GRNC Alert: School Safety Is Up To NC House Republicans

Rep. Larry Pittman (R-Cabarrus, Rowan) is planning to offer a substitute amendment to the NC Senate's S 5 - School Safety Omnibus. It would create the position of volunteer school faculty guardian. Requirements would be a 16-hour training course from the NC Criminal Justice and Training Standards Commission, drug testing, and possession of a NC Concealed Handgun Permit. It would only apply to those who are either full or part-time faculty or staff of a school. The substitute is based upon his HB 216.

GRNC says, and I agree, that it is time to push Republicans in the proper direction on school safety.


From the alert:

SCHOOL SAFETY IS UP TO NC HOUSE REPUBLICANS

Pro-gun stalwart to offer full school protection bill as an amendment… If you follow GRNC’s alerts, then you know that GRNC 4-star statesman, Rep. Larry Pittman (Cabarrus, Rowan), can always be counted on to stand for your gun rights. In fact, he not only stands for them, he takes strides to advance them, and advance a pro-gun bill is exactly what Rep. Pittman intends to do, with your help. Studies Show Studies by the Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC), with respected researcher Dr. John Lott at its helm, have concluded that schools that allow educators and administrators to be armed are much (much) safer than their gun-free counterparts.  To read more about the CPRC’s study, click here. Incidentally, thanks to GRNC’s hard-working volunteers, NC’s House Republicans have been made well aware of this study and its results, so any legislator’s claimed ignorance of this truth is not viable. Help Rep. Pittman Help North Carolina Rep. Pittman intends to offer House Bill 216 (H216) (School Self-Defense Act), in its entirety, as an amendment to Senate Bill 5 (S5) (School Safety Omnibus), which is quite alive, but has just been sent back to the Rules Committee. We must encourage the Rules Committee members and other House Republicans to either allow a full hearing for H216 or to move forward with S5, with H216 as an amendment.  Note that the addition of language from H216 to S5 (or the passage of H216 by itself, in its entirety) would make school protection complete—entirely practical and most importantly: effective. The uniting of these two bills (or H216 alone) would be a great development, however, Rep. Pittman needs your help if this is to happen. Push Republicans in the Right Direction Below, see how you can easily contact the House Republican caucus to insist they do the right thing. To give them the push they need, please use the information provided below to send them a message.  (Note: GRNC will be tracking legislators' votes on this, and it will go down on their gun-rights record---for better or worse). Support "Rights Watch International" Learn more about Rights Watch International You shop. Amazon Gives. (What is Amazon Smile?)

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!

