wonders.that's what our
anti-gun opponents do. my 2 cents: Show Up.

[calamityjane]

We spoke to the NRA-ILA this morning. They are aware of the problems Ms. Ross consistently causes in committee regarding allowing a hearing of any pro gun issue. Rest assured, they are currently increasing pressure on her party's leadership to force Ms. Ross to hear this bill.


If that fails, the NRA-ILA will then begin to put pressure on her party's leadership to move the bill to a committee that WILL hear it. As they increase the pressure on her party's leadership, they will be asking for the NC voter's support in writing letters, emailing and making phone calls to her party's leadership. Watch for an NRA-ILA alert coming out on this here. Please bookmark this site, if you will, to keep up on their NC alerts for us.


The GRNC is also aware and acting on this issue. If you can, please join and get on their alert list as well. Regardless of the 'Thanks for your email' replies we are getting from the committee (frequently without the time it takes to put a period on the sentence), they ARE feeling the pressure.


I have only lived in NC for three or four years, but the NRA-ILA stated NC used to be a have strong pro gun representation. We have a large pro gun constituency here that has lost their respresentation. Organization and continued pressure on the committee's on our part will help regain our 2A rights on NC, eventually.

p.s. if turkeydance will drive the bus to Raleigh, I'll bring the CD's. ;)

[jtlittle]

RE: Castle Doctrine‏
From: Rep. Deborah K. Ross (Deborah.Ross@ncleg.net)
Sent: Fri 6/12/09 3:39 PM
To: James Little (mbx5racer@hotmail.com)

Thank you for your email, James.



Deborah




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: James Little [mailto:mbx5racer@hotmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, June 11, 2009 09:32 AM
To: Rep. Deborah K. Ross
Subject: Castle Doctrine


Dear Deborah Ross,

Please set a date as soon as possible for a hearing on SB 928 (the Castle Doctrine Bill). I don't understand what is causing the delay. I expect bills regarding my Second Amendment rights to at least be heard, and find it unacceptable that this bill is getting bogged down just as the Restaurant right to carry bill was, until the deadline passed.

I urge you to strongly encourage this critical legislation—which received overwhelming, bi-partisan support in the Senate—to be heard.

Respectfully,
James T. Little TAX PAYING VOTER WHO ACTUALLY EARNS MONEY TO PAY YOUR

[SteelyNirvana]

Did my part, emails sent.

[Kixu]

I too have sent email. Again next week, I will send email again. I also received the EXACT same message from Ms.Ross as you all have.

Sarah Stevens wrote back saying "I have and would love to hear it. I support it" when I asked for her to please place pressure for the bill to be heard.

Please do not think they keep track if you have sent them 1 message or 10, they just know they have 10 messages asking for action. If you do not want to send all from the same account, it is easy to sign up for free email accounts. Please don't be fooled by thinking the people that don't want this bill passed only send 1 message.

[Kixu]

TODAYS ANNOUNCMENT FROM THE NRA.......PLEASE ACT AND HELP PROTECT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY...

One Pro-Gun Bill Currently Stalled, While Another Receives a Hearing Date in the Senate
Please Contact Your Legislators!

There still has not been any action taken on Senate Bill 928, the Castle Doctrine Bill, in the House of Representatives. This bill was referred to three separate committees, the first being the House Judiciary I Committee. That committee is Chaired by anti-gun State Representative Deborah Ross (D-38), and she appears to be unwilling to set a date for a hearing. Please continue to contact Representative Ross and urge her to allow this critical legislation—which received overwhelming, bi-partisan support in the Senate—to be heard. Please call Representative Ross at 919-733-5773 or e-mail her at Deborah.Ross@ncleg.net. Also, please call or email your State Representative and ask them to urge House leadership to bring SB 928 up for consideration. You can call your Representative at 919-733-7928.

House Bill 1132, is on the Senate Calendar for Tuesday, June 16. This bill states that if a Right-to-Carry permit holder applies for a renewal of his or her permit within 30 days of the expiration of the permit, the permit will be valid until the renewal is officially approved or denied. Please contact your State Senator and urge him or her to support House Bill 1132.

[SteelyNirvana]

I've already heard back from Pricey, "thanks for writing on this issue". This morning I had an email from John Blust, "Thee is no encouraging such a committed liberal. I will continue to work to change House rules so this type of killing a bill by inaction can no longer occur in the future."

[calamityjane]

Originally Posted by Kixu

TODAYS ANNOUNCMENT FROM THE NRA.......PLEASE ACT AND HELP PROTECT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY...

One Pro-Gun Bill Currently Stalled, While Another Receives a Hearing Date in the Senate
Please Contact Your Legislators!

