[Nightfall]

Just thought I'd ask for some proof-reading and suggestions from THR crowd on my letter to them people in that there law making process before I send it. :)

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Dear ,

I am writing to voice my opposition to the renewal or extension attempts of the Assault Weapons Ban that are being introduced and considered. As you know, in 1994, the ban on certain firearms was proposed as a method to fight violent gun crimes in the United States. In reality, all it has done is place unnecessary burdens on law-abiding citizens like myself and further limited the choice of firearms Americans have to choose from in their enjoyment of shooting sports such as service rifle competitions, hunting, or self-defense. Likewise, I believe it has infringed on the right to keep and bear arms as laid out in the 2nd Amendment of our Constitution, with the intention of an armed yet peaceful populace as a deterrent and form of last resort defense against tyranny.

Many of the provisions of the 1994 ban are utterly ridiculous to all but the most anti-gun observers. Features which have absolutely no impact on crime are banned as dangerous ‘assault' features. For example, the bayonet lug. What possible impact on violent crime could removing bayonet lugs from semi-automatic rifles have? I've yet to hear of a ‘drive-by bayoneting' on the evening news, or any stabbings with a rifle mounted bayonet at all for that matter. Another such example is folding or telescoping rifle stocks. This simple feature enables gun owners such as myself to store their weapon more easily when traveling to or from a shooting range, or for storage in various safes. A telescoping rifle stock is also useful in allowing shooters of different sizes to adjust the stock to more comfortably fit their body frame. I hardly think this is a danger to society.

Magazines manufactured after 1994 that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition are also banned. According to a National Institue of Justice sponsered study on the effectiveness of this act, it has failed to reduce gun shot wounds per victim nor victims per gun murder. Beyond that, it has limited the ability of home owners to defend themselves against violent intruders by limiting them to handicapped magazines, as well as those who carry a concealed weapon with a proper license from their state. I also tend to wonder at what unique trait allows our wonderful law enforcement community to be exempt from having to use handicapped weapons to defend themselves as I do. I believe our law enforcement officers should have access to the best and most effective equipment money can buy for their duty, and I find it disheartening that this great nation would see it's citizens denied that same ability for their own protection or other sporting uses.

Finally, I hope that you will agree that weapons such as AR-15 or AK-47 style rifles should not be banned simply because they appear more menacing than other semi-automatic style weapons. These supposed ‘assault' rifles are no different functionally from any other similar rifle, and in fact often use a lower powered cartridge than semi-automatic weapons such as the Garand our brave soldiers used in World War II. Given a different, less military-esque appearance, these objects would be no more at risk for misplaced legal persecution than my grandfather's hunting rifle. I sincerely hope you will oppose any legislation seeking to renew or further extend the Assault Weapons Ban, so that I may proudly vote for you in the next election. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

[Thumper]

Nice. Can I use it?

[Preacherman]

National Institue of JusticeShould be "Institute".
it has failed to reduce gun shot wounds per victim nor victims per gun murderDo you mean "or" instead of "nor" in that sentence? Might be better with "and/or".
I also tend to wonder at what unique trait allows our wonderful law enforcement community to be exempt from having to use handicapped weapons to defend themselves as I do.I'd respectfully suggest that sarcasm is out of place in a letter like this - you want to impress the guy/gal, not make them think "Oh, no, another smart***!". How about something like "Our law enforcement community - themselves civilians - are permitted full-capacity magazines, but under the 1994 legislation, I, as a civilian, am restricted to a limited capacity magazine." Then continue with your next sentence as given.
this great nation would see it's citizens No apostrophe, just "its".

Just my $0.02 worth... HTH.

[bogie]

Dear ,

I am writing to voice my opposition to the renewal or extension of the Assault Weapons Ban or 1994. As you know, this ban of certain firearms was supposed to fight violent crimes. In practice, all it has done is place unnecessary burdens on law-abiding citizens like myself. It has also severely limited the choice of firearms we have to choose from in the shooting sports, such as service rifle competitions, hunting, or self-defense.

In addition, it has infringed on the right to keep and bear arms, as laid out in the 2nd Amendment of our Constitution, with the intention of an armed yet peaceful populace as a deterrent and form of last resort defense against tyranny.

Many provisions of the 1994 ban are ridiculous to all but the most uninformed. Features having absolutely no impact on crime are targeted as dangerous ‘assault' features. For example, new rifles are forbidden to have a bayonet mounting lug. When is the last time you heard of a crime committed with a rifle/bayonet? I've yet to hear of a ‘drive-by bayoneting' on the evening news.

Folding or telescoping rifle stocks are also forbidden. This enables owners to store their firearms more easily when traveling to or from a shooting range, or in their gun safes. Telescoping rifle stocks are also useful to allow shooters of different sizes to easily adjust the stock to fit their body frame.

I hardly think these are dangers to society.

Magazines manufactured after 1994 holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition are also forbidden. According to a National Institue of Justice sponsored study on the effectiveness of this act, it has neither reduced "gunshot wounds per victim" nor "victims per incident."

Beyond that, these handicapped magazines have limited the ability of people, many in rural areas with limited law enforcement availability, to defend themselves against violent intruders.

Others, with a proper license from their state, may carry a concealed weapon, but cannot purchase a standard capacity magazine for it.

Firearms such as the AR-15 or AK-47 style rifles should not be banned simply because they appear, to the uninformed, to be more menacing than other semi-automatic style weapons, such as those produced by Browning, Remington, or Ruger.

These supposed ‘assault' rifles are no different functionally from many other rifles, and in fact often use a lower powered cartridge than others, such as the Garand our brave soldiers used in World War II. Given a different, less military appearance, these objects would be no more at risk for misplaced legal persecution than my grandfather's hunting rifle.

They are not machineguns (regulated since 1934), "bullet hoses," or weapons of mass destruction. They're simply firearms that tend to be more ergonomic, more rugged, and often, more fun to shoot.

I sincerely hope you will oppose any legislation seeking to renew or further extend the Assault Weapons Ban, so that I may proudly vote for you in the next election. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

[Nightfall]

Thumper: You can do whatever you want with my meek little letter. :p

Preacher: Thanks for the corrections! As to the sentence about our LE people, I honestly didn't mean for it to come off as sarcastic. Obviously it does though, so I will change it. :)

bogie: Good suggestions, certainly helped make it clearer. Thanks!

[Gordon Fink]

Nightfall, the phrasing of your first paragraph suggests that self-defense is a “shooting sport.”

~G. Fink

[Stickjockey]

Nightfall-

What Preacherman said, plus a few quibbling little bits:

1st paragraph

"...was proposed as a method to fight violent gun crimes..." How about just "...was proposed as a method to fight violent crime ..." One of the ways our opponents try to control the debate is by controlling the language. Notice how instead of gun "control" it's now gun "safety" and registration and bans are touted as "common-sense gun laws". The guns don't commit crimes; people do.

2nd paragraph

"bayoneting" has two t's

3rd paragraph

"...it has failed to reduce gunshot wounds per victim nor (actually should be "or"-see Preacherman's post) victims per gun crimes". Again, control the language, control the debate.

Just my .02

[40 Cal]

Great letter I am glad someone is voiceing thier concerns. I for one think that they should let it expire. I see nothing wrong with the Ak47. I for on would like to have one.