EMAIL THE REPUBLICAN HOUSE CAUCUS: Apart from a few reliable pro-gun statesman, the copy/paste email list(s) below will allow you to send your message to all House Republicans. For the message body, use the copy/paste text provided in the ‘Deliver This Message’ section, also below. PLEASE CONTRIBUTE TO GRNC: Help us fight gun control while we promote Second Amendment principles. Please CLICK HERE to contribute. Bear in mind that GRNC is an all-volunteer organization, so you can be sure your donations are put to the best possible use. Any amount helps, and any amount is appreciated. NC House Republicans Copy/Paste Email *Lists(s): Dean.Arp@ncleg.net; Lisa.Barnes@ncleg.net; John.Bell@ncleg.net; Hugh.Blackwell@ncleg.net; Jamie.Boles@ncleg.net; William.Brisson@ncleg.net; Mark.Brody@ncleg.net; Dana.Bumgardner@ncleg.net; Jerry.Carter@ncleg.net; Debra.Conrad@ncleg.net; Kevin.Corbin@ncleg.net; Ted.Davis@ncleg.net; Jimmy.Dixon@ncleg.net; Josh.Dobson@ncleg.net; Jeffrey.Elmore@ncleg.net; John.Faircloth@ncleg.net; John.Fraley@ncleg.net; Edward.Goodwin@ncleg.net; Holly.Grange@ncleg.net; Destin.Hall@ncleg.net; Kyle.Hall@ncleg.net; Bobby.Hanig@ncleg.net; Jon.Hardister@ncleg.net; Kelly.Hastings@ncleg.net; Cody.Henson@ncleg.net; Craig.Horn@ncleg.net; Julia.Howard@ncleg.net; Chris.Humphrey@ncleg.net; Pat.Hurley@ncleg.net; Frank.Iler@ncleg.net; Steve.Jarvis@ncleg.net; LindaP.Johnson@ncleg.net; Brenden.Jones@ncleg.net; Donny.Lambeth@ncleg.net; David.Lewis@ncleg.net; Pat.McElraft@ncleg.net; Chuck.McGrady@ncleg.net; Allen.McNeill@ncleg.net; Tim.Moore@ncleg.net; Gregory.Murphy@ncleg.net; Larry.Potts@ncleg.net; Michele.Presnell@ncleg.net; Dennis.Riddell@ncleg.net; David.Rogers@ncleg.net; Stephen.Ross@ncleg.net; Jason.Saine@ncleg.net; Wayne.Sasser@ncleg.net; John.Sauls@ncleg.net; Mitchell.Setzer@ncleg.net; Phil.Shepard@ncleg.net; Carson.Smith@ncleg.net; Sarah.Stevens@ncleg.net; Larry.Strickland@ncleg.net; John.Szoka@ncleg.net; John.Torbett@ncleg.net; Rena.Turner@ncleg.net; Harry.Warren@ncleg.net; Donna.White@ncleg.net; Larry.Yarborough@ncleg.net; Lee.Zachary@ncleg.net * Spam filters and the limitations of some email programs may require you to send this message to a smaller list of recipients. If necessary in your case, the above email list is conveniently split into multiple parts to allow you to easily send this message more than once—once to each list.

DELIVER THIS MESSAGE

Suggested Subject: "Republicans Must Protect School Children Now"   Dear Representative, I’m delighted to have learned of the push to amend S5 (School Safety Omnibus) with the entirety of H216 (School Self-Defense Act). The uniting of these two bills would be a wonderful development and is exactly what is required to protect North Carolina’s school children in a practical and effective manner. I have also been informed that S5 has been sent back to the Rules Committee, which would allow for a committee hearing for S5 in the coming days. With the protection of the children in our state’s schools in mind, I must insist that one of two things occur: 1) H216, in its entirety, should be heard on the House floor and receive a vote; or 2) SB5 should be heard in the Rules committee, and H216 should subsequently be allowed as an amendment. Through the work of the Crime Prevention Research Center, with respected researcher Dr. John Lott at its helm, we now have unambiguous, academic studies showing schools that allow teachers and faculty to be armed are much, much safer than their gun-free counterparts. There is just no way around it, allowing adults who are on scene to protect their students in a practical, immediate manner is the only way to effectively save the lives of school children, should the worst occur. With this in mind, Representative, whose side are you on? I know which side I’m on, the side that puts children under an umbrella of genuine protection, an umbrella provided by the responsible adults who surround them. Our state’s school children must be protected. To make this good and proper sentiment a reality, I insist that you push for the uniting of H216 and S5, or a full hearing and vote for H216, that you vote for them in committee (where that may apply), and on the House floor, ultimately voting in favor of protecting school children. I've been informed that GRNC will be tracking votes on the amendment and on the amended bill. Of course, gun owners will also be watching, but perhaps most importantly, concerned parents will be watching. I’ll be monitoring your actions on this matter through alerts from Grass Roots North Carolina. Respectively,

NC HB216 - School Self-Dense Act

Rep. Larry Pittman (R-Cabarrus) introduced HB 216 in February of this year. The School Self-Defense Act would create the position of volunteer school faculty guardian. This would apply to either full or part-time faculty and staff who possessed a valid NC Concealed Handgun Permit. The school faculty guardian would also have to take a special 16-hour training class, submit annual certification of marksmanship and of possessing a CHP to the chief administrator of the school system, keep the handgun concealed unless responding to an act of violence, and submit to an annual drug testing. School systems would have the opportunity to opt out of this program.

Grass Roots North Carolina is urging that people contact Republican legislators and urge them to bring this bill forward. Their alert is below.