There still has not been any action taken on Senate Bill 928, the Castle Doctrine Bill, in the House of Representatives. This bill was referred to three separate committees, the first being the House Judiciary I Committee. That committee is Chaired by anti-gun State Representative Deborah Ross (D-38), and she appears to be unwilling to set a date for a hearing. Please continue to contact Representative Ross and urge her to allow this critical legislation—which received overwhelming, bi-partisan support in the Senate—to be heard. Please call Representative Ross at 919-733-5773 or e-mail her at Deborah.Ross@ncleg.net. Also, please call or email your State Representative and ask them to urge House leadership to bring SB 928 up for consideration. You can call your Representative at 919-733-7928.

The highlighted section above is the updated request on the Senate Bill 928, Castle Doctrine. The NRA-ILA is working on the House leadership top down, we need to encourage our representatives to work upwards. I am very encouraged by Mr. Blust's emails. I feel he is deeply frustrated and completely on our side on this issue. Let's help him and clear the way for him to do his job; we can't lose him to the other jaded or corrupt members.

HERE is a link to the NC House Leadership. Everyone listed ABOVE Ms. Ross on this list is above her in the leadership hierarchy. Please, contact them, especially the Majority Leader and Speaker. A long email isn't necessary, please just request them to encourage Ms. Ross to allow this bill to be heard, asap.

[TX AG-EE]

Here is my letter. I copied my rep, the speaker and the majority leader.

Mrs. Ross,



Please let me know when you intend on scheduling SB928 for a fair hearing in the Judiciary Committee. It seems you are attempting to circumvent our democracy by refusing to schedule a hearing on this bill. It received overwhelming bi-partisan support in the Senate. Are you refusing to let it be heard due to your personal political beliefs? As an independent voter, that type of petty behavior doesn’t bode well with me. And it makes me think the Democratic Party of this state seems to think more of a criminal’s rights than of mine to defend my wife and 3 year old daughter in the gravest extreme of a break-in at my home.



Speaker Hackney, Mr. Holliman, Mrs. Jeffus, do I need to reconsider what party to vote for and campaign for in the next election cycle? I believe all bills voted to be sent to committees by the floor should be given a fair and open hearing in that respective committee, even the ones with which I disagree. Our legislative process should not be held captive by one person.



I hope you will agree and let the bill be heard in committee and allow our legislative process to work like it should.



Best regards,
TX AG-EE

of course...I did vote and campaign for the repubs last election cycle, but they don't need to know that.

[speedydave]

I emailed Ross along with my rep. It can't hurt.

[Evil Drew M]

I sent my weekly letters this morning - but they have let every pro-gun "for the masses" bill introduced this year die. I expected nothing less from them on this one. NC is about as "anti-gun" a "pro-gun" state can be. Let's re-cap:

• HB 257: (No Seizure of Lawful Firearms in Emergency) Prohibits the seizure of lawfully-possessed firearms or ammunition during a declared state of emergency. - DEAD, never had a chance
• HB 269: (Concealed Handgun Permit Valid in Parks) Removes restrictions on carrying concealed firearms in parks by Right-to-Carry permit holders. - DEAD, never had a chance
• HB 270: (Personal Protection in Restaurants) Removes restrictions on carrying concealed firearms in restaurants licensed to serve alcohol by Right-to-Carry permit holders. - Passed first reading then stalled and DEAD
• HB 892: (Repeal Pistol/Crossbow Transfer Permit) Eliminates the requirement that law-abiding citizens receive a permit to purchase a handgun from their sheriff before acquiring a handgun. - DEAD, never had a chance compliments of the Sheriff's Association (Write them a letter and tell them what you think).
  
• HB 1131: (Castle Doctrine for North Carolina) Castle Doctrine self-defense bill would ensure that all citizens have a right to use force, including deadly force, against a violent attacker. - Passed 1 reading after it's balls were cut off then stalled, soon to die
• HB 1132: (Renew concealed carry Permit/ 30 Day Limit) Establish a 30-day deadline for processing renewal of Right-to-Carry permits. - What? Make the government work faster? No way Jose!
• HB 1133: (Firearm Locked in Vehicle/Parking Lot) Prohibits businesses from restricting law-abiding citizens (including employees) from storing a lawfully owned firearm in their vehicle while the vehicle is parked on company property. - This one was iffy for me since it has the ability to violate someone's rights by forcing them to allow something they may not want. Either way - DEAD.
• HB 1445: (Reform Bill of 2009) Establish a procedure for restoring an individual’s Second Amendment rights for certain non-violent offenses. - Not sure on this one either but nonetheless - DEAD.

Awesome . . .

A bit more info HERE.

[Shotgun]

E-mailed yesterday or the day before on SB928. Her (Ross) only response was thank you for your email. No useful information or decent response. Obvious to me she doesn't care what we (the people) wish. Still going to continue to contact them frequently, so at least I can say I tried.

