After Commissioner Ensley told attendees at the January 21 meeting of the Haywood County Commission that we were not going about protecting our Second Amendment rights the “right” way, I sent him the following email:
Commissioner Ensley:
At a recent meeting of the Commission, in your comments you stated that a better way for those concerned regarding the Second Amendment to act was to support the Blue Ridge Friends of the NRA.
First off, you were elected to represent the people of Haywood County, not to tell us how to accomplish our goals.
In the future, should you presume to tell us how to accomplish our goals, please endeavor to provide better advice. Your efforts to support firearms training and competition for the youth of Haywood County are indeed commendable, but in the near term, they do little to protect our Second Amendment rights.
The Blue Ridge Friends of the NRA are likewise to be commended for their support of the NRA Foundation and it’s mission of education for recreational shooters and law enforcement officers. But those things do little in the near term to protect our Second Amendment rights.
The Blue Ridge Friends of the NRA certainly does an admirable job of raising funds for the NRA Foundation. What does that Foundation fund? It funds education – for youth, for recreational shooters, and for law enforcement officers.
What does the NRA Foundation not do? It doesn’t fund lobbying efforts, which are funded by the NRA Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA). It doesn’t support pro-gun political candidates, which is done by the NRA Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF). This is not supposition on my part.
While I was pretty sure of the facts, I contacted the NRA Foundation by phone and they confirmed that they do not financially support NRA-ILA or NRA-PVF. I suspect that the NRA Foundation’s tax exempt status would prohibit them from doing so.
Providing training and properly supervised shooting competition is certainly a noble goal. But let’s not pretend that it is nearly as vital to protecting our Second Amendment rights as lobbying for our rights and supporting candidates who will vote to protect our rights.
Sincerely,
Paul Yeager
Waynesville, North Carolina
NRA Life Member
“Our goals”? If you want to make an impact for the second amendment in Haywood county then teach our kids to respect firearms. The next generation IS our future Americans and they need to respect the Constitution.My father taught me at a young age how to shoot and handle a gun. I learned much from him through his sniper training in the army. And he taught me though his sacrifice overseas to respect the Constitution. In our house it was God and Country.
Because of his efforts, I’ve forgot more than you probably know about guns. (note: condescending much?) When it comes to the 2A, I put my money where my mouth is. That’s the best way to make a difference and protect the 2A. (Train our young people.)
I don’t get on FakeBook and make up “rumors” and lies about elected officials. If you want to ask a question then call me. But you don’t, because you, a grown man, likes to gossip on your FakeBook page about elected officials.I guess it’s because you are too afraid to call them and find out the facts. Or maybe you agree with Hitler – “If you tell a big enough lie, the people will believe it to be true”.
BTW, I’ve received more emails from citizens who oppose “your” resolution than are for it.(note: Ensley claims to have more emails opposing a resolution than supporting it, but he railroaded a resolution through the Commission in only two weeks. Also, Ensley notably fails to provide evidence that I have posted anything on Facebook that isn’t true.)
I’m proud of our board who worked together to craft the resolution we will present Monday. I’m hoping all our 64,000 citizens will respect it because they are who I have represented for 16 years.
I have always served my county with honor and integrity. I swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution. That means we follow the law and – we will! I will because my father taught me to and I respect him.
Also, I’ve never been in court defending myself over an assault by pointing a gun. You just can’t make this stuff up.
THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE!!!
L. Kevin Ensley, PLS
Well, isn’t that just special?
Here is my response:
“Our goals”? If you want to make an impact for the second amendment in Haywood county then teach our kids to respect firearms. The next generation IS our future Americans and they need to respect the Constitution.
Note that I said “our goals”, referring to the goals of those who showed up for the January 21 meeting of the Commission. Ensley wasn’t included, except in his own imagination.
So, we should wait until the next generation grows up, and let them protect our rights for us? I disagree.
I don’t get on FakeBook and make up “rumors” and lies about elected officials. If you want to ask a question then call me. But you don’t, because you, a grown man, likes to gossip on your FakeBook page about elected officials. I guess it’s because you are too afraid to call them and find out the facts. Or maybe you agree with Hitler – “If you tell a big enough lie, the people will believe it to be true”.
If you wish to accuse me of lying, please provide evidence to back that claim. How could you have such evidence if you don’t use Facebook?
Also, I’ve never been in court defending myself over an assault by pointing a gun. You just can’t make this stuff up.
I was indeed so charged. I suggest that before mentioning that topic again, you inform yourself regarding the facts of the matter.
(Note: I was indeed charged with “assault by pointing a firearm”, which I did indeed do after being assaulted. The person who assaulted me denied having done so, and I admitted having drawn my lawfully carried firearm, so I took a ride to jail. The charge was dismissed when my accuser repeatedly failed to appear in court. My assault charge against the accuser is still pending. As far as I know, “innocent until proven guilty is still a governing principle in the United States.)
So, next we have Commissioner Ensley’s response to my response:
Ok one more time, this is not an issue in Haywood County or North Carolina. This resolution will not protect anything. It’s only a statement of support for our Constitution and some of its amendments. We are a subdivision of the state. The state tells us what we can and cannot do. Evidently you did not pay attention in civics class. I would recommend you watch the link below that I mostly agree with.
If you tell a half truth or a rumor, it’s a whole lie in my book. My supporters text me your disparaging posts. In fact I spoke to some people in church today that had seen your Fakebook page. They figured out who you and Cabe were and abandon your page. They noticed that if there were any opposing or contrary posts, they were taken off the site. I guess you can’t handle dissension. They even told me they wanted to post that you should go back to Florida. I guess they somehow knew you were from there. Of course if they did that, you would delete it. (note that for all his blithering, Ensley has not provided any evidence that I have posted anything that is not true) Also, I’ve never been in court defending myself over an assault by pointing a gun. You just can’t make this stuff up. i was indeed so charged. I suggest that before mentioning that topic again, you inform yourself regarding the facts of the matter. Don’t need to. I’ve never been to court on an assaulting someone by pointing a gun. I’m not a bully. That’s all that’s needs to be said. It is a fact. |
So, the self-styled “Second Amendment supporter” Kevin Ensley says I am a bully for lawfully drawing (but not cocking or releasing the safety, let alone firing) my firearm?
And oh by the way, Commissioner Ensley – I grew up in Florida but moved here from Atlanta almost 24 years ago. I’m not planning to go anywhere.
Perhaps you might like life in Marion? I have been there, it’s quite nice. I’ll be happy to write you a letter of recommendation.