DEMAND REPUBLICANS PROTECT NC'S SCHOOLS

H216 is a bill that will allow the true protection of schoolchildren… The anti-gun crowd is content to posthumously praise the brave souls who throw themselves in front of innocents, or charge wicked gunmen in order to save the lives of others. Save lives these courageous people do, and heroes they are. Yet, anyone with exceptional sense would be hard-pressed to come up with a reason why these heroes must always be unarmed, only to be seriously injured or killed while carrying out their valiant acts. Why must the fruitfulness of these acts be so limited? The answer is simple: political leaders and activist groups have set it up that way. Those hostile to the Second Amendment are proud of having disarmed the good guys by creating “gun free” zones in schools and elsewhere, leaving adults and the children in their care to fight psychotic leviathans with staplers and pencils. Well, it doesn’t have to be this way. H216: Genuine School Safety Pro-gun stalwart and GRNC four-star Representative Larry Pittman (Cabarrus, Rowan), is once again at the forefront of the push for a practical and appropriate solution to this societal concern. For the sake of protecting schoolchildren, Rep. Pittman is imploring his Republican colleagues to advance H216 (School Self-Defense Act) to once and for all put responsible adults, those nearest to the schoolchildren during daytime hours, in a position to actually protect those children in a practical and effective manner, should it be necessary. On a volunteer basis, H216 would allow educators to carry concealed firearms to deter mass killings in schools. It is modeled after a federal program to arm professional airline pilots as “Federal Flight Deck Officers.” Have questions? Below are some facts related to this proposal: 25 states allow schools or districts to give permission to individuals to carry guns: Alaska, Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, New Jersey, New York, Utah, Vermont, and West Virginia. At least 14 states allow concealed carry in schools: The states include Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Washington. At least 9 states specifically allow school employees to carry guns on school property: The states include: Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming. Florida created a school marshal system: Florida created a $67 million “school marshal” program to arm teachers in classrooms, in response to the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Arming faculty reduces school shootings: A new study entitled “Schools that Allow Teachers to Carry Guns Are Extremely Safe: Data on the Rate of Shootings and Accidents in Schools that Allow Teachers to Carry found that: Zero school shootings at schools with armed faculty: During hours when armed teachers would logically be present, none of the schools with armed faculty experienced school shootings. A significant increase in school shootings at schools which do NOT allow armed faculty: Between 2001 and 2018, the number of school shootings at schools which did not allow armed faculty more than doubled. You Can Help Protect Schoolchildren Representative Pittman and the other sponsors of H216 need your help. They want to shepherd H216 through the legislative process and get down to the serious (and very sensible) business of actually protecting children in schools, rather than doing everything under the bureaucratic sun to stall. Enough blue-ribbon panels, enough useless gun control proposals. If you’re a parent, you know what parents really want, parents who have real-life children in real-life schools (and incidentally, parents who vote). You want your children protected—really protected—Now! Another “Governor’s Select Committee” isn’t going to cut it. Below, see how you can easily contact Republicans in the NC House to demand that they stop stalling, and get to the serious business of protecting children in schools—now! Insist they do whatever is necessary to move H216 through committee, on to the floor for a vote, so it can move to the NC Senate.   Support "Rights Watch International" Learn more about Rights Watch International You shop. Amazon Gives. (What is Amazon Smile?)

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!

