Dear Second Amendment Supporters:

"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."  "Often imitated, never duplicated."  AstroTurf.  Johnny-come-lately.  These are the thoughts that enter my mind when I hear that two interloping, wannabe gun rights organizations are emailing and mailing Second Amendment supporters in North Carolina asking for email addresses, contact information, "signatures" on meaningless "petitions", and money.  As I learn about these attempts to create confusion in the gun-rights community purportedly for financial gain, I am galled by their brazenness and sincerely hope you are not confused by their tactics.

It has come to my attention that upstart North Carolina Gun Rights (with the eerily familiar acronym "NCGR") and the fledgling North Carolina Firearms Coalition ("NCFC") have sent more emails and, in NCFC's case, letters, which also look eerily familiar, to Second Amendment supporters across North Carolina.  To be 100% clear, neither of these organizations are affiliated with Grass Roots North Carolina.  I repeat, NCGR and NCFC are not part of nor are connected to GRASS ROOTS NORTH CAROLINA, aka the-one-and-only GRNC.

As GRNC president Paul Valone explained in his letters on February 3 "Is NC Gun Rights' a fraud?", February 21 "More Lies About HB 69", and March 11 "Which constitutional carry bill is better?" the new wannabes have NO history in North Carolina and have produced NO results.  The wannabes have facilitated NO legislation and are doing NOTHING to advance Second Amendment rights in our state.  Conversely, many of their actions are detrimental, create noise, and add distractions that are a drag on advancing gun-rights in our state.

What have the wannabes been doing during this legislative session?  They have been emailing like there is no tomorrow asking for your personal contact information, which personal information has a value if sold, and begging you for money to support their "efforts".

Why is this?  It appears the wannabes have no intention to further the Second Amendment in North Carolina -- rather their actions apparently support a business model for financial gain.  The Second Amendment is merely a tool for the wannabes to rile up supporters and motivate you to send money and provide personal information.  This appears to be an attempt to create confusion as a means to financially exploit the accomplishments, reputation, members, and supporters of GRNC while trading on GRNC's good name.

In the meantime, what has GRNC been doing during this legislative session?  We have been busy in Raleigh and across the state and you have seen the results:

• You have received numerous recent alerts asking you to email NC General Assembly House representatives in support of meaningful gun rights improvements (NOT asking for email addresses, signatures on worthless "petitions", and pressing for money).

• You have received the above alerts sometimes in real-time with bills being filed -- there is no way for that to happen without GRNC volunteers being plugged into the process.

• Paul Valone and I have had personal contact with numerous legislators this session (none of them are working or coordinating with the wannabes).

• You have seen GRNC actively support: constitutional carry measures, UNC and community college concealed carry, pistol permit elimination and others.

• GRNC has drafted pro-gun bills, some of which have not yet been introduced.

• GRNC volunteers have been in frequent face-to-face and direct communications on your behalf with legislators and staff regarding Second Amendment improvements to be introduced and passed in this legislative session. (How many volunteers do the wannabes have on the ground in Raleigh each week?  Zero?)

• GRNC held its open annual and board meetings in February to update you on what your GRNC has accomplished and the plans for 2017 (Have you been invited to an open meeting for the wannabes?)
  

Let me share with you a quick story.  In 2007, I moved to the Great State of North Carolina from the People's Republic of New York then ruled by "Emperor Spitzer" (who ultimately resigned in disgrace in 2008).  After settling in, I looked for a powerful Second Amendment rights group to join.  While looking for such a group, I consulted my state senator who told me -- his words -- I was looking for Grass Roots North Carolina -- because nothing related to the Second Amendment or gun-rights happens in North Carolina without GRNC making it happen and supporting it.  Thinking this too good to be true, I checked GRNC's record since it's creation in 1994 and was truly impressed.  I emailed GRNC's president, received a prompt call from Paul Valone, and the rest is history.  I have been a proud GRNC member and volunteer ever since.

Why do I share that story?  To confirm for you that GRNC is the real deal.  I have been involved in many advocacy and political groups.  GRNC is without question the best.  All volunteer; no paid officers, directors, or staff; true GRASS ROOTS support from members, volunteers, and supporters like you; pure, no-compromise support for the Second Amendment since 1994; operating on a shoe-string budget -- all to ensure our liberty and natural-born and constitutional rights are protected and preserved forever.

Are you a proud member and supporter of GRNC, a patriot, and a promoter of liberty, our Constitution, and the Second Amendment?  If so, do not be misled by the wannabes.  As I wrote at the beginning tweaked a little for this situation, "recently imitated, never duplicated", "thanks for the imitation and the flattery", WE ARE, GRASS ROOTS NORTH CAROLINA!

Yours in defense of the Second Amendment,

 
Don Pomeroy
Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer
GRASS ROOTS NORTH CAROLINA

P.S. If you are wondering, yes, I understand the irony of this post script.  That said, being the “real deal”, GRNC requires funding to accomplish its goals and to protect and expand your Second Amendment rights.  Please visit GRNC.ORG today to make a contribution, large or small, renew your GRNC membership, or become a GRNC member and help ensure constitutional carry and other gun-rights improvement are passed this year!

