‘Full Auto Classic’ Fundraiser A Winner for NC Pro-Gunners
by F. Paul Valone
President, Grass Roots North Carolina
Don’t you just love the sound of machineguns in the morning? On May 5, gun rights advocates got a chance to not only hear but shoot exotic machineguns at North Carolina’s first “Full Auto Classic.”

Held in Statesville by the state’s gun rights organization, Grass Roots North Carolina (GRNC), the event raised money for the group’s ambitious “Remember in November” project, in which it will compile voting records and survey scores for more than 300 state and federal candidates, and then distribute the resulting candidate guides to more than 80,000 gun-owning voters.

Making the shoot possible, John Ross, Class III dealer, instructor, and author of the gun rights novel Unintended Consequences, came from Missouri with fully automatic classics like the M1A1 Thompson, “Grease Gun,” Stetchkin, HK MP-5, Glock Model 18, UZI, Steyr AUG, AK-47, and the wildly popular BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle).

Among the enthusiastic shooters, Sen. Hugh Webster (R-Alamance) couldn’t wipe the grin off his face as he made it his mission to tear up bowling pins with every available machinegun. Meanwhile, Vernon Robinson, Republican candidate for Congress in the 13th District, shook hands, shot machineguns and even helped with loading magazines.

Elsewhere on the expansive range provided by NC Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 10, kids shot .22 rifles and pistols, adults competed in a steel plate pistol match, and members of the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS) demonstrated Cowboy Action Shooting.

Adding education to enjoyment, GRNC conducted seminars on legislative tactics and media management for gun rights activists and held a dinner at which North Carolina House Rep. Mark Hilton outlined the opportunities and pitfalls awaiting gunowners in the legislature.

Planning further enhancements for its initial success, GRNC intends to make the Full Auto Classic an annual event. For information, photos and video clips, check: www.grnc.org.

Sponsors for the first Full Auto Classic included: Hyatt Gun Shop; Duncan Guns; Shooter’s Express; Gunner’s Alley, and the Aisle Pawn Shop. For information about machinegun shoots by John Ross, go to: www.john-ross.net, or call: 314-308-8261.
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