EMAIL REPUBLICANS IN THE NC HOUSE: Use the copy/paste email list provided below, and the copy/paste message provided under ‘Deliver This Message’ section. PLEASE CONTRIBUTE TO GRNC: Help us fight gun control while we promote Second Amendment principles. Please CLICK HERE to contribute. Bear in mind that GRNC is an all-volunteer organization, so you can be sure your donations are put to the best possible use. Any amount helps, and any amount is appreciated. *NC House Republicans Copy/Paste Email List(s): Dean.Arp@ncleg.net; Lisa.Barnes@ncleg.net; John.Bell@ncleg.net; Hugh.Blackwell@ncleg.net; Jamie.Boles@ncleg.net; William.Brisson@ncleg.net; Mark.Brody@ncleg.net; Dana.Bumgardner@ncleg.net; Jerry.Carter@ncleg.net; Debra.Conrad@ncleg.net; Kevin.Corbin@ncleg.net; Ted.Davis@ncleg.net; Jimmy.Dixon@ncleg.net; Josh.Dobson@ncleg.net; Jeffrey.Elmore@ncleg.net; John.Faircloth@ncleg.net; John.Fraley@ncleg.net; Edward.Goodwin@ncleg.net; Holly.Grange@ncleg.net; Destin.Hall@ncleg.net; Kyle.Hall@ncleg.net; Bobby.Hanig@ncleg.net; Jon.Hardister@ncleg.net; Kelly.Hastings@ncleg.net; Cody.Henson@ncleg.net; Craig.Horn@ncleg.net; Julia.Howard@ncleg.net; Chris.Humphrey@ncleg.net; Pat.Hurley@ncleg.net; Frank.Iler@ncleg.net; Steve.Jarvis@ncleg.net; LindaP.Johnson@ncleg.net; Brenden.Jones@ncleg.net; Donny.Lambeth@ncleg.net; David.Lewis@ncleg.net; Pat.McElraft@ncleg.net; Chuck.McGrady@ncleg.net; Allen.McNeill@ncleg.net; Tim.Moore@ncleg.net; Gregory.Murphy@ncleg.net;  Larry.Potts@ncleg.net; Michele.Presnell@ncleg.net;  Dennis.Riddell@ncleg.net; David.Rogers@ncleg.net; Stephen.Ross@ncleg.net; Jason.Saine@ncleg.net; Wayne.Sasser@ncleg.net; John.Sauls@ncleg.net; Mitchell.Setzer@ncleg.net; Phil.Shepard@ncleg.net; Carson.Smith@ncleg.net; Sarah.Stevens@ncleg.net; Larry.Strickland@ncleg.net; John.Szoka@ncleg.net; John.Torbett@ncleg.net; Rena.Turner@ncleg.net; Harry.Warren@ncleg.net; Donna.White@ncleg.net; Larry.Yarborough@ncleg.net; Lee.Zachary@ncleg.net * Limitations of certain email programs and spam filters may require you to send this message to smaller lists. If that is necessary, the above email list is conveniently split into three parts to allow you to easily send this message three times—once to each list.

DELIVER THIS MESSAGE

Suggested Subject: "Enough is enough. Pass H216 to Protect Schoolchildren"   Dear Representative: I am writing today to make it clear that I’ve had it “up to here” with blue-ribbon panels, governor’s select committees, and useless gun control proposals. Every second that ticks by is another second that schoolchildren in North Carolina are not protected in any effective manner from mass shooters. You have the power to change that, and I demand that you do. Right now, H216 (the School Self-Defense Act) is in a position to receive a committee hearing and then move to the floor for an up-or-down vote. This bill would allow educators to carry concealed firearms to deter mass killings in schools, and is modeled after a federal program to arm professional airline pilots as “Federal Flight Deck Officers.” Below is some information that greatly strengthens the case for H216: - 25 states allow schools or districts to give permission to individuals to carry guns. - At least 14 states allow concealed carry in schools. - At least 9 states specifically allow school employees to carry guns on school property. - Florida created a school marshal system in response to the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. - Arming faculty reduces school shootings. Note there have been zero school shootings at schools with armed faculty. During hours when armed teachers would logically be present, none of the schools with armed faculty experienced school shootings. There is a significant increase in school shootings at schools which do NOT allow armed faculty. Between 2001 and 2018, the number of school shootings at schools which did not allow armed faculty more than doubled. The Republican Party still holds a majority in the General Assembly and the excuses are wearing thin. I demand that you do whatever it takes to shepherd H216 through the legislative process. Unfortunately, there is always a lingering possibility of a school shooting. With that in mind, I insist that you do everything you can to make it possible for teachers to protect the children under their care. I will be monitoring your actions on this matter through alerts from Grass Roots North Carolina. Respectfully,

NC Bill Allowing For Armed Teachers Makes Fox News

NC Senate Bill 192, the School Security Act of 2019, was introduced in the General Assembly last week. It would allow for teachers who have completed the Basic Law Enforcement Training program to become "teacher resource officers". They would get a bonus for serving as a teacher resource officer in addition to their normal teaching duties.

