"Ghost gun" story

"I represent lawful gun owners. Lawful gun owners don't have to make their own firearms," said Marc Erickson.

Still, no one has shown where this was taken out of context. With Marc's years of media and technical experience, he should be able to easily show where his words were twisted.
 
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I just spent the day with my father in the ER, and now I come home to read more of the same garbage from posers who claim to be staunch defenders of the 2A.... :mad:

I didn’t spend my Memorial Day holiday by the pool relaxing, or in a comfortable bed sleeping in. I spent it volunteering my time to help defend our rights. Then I spent today in a hospital wondering why my father was having so much trouble breathing...

Folks you should know by now without question, that the media lies. You shouldn’t think, blink or pee without the phrase “fake news” running thru your mind.:rolleyes:

Winston Salem has 8 gunshows a year and that’s huge commitment to make for one person. Yet I do it for free, losing money in the process, to be the source you need. I put my talent to use, defending your rights.

I’m going to abandon this forum for anything other that the “for sale” section.
 
I just spent the day with my father in the ER, and now I come home to read more of the same garbage from posers who claim to be staunch defenders of the 2A.... :mad:

I didn’t spend my Memorial Day holiday by the pool relaxing, or in a comfortable bed sleeping in. I spent it volunteering my time to help defend our rights. Then I spent today in a hospital wondering why my father was having so much trouble breathing...

Folks you should know by now without question, that the media lies. You shouldn’t think, blink or pee without the phrase “fake news” running thru your mind.:rolleyes:

Winston Salem has 8 gunshows a year and that’s huge commitment to make for one person. Yet I do it for free, losing money in the process, to be the source you need. I put my talent to use, defending your rights.

I’m going to abandon this forum for anything other that the “for sale” section.
Sorry to hear about your father. I hope he's doing well.

You won't find any stronger supporters of the 2A than the fine members on this forum. All we have asked for is an explanation of Marc's comment. His comment was a direct insult to anyone that has ever legally built a firearm from an 80% lower.

Abandoning the forum, except for the "for sale" section, is your choice. I wish you well.
 
I just spent the day with my father in the ER, and now I come home to read more of the same garbage from posers who claim to be staunch defenders of the 2A.... :mad:

I didn’t spend my Memorial Day holiday by the pool relaxing, or in a comfortable bed sleeping in. I spent it volunteering my time to help defend our rights. Then I spent today in a hospital wondering why my father was having so much trouble breathing...

Folks you should know by now without question, that the media lies. You shouldn’t think, blink or pee without the phrase “fake news” running thru your mind.:rolleyes:

Winston Salem has 8 gunshows a year and that’s huge commitment to make for one person. Yet I do it for free, losing money in the process, to be the source you need. I put my talent to use, defending your rights.

I’m going to abandon this forum for anything other that the “for sale” section.

I hope your Father recovers.

I will say a pray for him.
 
@MadMan4Ever, very sorry to hear about your father and hopes for a speedy recovery.

Please take a look at the feedback you are getting here, rather than dismissing it. The folks here are passionate about 2a just like you are. That's why there is so much discussion about this. You have valuable feedback, a great offer to help from @TheWallrus, and the people here would be a great ally/partner/resource for GRNC and 2a issues if you can engage them.
My intention is constructive, not divisive. Think about the resource you have here, wanting to engage an organization like GRNC, and wanting to fight for 2a. Think about why GRNC is not succeeding in engaging these folks. It's got to be a 2 way street, but it feels like GRNC is asking for help, but then not engaging that help, and not being willing to consider any opinion but your own.
 
Guys,
I'm not tap dancing or being evasive. I have sent Marc a link to this thread and asked him to respond directly. I don't know if he will. I don't even know if a full transcript is available. I had hoped my measured response would be acceptable. Madman is 100% correct, and anyone who believes that the media is honestly reporting facts rather than what fits their political narrative should reconsider the position.

I hope everyone will continue to promote gun rights in whatever manner they feel will be most effective.
 
Madman is 100% correct, and anyone who believes that the media is honestly reporting facts rather than what fits their political narrative should reconsider the position.

We are all well aware that the media is dishonest in their reporting. We are also aware of Marc's statement.

It's good to see that you decided not to abandon the forum except for the "for sale" section. Or, was that taken out of context?
 