[calamityjane]

Originally Posted by Evil Drew M

I sent my weekly letters this morning - but they have let every pro-gun "for the masses" bill introduced this year die. I expected nothing less from them on this one. NC is about as "anti-gun" a "pro-gun" state can be. Let's re-cap:

• HB 257: (No Seizure of Lawful Firearms in Emergency) Prohibits the seizure of lawfully-possessed firearms or ammunition during a declared state of emergency. - DEAD, never had a chance
• HB 269: (Concealed Handgun Permit Valid in Parks) Removes restrictions on carrying concealed firearms in parks by Right-to-Carry permit holders. - DEAD, never had a chance
• HB 270: (Personal Protection in Restaurants) Removes restrictions on carrying concealed firearms in restaurants licensed to serve alcohol by Right-to-Carry permit holders. - Passed first reading then stalled and DEAD
• HB 892: (Repeal Pistol/Crossbow Transfer Permit) Eliminates the requirement that law-abiding citizens receive a permit to purchase a handgun from their sheriff before acquiring a handgun. - DEAD, never had a chance compliments of the Sheriff's Association (Write them a letter and tell them what you think).
  
• HB 1131: (Castle Doctrine for North Carolina) Castle Doctrine self-defense bill would ensure that all citizens have a right to use force, including deadly force, against a violent attacker. - Passed 1 reading after it's balls were cut off then stalled, soon to die
• HB 1132: (Renew concealed carry Permit/ 30 Day Limit) Establish a 30-day deadline for processing renewal of Right-to-Carry permits. - What? Make the government work faster? No way Jose!
• HB 1133: (Firearm Locked in Vehicle/Parking Lot) Prohibits businesses from restricting law-abiding citizens (including employees) from storing a lawfully owned firearm in their vehicle while the vehicle is parked on company property. - This one was iffy for me since it has the ability to violate someone's rights by forcing them to allow something they may not want. Either way - DEAD.
• HB 1445: (Reform Bill of 2009) Establish a procedure for restoring an individual’s Second Amendment rights for certain non-violent offenses. - Not sure on this one either but nonetheless - DEAD.

Awesome . . .

A bit more info HERE.

HB 1132 is the only one that has made it anywhere. It was the only one heard and passed by the House, went to the Senate subcommittee, came out as 'favorable' and is scheduled to be voted on tomorrow 6/16.

The interesting part of this dumba$$ hoser bill is that there has been a line added that says the 'sheriff MAY waive the requirement of taking another firearm training and safety course'. I don't plan to be here long enough to have to renew and sit through another 10 hour CCW course, thanks anyway.

Interesting bill as you can only submit for renewal 30 days before your expiration date; we need a bill to do this math?

Four out of the listed 8 HB's above died in Judiciary 3 led by Ronnie Sutton. Our fine Mr. Sutton has found the time however, to introduce a bill of his own, twice now, to lengthen the NC House terms from 2 years to 4 years. Looks like Ronnie might know he's not representing his constituents as he should and is afraid of getting the boot...

Ronnie has also found time to sponsor bills THIS YEAR, while our bills were dying, to spend money to Increase Funding for Riverside Golf Course, Compensate Eugenics Sterilization Survivors, Reaffirm Opposition to Video Poker, American Indian Mothers Cannery Funds....
Read all about it here.

Please don't forget our buddy Ronnie when you send out your Fourth of July mailings to your Rep's of nothing but the Second Amendment printed on a piece of paper.

[calamityjane]

By the way, since this thread got onto Deborah Ross' letting our bills die... and she did head the committee on two more of those eight bills in the previous post...

Thought you might be interested to see what SHE is spending your hard earned tax dollars on....

Deborah Ross' sponsored bills this year.

[Kixu]

Alright guys. I just spent the last 25 minutes talking with the Representative from my county. Wow, what a nice guy! He explained to me the situation and how she deals with pressure. I have been informed that we need to keep the pressure up on her and the Speaker of the House. People from Wake county can put the most pressure on her since that is her area. I learned that the Speaker of the House can force the bill to vote or can reassign it to a different committee if he so wishes.

Guys, we need to step up and protect our rights. A quick phone call, letter or email will only take you a few minutes. Let your voice be heard. We can't complain if we stand on the sidelines. This bill does not extend anyones "Gun Rights" it simply protects us from the families of criminals.

If you would like to read something interesting that may help put things into prospective from past activity http://www.spnc.net/happenin.htm scroll down to Catawba County Responds To The ACLU's Attack On Our Cross....See anyones name that looks a little familiar?

[NC Dave]

After getting the same stock answers as everyone else last week, I wrote Rep. Ross again this morning thanking her for having a staffer acknowledge the receipt of my email, and that as a citizen of North Carolina, I was eagerly awaiting the answers to my previous questions:

1. When is SB 928 going to be scheduled for a hearing?
2. If you are not planning on scheduling a hearing for something that passed the Senate so overwhelmingly, can you please explain why?

I copied everyone else on the committee as well as Speaker Hackney. I'll let everyone know if I get any responses.

I will be calling my House rep today as well as Speaker Hackney's office asking that the Speaker force the issue.

[Demon613]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McMinn_County_War