As the gun prohibitionists like to say about any gun control bill, "It's a good first step." However, in this case it is the first step in allowing some teachers to be armed in an effort to protect students. The BLET requirement is overboard in that it requires the teacher resource officer to be trained in many things that would be extraneous to actually protecting students. For example, there would be no need for a teacher resource officer to know anything about motor vehicle laws, law enforcement driver training, or traffic crash investigation. That said, it gets our foot in the door.

Retired NC teacher and USMC veteran Jean Fitzsimmons was interviewed on Fox and Friends First regarding arming teachers. Here is what he had to say. Kudos to him to him for getting up that early in the morning and for the mention of Grass Roots North Carolina.

Yes, Thank You Moms Demand Action In NC

Mike Bloomberg, billionaire, former mayor of New York City, erstwhile potential Democrat candidate for President, and funder of all things gun control put out this tweet yesterday evening.

Thank you to every @MomsDemand volunteer here in North Carolina for your leadership. State by state, we’re making progress to pass laws that will save lives, and you all deserve a lot of credit for that. pic.twitter.com/Ni0GmtFK4r

— Mike Bloomberg (@MikeBloomberg) December 19, 2018

Yes, thank you for your continued support of a Jim Crow era law, the pistol purchase permit system, that was intended to keep African-Americans, union members, and Republicans disarmed.

Yes, thank you for your support of red flag laws that turn Due Process on its head and that will get innocent people killed.

Yes, thank you for making our schools less safe by your continued opposition to any policy that would let trained teachers and administrators carry firearms to protect the students under their care.

Yes, thank you for supporting efforts to introduce even more government interference into private affairs by demanding universal background check.

Yes, thank you for all you do to make North Carolina a less safe place for ordinary, law abiding Tar Heels and more safe for criminals who, by definition, ignore the law.

 There is plenty more for which we can thank the North Carolina contingent of Moms Demand Action but saving lives isn't one of them.

GRNC Press Conference In Raleigh On Tuesday

The Demanding Moms can gets lots of turnout to their events because of stay-at-home moms, retirees, and kept women. Well, I don't know about the kept women part but I think the first two are pretty accurate.

Grass Roots North Carolina is holding a press conference in conjunction with Rep. Larry Pittman (R-Cabarrus) on school safety. They need - WE NEED - as many people who can to attend that press conference and especially teachers who want the ability to be armed to protect the school children under their care.

The full release is below:

PRESS CONFERENCE: SCHOOL SELF-DEFENSE ACT

Children will only be safe when adults are permitted to protect them … Tomorrow (Tuesday, 6/5), the sponsors of the “School Self-Defense Act” (HB 1039) will be publicly introducing the bill, and you’re invited. GRNC was involved in creating this bill as well as directing input to the offices of the Speaker and the House Rules Chair, and we’re excited about its introduction. This is GRNC's answer to all of the counterproductive, and worse, gun-grabbing "solutions" proposed by the left. More press conference details below. Parents and especially teachers, please attend this press conference Please RSVP using the following email address: directorofdevelopment@grnc.org Note: Signs are not allowed in the Legislative Building. Calling All Teachers and Parents It is very important that you attend this press conference. Seeing you there will help the General Assembly members recognize that the people are serious about this, and your presence may even help the politicians develop spines. Please see below for details.

