CMPD relents on 'Gun Show Purchase Form'

At the last two Charlotte gun shows, GRNC learned that Chief Rodney Monroe, of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), was attempting to unlawfully record gun sales. Monroe had concocted a “CMPD Gun Show Gun Purchase Form” and had CMPD officers distributing this form at gun shows, demanding its use by dealers purchasing guns from individuals. Internal CMPD communications suggested intent to apply the form to private sales as well. The use of this form would have effectively created a gun and gun-owner registry. Worse, promoters speculated the requirement might spread to other cities.

GRNC 'F.O.G.' LETTER TO CMPD

The “CMPD Gun Show Gun Purchase Form” was distributed under the pretense of applying a statute for “Pawnbrokers and Cash Converters.” The only problem is, vendors and private individuals at gun shows are neither Pawnbrokers nor Cash Converters. Immediately upon learning of the scheme, GRNC president Paul Valone fired off a letter to Chief Monroe to inform him, in no uncertain terms, that the requirement was unlawful and would not be tolerated. Valone cited the law and clearly explained its true meaning. He insisted that the CMPD cease this unauthorized activity immediately, or face legal action from GRNC. (To see the full letter, go to:  http://grnc.org/grnc-goes-after-local-government-transgressors)

CMPD BLINKS

We are happy to report that Chief Monroe blinked: According to a conciliatory and apologetic call from CMPD Maj. Mike Smathers, CMPD will stop using the form. Facing the threat of legal action, Chief Monroe saw the light, and has agreed to immediately end his illegal data collection at gun shows.

GRNC is pleased to be able to claim victory in this critical battle to ensure cities comply with the law. If this effort by the CMPD was not nipped in the bud, this overreach of police authority may very well have spread to other areas of the state. Said Valone to the media: "We are here to deliver a message that the days when North Carolina bureaucrats could ignore the law and run their own private fiefdoms are over."

Raleigh retreats on illegal parks signs, but more action is required

'Raleigh backs away from gun sign showdown'

So read a headline in Saturday's Raleigh "News & Observer" after GRNC president Paul Valone sent a letter to the Mayor Nancy McFarlane, the Raleigh City Council and Raleigh city attorney informing them that if they failed to remove now-illegal signs prohibiting concealed carry in city parks, they would face litigation. (To see the full letter, go to:  http://grnc.org/grnc-goes-after-local-government-transgressors) Laughably, the city had been telling complainants for nearly two years that it was too expensive to replace signs, and that they would be removed or replaced only during routine maintenance.

The letter immediately swept through the media, making news not only in the October 25 N&O and numerous local TV stations, but even Glenn Beck's TheBlaze.com. Most amusing was the N&O's pathetic attempt to defend Raleigh's non-compliance with the law.

Once again, however, when bureaucrats felt the heat, they saw the light: Late Friday, Raleigh Parks and Recreation Director Diane Sauer ceded ground by allowing that stand-alone "no concealed carry" signs would be removed, but multi-notice signs would be changed only on a regular maintenance cycle.

TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE

So two years after GRNC changed the parks law and one month after we further expanded concealed carry in parks, and only under both public pressure and threat of litigation, Raleigh deigns to remove SOME of its illegal signs. Does that seem acceptable to you, or does it sound like bureaucrats rationing your rights by  telling you which you may or may not exercise?

• EMAIL & CALL RALEIGH MAYOR NANCY McFARLANE: Deliver the message below to laugh at Raleigh’s excuse that it is too expensive to comply with a law as nearly every other city in the state has done.

• EMAIL THE RALEIGH CITY COUNCIL: Deliver the same message to them.

• TELL THE N&O TO DISPLAY A LITTLE INTELLECTUAL HONESTY, rather than defending city non-compliance with a law they happen to dislike. Register comments to their outrageous editorial entitled "It's a waste to remove parks signs banning guns in Raleigh" (http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/10/25/3312421/its-a-waste-to-remove-park-signs.html)

• DONATE TO GRNC: Victories like the one against the CMPD’s overreach are fuel to keep our volunteers motivated. However, every e-mail, postcard, phone call, letter and GRNC event costs money. As they say, freedom isn’t free. As GRNC volunteers work hard to ensure that your gun freedom continues to be properly recognized and maintained, please consider making a donation to help pay for the tools needed to battle the anti-gun crowd, and to continue to secure gun freedom in North Carolina. To contribute, click here, click the red button below (or go to: http://www.grnc.org/join-grnc/contribute).

CONTACT INFO

Mayor McFarlane:

E-mail Addresses:

mayorstaff@raleighnc.gov; nancy.mcfarlane@raleighnc.gov

Phone:

919-996-3050

City Council Members (copy & paste e-mail list):

councilstaff@raleighnc.gov; thomas.crowder@raleighnc.gov; bonner.gaylord@raleighnc.gov; john.odom@raleighnc.gov; randall.stagner@raleighnc.gov; mary-ann.baldwin@raleighnc.gov; russ.stephenson@raleighnc.gov; eugene.weeks@raleighnc.gov

DELIVER THIS MESSAGE

Suggested Subject: "Remove Illegal Signs"

Dear Mayor McFarlane and City Council Members:

Even under public pressure and threat of litigation, Raleigh Parks and Recreation Director Diane Sauer says the city will only remove *some* of its illegal signs prohibiting lawful concealed carry in parks. Should "partial compliance" serve as a model for Raleigh citizens? May I only partially comply with city ordinances? Perhaps I will comply with Raleigh's noise ordinance only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Sauer cites cost of replacing the signs as the rationale for non-compliance. Of course, other cities have simply affixed stickers over the "no firearms" language on their signs. Indeed, the problem could be solved with a $3.00 roll of duct tape.

But I recognize times are tough, and I want to help. So if a public statement is not made by a representative of the City of Raleigh by Tuesday (October 29, 2013) that signs will be suitably removed or altered in a timely fashion, I will assume that Raleigh is in such poor financial shape that that it can't comply. Accordingly, I will *personally* send you a roll of duct tape to cover the offending language.

In a campaign orchestrated by Grass Roots North Carolina, I am sure you will receive many hundreds -- perhaps thousands of rolls of duct tape, particularly once the effort goes "viral" nationwide. Given the inevitable media circus, others will doubtless become aware of Raleigh's plight and they too will be motivated to render assistance.

It will be a pleasure to help Raleigh resolve its dilemma. Rest assured I will stay apprised of this issue via Grass Roots North Carolina legislative alerts.

Respectfully,

Can you donate $50? $25? Even $10? Donations of any amount are considered generous, and are greatly appreciated!