Agenda - 04-05-2016 - 6-a - Minutes

Browse Search

12 1 Asheville. This year we saw to it out State Preemption Statue was toughened to allow for our 2 recovery of the cost to successfully litigate such matters. Rather than persist in an adversarial 3 relationship with your citizens, I suggest you follow the examples of Pitt, Person and Wilkes 4 counties who all just repealed such firearms restrictions in county facilities and parks, choosing 5 to trust their citizens instead of useless "magic signs". 6 While you're at it, Commissioners, demonstrate to your Orange County residents and 7 visitors you really do support rights, freedoms and trust citizens by repealing your knee jerk, 20 8 year old prohibition on lawful firearms in all other County facilities and buildings as well. 9 Counties across this State, including Alamance, Ashe, Cherokee, Cabarrus, Forsyth, Rowan 10 and Union have all done so in the prior year. Today, nearly 500,000 North Carolina concealed 11 carry permit holders have proven themselves safe, sane, and sober in their conduct...including, 12 now, Parks, places that charge admission, places that serve alcohol, and school parking lots. 13 Asked your, or any, Sheriff about the backlog of new applicants awaiting their concealed carry 14 permits for the very first time. We all vote....and we "Remember in November". 15 Commissioners, table this unnecessary study today, and instead take necessary action 16 to comply with State Law. Show support for responsible gun rights in Orange County instead of 17 irrational suppression of the same. 18 Thank you. 19 20 Jack Hunnell said he owns a small business off of St. Mary's Road, and lives close by. 21 He said the agenda item has to do with firearms safety, noise violation, and the protection of 2nd 22 Amendment rights. He said he would like to see the name of the committee reflect all of these 23 concerns. He said he would like to understand the balance of the committee, how many 24 members, and how they are appointed. He said he is not opposed to a Commissioner being a 25 part of the group. He said is interested in being on the committee. 26 Chair McKee said there is an application to participate and instructed Mr. Hunnell to 27 speak to the Clerk. 28 Ashley Desena seconded the remarks of the previous speakers. She said she is in 29 agreement with the new composition of the committee, but she hopes that all members would 30 be residents and others could be technical staff. She said she thought there were not enough 31 regular residents involved in these types of discussions. She expressed concern about having 32 law enforcement writing laws. She said she hoped that the committee is widely publicized in 33 the community. She agreed that changing the committee's name is a good idea. 34 Manford Stanfield said he strongly opposed the committee and its purpose, and existing 35 laws are sufficient. 36 Sara Conti said she and her husband are residents of Orange County, and have been 37 living in the shadow of a shooting range for several years, and it is terrifying. She said she 38 would like to be considered for the committee. She said they do not have a problem with 39 shooting, just the shooting range. 40 Michael Derling said he thought the committee is a good idea. He said he is not 41 opposed to guns, but they are dangerous, and safety should always be the main concern. He 42 said he owns guns, and it is important to give people guidance on the issue of shooting. He 43 said the facilitator would be the most important person in this group. 44 Missy Foy said she is surprised that there are objections to having this committee. She 45 said there are people here tonight that were too intimidated to attend the last meeting and she 46 herself has been threatened since the last meeting. She said safety should trump convenience 47 and firearms kill people. She said even to suggest that the gun ownership group was 48 intimidated two weeks ago is grossly false. She agreed that a facilitator is necessary. 49 Robert Smith said he has lived in Orange County for 68 years, and there have never 50 been gun issues before. He said safety is common sense but they still have a 2nd amendment.