PRESS RELEASE: LEGISLATION & PRESS CONFERENCE DETAILS

Bill Provides Active Shooter Protection for Students Legislators herald introduction of House Bill 1039: “School Self-Defense Act” Press conference: When:  Tuesday, June 5 at 11:00 A.M. EDT Where: NC General Assembly, Legislative Building Rm. 1328, 16. W. Jones St., Raleigh, NC Who:    Representatives Larry Pittman, Michael Speciale, John Blust and Mark Brody To deter active shooter scenarios and better protect North Carolina students, North Carolina House Representatives Larry Pittman, Michael Speciale, John Blust and Mark Brody have introduced HB 1039: “School Self-Defense Act,” which is patterned after the Department of Homeland Security’s highly successful “Federal Flight Deck Officer” program and would: Create a “Volunteer School Faculty Guardian” program for full or part-time school faculty members who have concealed handgun permits and wish to carry firearms to protect students; Create an active shooter training program for School Faculty Guardians; and Allow school systems to “opt out" should they choose to do so. Teachers to speak out in favor of HB 1039: The June 5 press conference will allow an opportunity for teachers in favor of arming faculty members, whose voices have long been stifled, to be heard. Said GRNC president Paul Valone: “Too often, politicians have wrongly equated protecting school children with the loss of individual freedom. GRNC thanks these courageous legislators for promoting a solution, already operating successfully in Ohio and elsewhere, which will deter mass killings, allow volunteer faculty members to provide a last layer of defense for school children, and preserve our Constitutional liberties.”

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!

EMAIL THE SPEAKER AND THE RULES COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN. Use the copy/paste details provided under 'Deliver This Message' to insist on a hearing for this bill. ATTEND TUESDAY'S PRESS CONFERENCE: As soon as you can, please contact GRNC at this email address, directorofdevelopment@grnc.org, and let us know you're coming. More details below. This Tuesday, June 5, at 10:30 AM, meet GRNC representatives here: Legislative Building Room 1328 16 W. Jones Street Raleigh, NC 27601 A couple of notes: It’s probably best to arrive in Raleigh by 10:00 AM to make sure you find parking. Please “dress for the press.” Professional attire preferred. Firearms are not allowed on the grounds of the General Assembly. Signs are not allowed in the Legislative Building.

DELIVER THIS MESSAGE

Send to:  Tim.Moore@ncleg.net; David.Lewis@ncleg.net Suggested Subject: "The School Self-Defense Act Must Receive a Hearing"     Dear Speaker Moore and Chairman Lewis: I am writing to insist on a hearing for the "School Self-Defense Act" (HB 1039). I was quite elated when I heard that several courageous legislators have stepped forward to develop a practical and effective solution to the school safety issues we are currently facing. It's about time we stepped out of the endless cycle of rhetoric, and took actual steps to defend our children. This bill, HB 1039, does just that.  Due to the potentially imminent nature of this problem, time is short. Please do not position yourself as the one standing between school children and their safety. Rather, make sure the School Self-Defense Act receives a hearing immediately. NC Parents and Teachers need this, school children need it even more, and that's why I'm insisting on it. I will be monitoring your actions on this issue through alerts from Grass Roots North Carolina.  Respectfully,

HB 1039 - North Carolina's School Self-Defense Act Introduced

House Bill 1039 - School Self-Defense Act - has been introduced into the North Carolina House of Representatives. The bill will have a formal unveiling at a press conference to be held this coming Tuesday at 10:30am in the Legislative Building. The authors of this bill include many pro-gun legislators. Moreover, they sought the input of Grass Roots North Carolina in their drafting of the bill.

From the GRNC Alert:

PRESS CONFERENCE: SCHOOL SELF-DEFENSE ACT

Children will only be safe when adults are permitted to protect them … This Tuesday, the sponsors of the “School Self-Defense Act” (HB 1039) will be publicly introducing the bill, and you’re invited. GRNC was involved in creating this bill as well as directing input to the offices of the Speaker and the House Rules Chair, and we’re excited about its introduction. This is GRNC's answer to all of the counterproductive, and worse, gun-grabbing "solutions" proposed by the left. We all have a stake (an understatement) in protecting school children, so GRNC and the sponsors of this bill would like for those closest to the issue, parents and particularly teachers to attend this unveiling. Parents and especially teachers, please attend this press conference. HB 1039 This bill, sponsored by Representatives Mark Brody, John Blust, George Cleveland, Larry Pittman and Michael Speciale, would allow certain members of school faculty or staff to carry a handgun on school grounds to respond quickly to acts of violence and imminent threats of violence. Finally, a few courageous legislators are stepping outside of the circular rhetoric and are proposing a practical and effective solution that will actually protect the children. Calling All Teachers and Parents It is very important that you attend this press conference. Seeing you there will help the General Assembly members recognize that the people are serious about this, and your presence may even help the politicians develop spines. Please see below for details.