GRNC issued a press release. I may not have posted it, and if so I apologize. Like the rest of GRNC's "leadership/staff/core group of volunteers," I occasionally get overwhelmed with work (I travel heavily out of state weekly, have a family, a home and a farm to maintain-I miss stuff.

If anyone is willing to help please let me know and email me at [email protected] or go to our website for a list of volunteer opportunities <https://www.grnc.org/defend-your-rights/volunteer-for-grnc> . Reviewing this thread, I see there have been some offers extended, apparently I missed it.

It might be worth considering some of the accomplishments <https://www.grnc.org/home/about-grnc/grnc-accomplishments> we (GRNC including all the activist who help by responding to our alerts and contributed to the cause) have achieved during the course of our activism.

As for the suggestion to "dump Marc" I feel that is an unfair request for several reasons. Marc does a lot for this organization and brings years of media and technical experience for no compensation; he does a lot of good. He would leave a vacuum that would be difficult if not impossible to fill.

Gun Rights are a sensitive and emotional subject for both sides. Some organizations have tried compromise and it has failed. Every compromise is a concession of our rights going back to the 1934 NFA, the 1968 gun control act, 1986 firearms protection act and the list goes on. When we have an opportunity to regain lost ground, when gun owners have handed the GOP a supermajority in NC we can't get our politicians to act. To say this is frustrating is an understatement.

Our 24 May press release follows:

FAKE NEWS OBFUSCATES GRNC POSITION
Grass Roots North Carolina / Forum For Firearms Education
Post Office Box 10665, Raleigh, NC 27605
877.282.0939 (Phone) 919.573.0354 (Fax) www.GRNC.org


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Contact: 704.907.9206
E-mail: [email protected]
Release date: May 24, 2018


CREATIVE EDITING OBFUSCATES TRUTH

In a heavily edited interview on CBS 17 yesterday, a GRNC volunteer’s remarks were taken out of context to imply that Grass Roots North Carolina opposes the sale of 80% lower receivers. That assertion is false. The position which the reporter avoided relaying was as follows:

If gun ban advocates are worried about 80% lowers, they should be truly alarmed by the prospect of people using 3-D printers to make guns in their basements, because each underscores the fallacy of gun control; namely, that you can somehow control the behavior of violent individuals by restricting their access to potential implements of mayhem. Prohibition didn’t work for alcohol, it isn’t working for drugs, and it won’t work for guns.

May we please have the statement from the story with full context so we can see where the media twisted his words?
 
Another thing you might consider, it just occurred to me today.

Back when they were trying to ban the Greensboro gun show, I had a interview with Bill O’neal of WXII. I told him who I was with clearly, yet when the clips aired, he referred to Grassroots North Carolina as “gun rights North Carolina”...

Anyone know who pops up when an unknowing person types that into google? NCGR..... that’s right, the fake gun rights group that only really collects money.

The media is corrupt at its core.
 
The media is corrupt at its core.

Holy smokes...how many times are you guys going to say this?
How many times are we going to have to say we know and agree?
So, just in case you missed it: WE KNOW AND AGREE. Move past that statement.

Lack of media reliability is not the issue at hand. The issue at hand is everyone from your organization failing to answer this question:
May we please have the statement from the story with full context so we can see where the media twisted his words?
SPM has asked, I have asked, multiple others have asked.
Instead of whining about the media, PROVIDE THE FULL STATEMENT.

Guys,
I'm not tap dancing or being evasive.

Please, I've seen less tap dancing at a Riverdance show.

When is anyone going to address the actual question that is being repeatedly asked.
 
Another thing you might consider, it just occurred to me today.

Back when they were trying to ban the Greensboro gun show, I had a interview with Bill O’neal of WXII. I told him who I was with clearly, yet when the clips aired, he referred to Grassroots North Carolina as “gun rights North Carolina”...

Anyone know who pops up when an unknowing person types that into google? NCGR..... that’s right, the fake gun rights group that only really collects money.

The media is corrupt at its core.

May we please have the statement from the story with full context so we can see where the media twisted his words?
 
