Red Clay Citizen

NC Congressmen Vote For Guns in Parks

Following up on the letter from Congressional Democrats opposing the reintroduction of the Assault Weapons Ban, North Carolina's trio of of signatories(Reps. Shuler, Kissel and McIntyre) were joined by Rep. Bob Etheridge in voting to support the law abiding carrying of concealed firearms in National Parks and wildlife refuges.  The vote came down last week as part of a larger bill to overhaul credit cards.

The change in policy brings the National Park Service into compliance with the existing policy to allow citizens to be armed in National Forests and areas under the Bureau of Land Management.

Why would you need to be armed with a concealed weapon in a park?  I'm glad you asked that question.  The Nat. Park Service's recent report revealed that 11 murders, 35 rapes, 61 robberies and 261 aggravated assaults occurred on parklands in 2006, alone. 

I had a near brush with violence in a National Forest many years ago during a hiking trip that gave me pause to think on the issue.  Linville Gorge was the location of a double homicide back in 1998.  Two campers were murdered after my group had been there.  You always have to ask yourself, would you be ready for the worst case scenario?

Prior to the final vote on the bill, the media had a fun time lampooning gun tooting campers with cartoons like the one that ran in the Raleigh News & Observer.  The only problems is that there are places in this country (usually outside of the beltline in Raleigh) where bears are not satisfied with just stealing your picnic basket like yogi. Between April and December 2007 there were at least a dozen bear attacks reported by park visitors.

The new law opens 13 NPS sites and 10 NWR sites in North Carolina to armed visitors.  A similiar bill that would apply to state parks was filed this year but failed to make the crossover deadline.

All in all, it is refreshing to see bipartisan cooperation in extending freedom to law abiding citizens. 

Two Gun Bills Up In Raleigh Committee Tuesday

Despite the slow pace of conservative legislation at the Legislature this session, the issue of the right to keep and bear arms (RKBA) has somehow managed to slip through the the liberal dominated North Carolina General Assembly.

Case in point; two bills will be heard in committee on Tuesday that could break the liberal legislative logjam.  The NC Senate Judiciary II Committee is scheduled to hear HB 473 and HB 1132 at 10am.

HB473 is a fairly mild carry bill that follows in the footsteps of a law passed last session that gave judges the authority to carry concealed in the their courthouse.  This year's version would allow magistrates with a valid carry permit to carry their concealed pistol into a courthouse so long as the magistrate is on the clock. 

HB 1132 addresses a problem in the concealed carry renewal process.  After nearly 14 years of having a concealed carry permit system without the shoot outs in the streets predicted by the anti-gun left, some permit holders still run into trouble when they go to get a renewal of their permit. This bill would allow the  permit holder to apply for a renewal of the permit within 30 days of its expiration. The permit would also be valid until the renewal is officially approved or denied.  This helps ensure that there is no gap in coverage by the permit.

For more information on the committee meeting on Tuesday, check out the National Rifle Association's website.

NC Democrats Speak Out Against Gun Ban

Apparently some elected democrats have figured out just what a political porcupine gun rights truly is.

Congressmen Mike McIntyre, Heath Shuler, and Larry Kissel have signed a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder chastising him for his remarks about reviving the so-called assault weapons ban.

The letter has some pretty clear language that will be quite a head scratcher for many liberals that supported Kissel, in particular. Take a look at the following:

"The gun control community has intentionally misled many Americans into believing that these weapons are fully automatic machine guns. They are not." (emphasis mine)

"Law-abiding Americans use these guns for all of the same reasons they use any other kind of gun - competitive shooting, hunting and defending their homes and families."

"A long and devise fight over gun control will only distract us..."

Words have value but the proof will be seen in the votes of these three congressmen.  One opportunity may come soon.  Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma has attached an amendment to a credit card reform bill that will allow the carrying of concealed weapons in national parks.

I reccommend reading the letter in its entirety.

Long Lines for Guns & Ammo

A regularly scheduled gun show was held this weekend at the NC State Fairgrounds in Raleigh and the media estimated 8,000 people showed up to buy firearms, ammunition and accessories.  That's a larger attendance than any of the North Carolina Tea Parties that I heard of.

Once again, all of the credit goes to the National Gun Salesman of the Year.

The reality behind this run on guns is that Joe Sixpack is convinced that Obama will take away his guns.  And little wonder give statements by the Attorney General.

Keep your powder dry partners.  The may be something coming down the pike that you might not like.

NC Conservative Icon Peter Batton Passes

Anytime in the last 40 years whenever a conservative made a move in North Carolina they were more than likely photographed by Peter Batton.  (That's Pete on the right, of course, with Retired Chief Justice I. Beverly Lake.) Despite battling chronic illness from his childhood and cancer later in life, Batton served the people of North Carolina as a probation officer and later chronicled the rise of the conservative movement that led to North Carolina becoming a two party state. 

I remember an event late in Senator Jesse Helms' career where he was being honored.  As always, Peter was there, camera in hand, recording the occasion for posterity.  After taking many, many photos of the senator with the crowd, Helms loooked up at Batton and asked, "Peter, old friend, how long have you been taking my picture?"  Batton responded that it had been quite a while.  Helms then said, "You know, I don't believe I have a picture of you.  If you trust someone else to hold that camera, let's get you in a picture for my desk."  With those kind words from the conservative leader of the US Senate, Peter's face lit up and he came to Helms' side for a most memorable picture.  I would love to have a copy of that picture to remember two great men with.

When I heard of Peter's passing, I had to remember that he wasn't indestructible.  His health had betrayed him but that tough, old bird would not let it slow him down.  He continued to take pictures of candidates, senators and leaders.  Peter was Civitas' photographer for any occasion.  When we hosted a dinner with Michael Reagan, I was not quick enough to get into a photo for Peter's liking and his directorial talents took over.  He always made sure to get the shot right.  We will miss Peter and so will the conservative movement in North Carolina.  I'll bet he's having a conversation with ol' Jess right now.

PETER CASE BATTON (1942-2009)

Peter Case "Raw Hyde" Batton, 66, of 4924 Knightsbridge Way, died Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at his home after years of declining health. Peter was born April 21, 1942, a native of Wilson County, to the late Ernest Batton and Eloise Case Batton. He retired from the NC State Department of Corrections as a probation officer with 28 years of service. He was also widely known for his photography of wildlife and political functions.

Memorial Service: 7:00 pm, Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at L. Harold Poole Funeral Service Chapel, 944 Old Knight Road, Knightdale, NC 27545 with Jim Hastings officiating.

The family will receive relatives and friends immediately following the service.

Surviving: Wife: Mary Ellen "Nicky" Batton Daughter: Eloise Brinson of Asheville

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to CCNC Dedicated to the Fight Fund, 4101 Macon Pond Road, Raleigh, NC 27607. Please send condolences to the family here.

Obama Sells Guns

I saw this poster from a gun store the other day and had to laugh.  Barack Obama has sold more guns than any other salesman this year.  Way to motivate the people, Oh Great Leader!

News reports continue to show guns flying off of the shelves.

“We literally started doing a week’s business — or more — every day starting then,” a salesman said in the article.

When I brought this subject up here last, the Loonies on the extreme Left called me paranoid (and also complained about the drawing being darkened in some sort of conservative plot.)

Unfortunately for the Loonies, the data about gun sales is true and your Great Leader made it happen.Try to think of it as one the few areas where Obama has stimulated the economy, if that makes you feel better.