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!

EMAIL THE SPEAKER AND THE RULES COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN. Use the copy/paste details provided under 'Deliver This Message' to insist on a hearing for this bill. ATTEND TUESDAY'S PRESS CONFERENCE: As soon as you can, please contact GRNC at this email address, directorofdevelopment@grnc.org, and let us know you're coming. More details below. This Tuesday, June 5, at 10:30 AM, meet GRNC representatives here: Legislative Building Printed Bills Office 16 W. Jones Street Raleigh, NC 27601 A couple of notes: It’s probably best to arrive in Raleigh by 10:00 AM to make sure you find parking. Please “dress for the press.” Professional attire preferred. Firearms are not allowed on the grounds of the General Assembly.

DELIVER THIS MESSAGE

Send to:  Tim.Moore@ncleg.net; David.Lewis@ncleg.net Suggested Subject: "The School Self-Defense Act Must Receive a Hearing"     Dear Speaker Moore and Chairman Lewis: I am writing to insist on a hearing for the "School Self-Defense Act" (HB 1039). I was quite elated when I heard that several courageous legislators have stepped forward to develop a practical and effective solution to the school safety issues we are currently facing. It's about time we stepped out of the endless cycle of rhetoric, and took actual steps to defend our children. This bill, HB 1039, does just that.  Due to the potentially imminent nature of this problem, time is short. Please do not position yourself as the one standing between school children and their safety. Rather, make sure the School Self-Defense Act receives a hearing immediately. NC Parents and Teachers need this, school children need it even more, and that's why I'm insisting on it. I will be monitoring your actions on this issue through alerts from Grass Roots North Carolina.  Respectfully,

Reminder - NC School Safety Committee Meets In Raleigh On Wednesday

Just as a reminder that the NC Joint Legislative Committee on School Safety meets tomorrow in Raleigh. I've posted a couple of appeals for people to attend at least part of the day. Here is the latest one from GRNC.

If you can be there, be there!

LIBERTY NEEDS YOUR VOICE IN DEVELOPING NC’S SCHOOL SAFETY PLAN

They Urgently Need YOU. Attend the Meeting For School Children's Safety. MEETING DETAILS: WHAT: House Select Committee on School Safety WHEN: Wednesday, March 21, 9:00 AM (arrive an hour early if possible) WHERE: Legislative Office Building, Rm. 643 300 N. Salisbury Street Raleigh, NC (directions: https://www.ncleg.net/help/directions.html) NOTES: Dress for the press. Please dress professionally with no inflammatory slogans or the like on clothing. Arrive early. To deal with any parking issues, and to make sure you get a seat. Arriving at least one hour early is recommended. Here is a link for posting this to social media:  https://www.grnc.org/defend-your-rights/recent-grnc-alerts/996-grnc-alert-03-18-18-help-develop-nc-s-school-safety-plan Wednesday, state legislators are hearing arguments that will inform life-and-death decisions regarding school security.  This Meeting Needs Your Voice - Please be there At the state legislature, the House Select Committee on School Safety will be meeting on Wednesday at 9:00 AM. There may be opportunities for public comments, and it is critical that this not be a one-sided discussion. You Need to be there, or the anti-gun left is going to run the show with your children's lives at stake.  Due to the deadly serious nature of this topic, if you've never been to a committee meeting before, now is the time!  Below, find details on the upcoming meetings. Gun-free Zones: the Psychotic-Killer Loophole The most effective way to reduce mass public shootings is for our elected officials to wise up and eliminate dangerous gun-free zones (GFZs).  Along with improved security provisions, such as fewer unlocked entrances and generally beefed up security, the most effective way to protect school children is to proclaim that any attack will likely be met with rapid armed resistance from an unpredictable source; that source would be teachers and other school personnel.  Remove the ShacklesOf course, teachers who do not want to carry defensive weapons should not be required to. However, the SHACKLES MUST BE removed from those willing to mount effective resistance should the worst occur.