I just spent the day with my father in the ER,

Sorry, man....just went through the same thing with my mom a few weeks ago and almost lost her. Prayers for him, you and yours. I sincerely hope he makes a speedy and full recovery.

and now I come home to read more of the same garbage from posers who claim to be staunch defenders of the 2A.... :mad:

Posers?

Lemme tell ya something, dude...you're not going to find a group of folks anywhere that holds their birthright as sacred as those here.

If given the choice between dying or living as a slave, many on here would immediately ask where the line has formed to shake hands with the Reaper.

Seriously.
 
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For those curious about my father, he is out of the hospital but they don’t know what is wrong... meanwhile him walking from the couch to the fridge is like listening to a man who ran a marathon. :(

As for where the line starts, if we don’t stick together, you may get the chance to do that. “Hang together or hang separately”.

I want to avoid that outcome if at all possible first... I want to savor some time listening to the rain on the roof, the just right temperature of a properly chilled Coke with ice, and shooting targets that aren’t shooting back. ;)
 
For those curious about my father, he is out of the hospital but they don’t know what is wrong... meanwhile him walking from the couch to the fridge is like listening to a man who ran a marathon. :(

As for where the line starts, if we don’t stick together, you may get the chance to do that. “Hang together or hang separately”.

I want to avoid that outcome if at all possible first... I want to savor some time listening to the rain on the roof, the just right temperature of a properly chilled Coke with ice, and shooting targets that aren’t shooting back. ;)

May we please have the statement from the story with full context so we can see where the media twisted his words?

(I am glad your father is out of the hospital and hope and pray for his recovery.)
 
May we please have the statement from the story with full context so we can see where the media twisted his words?

(I am glad your father is out of the hospital and hope and pray for his recovery.)
I thought he said he was leaving...what's that like 2 replies since he left?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J120AZ using Tapatalk
 
I thought he said he was leaving...what's that like 2 replies since he left?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J120AZ using Tapatalk

I believe GRNC is a staunch ally in the fight in the defense of our unalienable Right to Arms as protected by the Second Amendment.

I also understand that the media is biased, has it's own agenda, and twists words and even lies to suit that agenda (and in reality, it's always been that way. Hence the words Republican, Democrat, and Independent that still appear in the Mastheads of new papers across the country).

But in a world where "I misspoke" and "I was taken out of context" comes out of the mouth of every person caught saying something questionable or otherwise seemingly at odds with what they say they stand for, I've grown cynical as hell with it's use.

But when it's legitimate, show the actual context ....... don't issue a presser with a statement that doesn't even remotely look the same or actually contain the quote in question and then say the quote was taken out of context, then ignore questions totally and instead keep plugging away for "Team Ready, Ready Team!" Because it starts to feel like we're being lied to, which isn't damage control, but a damage multiplier.

If he screwed up in making a statement that sounds like an anti-80% lower comment, you admit that it's bad optics, you make a statement that unequivocally supportive of "shall not be infringed" with regards to the private manufacturing of firearms, and you either train the volunteers on why the statement is bad (it alienates your supporters and emboldens your adversaries) and how to do better (I cannot fathom why a politically savvy 2A organization wouldn't have prepared and vetted answers for a question about 80% lowers that are unambiguous and cannot be taken out of context) - OR - you don't allow everyone to go talking to the press, but refer them to the in-house PAO organization.

I don't like thinking that I'm being lied to by a friend....it can and will break years of trust, and make past glories meaningless to future success.
 
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Another issue that could have simply been fixed with "I don't recall saying that, but if I did that is not what I meant. I fully support the rights of all free Americans to build their own firearms from 80% lowers, or anything for that matter. Thank you for calling me out on this and I will make sure to be more clear in the future, or at least more careful when speaking to the press."
 
Another issue that could have simply been fixed with "I don't recall saying that, but if I did that is not what I meant. I fully support the rights of all free Americans to build their own firearms from 80% lowers, or anything for that matter. Thank you for calling me out on this and I will make sure to be more clear in the future, or at least more careful when speaking to the press."

I don't get all hot and bothered by most of these things, but a simple I made a mistake would suffice. Or a simple, you guys are all nuts so we don't care what you think. Basically some honesty so everybody knows where they stand. GRNC has not put on a great display, but at least @MadMan4Ever is a stand up guy. Maybe the organization needs a good overhaul. New blood is sometimes a good thing.
 
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