As you know, GRNC is an all volunteer force. As such, we are looking for volunteers in a couple of areas:

• WEB DEVELOPMENT
  Experience in web development to include HTML, CSS & Java Scripting. If interested, contact GRNC President using the following contact form: http://www.grnc.org/contact

• ALERT WRITING
  Solid writing skills, ability to translate legal, political, technical and firearms jargon into layman's terms and make the public care about the issue. Ability to manipulate HTML style emails on the code level is a nice to have. If interested, please contact GRNC using this e-mail address: alert@grnc.org
  

If you have these skills, you can help the Second Amendment fight by enhancing and expanding GRNC’s presence, ensuring our message is received broadly in these modern times.

Don’t let your talents go to waste, as you could be the difference between gun-rights advancements and gun-rights losses.

Be the person who says, “I did something!” Instead of the person who says, “I should have done something.”

Support these PRO RKBA merchants who, as GRNC sponsors, are supporting your Second Amendment rights:

Ed's Gun Shop: 5560 US 1 Hwy, Vass, NC 28394. 910-692-7936 (Phone) 910-692-4867 (Fax)

Carolina Sporting Arms: 8055 South Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28273; 704.554.9511;
The Carolinas' destination for quality firearms and exceptional customer service for over 20 years. We specialize in firearms and firearms-related products with unmatched expertise to help both beginners and experienced shooters find the right products to meet their needs. Charlotte's only Five-Star indoor range! http://csaguns.com/

The Range at Lake Norman, 704-896-3155, www.therangeatlakenorman.com

Hyatt Gun Shop, 3332 Wilkinson Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28208, 704-394-0387, www.hyattguns.com

Tigerswan Range Complex (TRC), World class outdoor shooting range that meets & exceeds the new Cumberland County range requirements. Built by former members of the elite "DELTA FORCE". 2850 Tigerswan Drive, Autryville, NC 28318. 910-208-4117 - tigerswan.com

Carolina Shooters Club, The largest/ most active Online firearms community in the Carolinas. Come join the discussions with our firearms enthusiasts and trainers. We have dedicated sections for the ladies, training topics, political and 2A-related issues. www.carolinashootersclub.com

37 Public Shooting Range & Gun Club, 1333 Loop Road, Bunnlevel, NC 28323, 910-893-9887, www.range37.com

Point Blank Range, 743 River Highway, Mooresville, NC 28117, 704-230-0262, www.PointBlankRange.com

C & E Gun Shows, 4225 Fortress Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24060; Phone 540-953-0016 or 888-715-0606; www.cegunshows.com/

Dixie Gun and Knife Shows, PO Box 21049, Raleigh, NC 27619, ph: 919-781-1287, www.dixiegunandknifeshow.com/

NCGunOwners.com, North Carolina's friendliest firearm smartphone app and web forum, working to promote gun ownership in NC www.NCGunOwners.com

Handgunners, Inc., 4325 NC Hwy 49 South, Burlington, NC 27215, (336) 570-1015 www.handgunners.com

Sterling Pistols, custom pistols, FFL transfers, general repairs, Glock enhancements, 704-840-7625

Reedy Creek Realty, 1818 Medfield Road, Raleigh, NC 27607, 1-877-428-SOLD(7653), NRA / CHP Instructor & Realtor serving the Triangle area, Free Firearm With Home Sale or Purchase!, http://www.ReedyCreekRealty.com

Take Aim Training, Outdoor Range located in the heart of the Carolinas. Education; NC & SC firearms sales and transfers; 980-722-3787, 704-764-7960, takeaimtraining@aol.com

The Blue Book Man and Firearms' Guide www.thefirearmsguide.com

Down South Ammo, Home of "SOUTHERN THUNDER" Exploding Targets, http://southernthundertargets.com

Holsters & Stuff, 4048 Sherwood Forest Drive, Trinity, NC 27370, (336) 313-6167 www.holstersandstuff.com

DoubleD Media, 8300 Raintree Lane, Charlotte, NC 28277, ph: 704-650-5555, fx: 704-544-0326 donna@doubledme.com

Gunner's Alley, LLC, 203 N. Harrison Ave., Ste. 130, Cary, NC 27513, www.gunnersalley.com, 919-388-1991, contact: Ed Guerriero, ed@gunnersalley.com

Mike Kent and Associates, LLC, PO Box 685, Monroe, Georgia 30655, Mike@MKShows.com, 770-630-7296

The Aisle Pawn Shop, 216 N. Main St., Mooresville, NC 28115, 704-663-5656

Duncan Gun & Pawn, 414 Second St., North Wilkesboro, NC 28659, 336-667-6303, www.duncangun.com

Shooter's Express, 2 Caldwell Dr., Belmont, NC 28012, 800-358-GUNS, www.shootersexpress.com

Vanguard Security Consulting, LLC, 19135 W. Catawba Ave, Cornelius, NC 28031