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!
EMAIL THE REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE MEMBERS: CLICK HERE to generate one of two email messages, and then CLICK HERE to send an email to the other half of the committee Republicans. After each click, check your email program. An email should have been generated for you. Simply add you name to the bottom and hit ‘send.’  (This 'click' method likely won't work with gmail. Please use the delivery method/information listed under 'Deliver This Message' if using gmail).  If an email was not generated automatically, or wasn’t generated properly, send the email using the copy/paste email list and the copy/paste text provided below, under ‘Deliver This Message.’ ATTEND THE SCHOOL SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING: It’s critical that the public be involved in these meetings, especially because it’s the safety of the citizenry’s own children that is being debated. Practical and effective solutions from concerned citizens like you must be discussed, and ought to dominate the conversation. But without you there to speak, or at least to support the speakers by your presence, that may not happen. Please attend. Find the meeting details below.
DELIVER THIS MESSAGE
Copy/Paste email List(s):  Allen.McNeill@ncleg.net, Bill.Brawley@ncleg.net, Brenden.Jones@ncleg.net, Chris.Malone@ncleg.net, Cody.Henson@ncleg.net, Craig.Horn@ncleg.net, Dana.Bumgardner@ncleg.net, David.Lewis@ncleg.net, Donna.White@ncleg.net, Donny.Lambeth@ncleg.net, Harry.Warren@ncleg.net, Holly.Grange@ncleg.net, Jamie.Boles@ncleg.net, Jason.Saine@ncleg.net, Jeffrey.Elmore@ncleg.net, Jimmy.Dixon@ncleg.net, John.Bell@ncleg.net, John.Faircloth@ncleg.net, John.Torbett@ncleg.net, Josh.Dobson@ncleg.net, Justin.Burr@ncleg.net, Kelly.Hastings@ncleg.net, Larry.Strickland@ncleg.net, Linda.Johnson2@ncleg.net, Nelson.Dollar@ncleg.net, Pat.Hurley@ncleg.net, Sarah.Stevens@ncleg.net, Stephen.Ross@ncleg.net, Ted.Davis@ncleg.net *Due to the limitations of some email programs and some spam filtering systems, it may be best to send this email in multiple groups. Use the copy/paste emails above, as separated into groups, to send the message to the respective set of recipients. Suggested Subject:  "For School Safety: End Gun-Free Zones"   Dear Committee Member: I am writing today in reference to your service on the House Select Committee on School Safety. Since the recent disturbing events in Florida, all the usual gun-control voices have called for all the usual ineffective and unconstitutional schemes. None of these useless and ominous notions are acceptable, and I insist that you not lend them credence during your upcoming committee meetings. I do expect you to discuss school security concepts that are actually effective and will truly result in the protection of school children. Removing the shackles from school employees who have concealed handgun permits would be the simplest and most effective solution. The legislature could do this almost immediately by removing the dangerous gun-free zone (GFZ) status from school buildings and grounds. Teachers and other school staff are no danger to students. If they were, we wouldn’t allow them unfettered, daily access to our children. Yet, the threat of swift armed resistance from an unpredictable source is a highly effective deterrent. This is why a full 98% of all mass public shooting since 1950 have occurred in so-called “gun-free” zones. Should the worst occur, teachers defending their students with deadly force is not such a terrible thing when you imagine the alternative. Indeed, no imagination is necessary, as recent events have shown us exactly what the alternative looks like. A large number of teachers are already willing and ready for classroom carry. A recent Elon University Poll of North Carolina teachers (which skewed heavily Democrat) revealed that roughly 20% of teachers are open to the idea of concealed handguns in the classroom. Consider that the number of every day citizens who legally carry a gun in our state is something less than 10%. This means the number of teachers willing to consider classroom carry is at least twice the number in the general population who already carry a handgun. This is great news, and further evidence that dangerous GFZs have run their course.  Our children’s very lives are at stake. I demand that your time on the School Safety committee be used to consider and implement only practical and effective policies. I will be monitoring your actions on this matter through Grass Roots North Carolina legislative alerts. Respectfully,