Grand Combined Letter Thread: Templates, Examples and Replies

[Shear_stress]

With Senator Feinstein unleashing her proposed "assault weapons" legislation tomorrow, I sent a preemptive letter to the senators representing my state. In it, I took a different tack than some folks. Instead of focusing on the 2nd Amendment directly, I decided to appeal to the fact that we really do have the statistics on our side. Time will tell if it makes a damn bit of difference.

Dear Senator XXXXXX,

We all were repulsed by last year's tragedies in Newtown, Clackamas, and Aurora and many well-intentioned people have called for new firearms regulations that are "common sense" and "meaningful." However, some of the proposals I have been hearing about are neither. In particular, I am referring to legislation that would further regulate a vaguely defined category of firearms, so-called "assault rifles."

My education in engineering and the life sciences has taught me to look at the data when confronted with in issue. Or, in this context, to ask the question "what is the harm caused by semiautomatic rifles?" Despite the sunset of the 1994 "Assault Weapons" ban, homicide rates in this country have been declining for years according to the FBI's Uniform Crime Report statistics. In addition, referring to Expanded Homicide Data Table 8 (Murder Victims by Weapon 2007-2011), rifles of all kinds have been involved in 2.5-3.1% of homicides. This is at or slightly lower than the rate of use of shotguns and is, in fact, also lower than the rates for blunt objects (4-4.5%) or even hands, fists or feet (5.7-6.2%.) Given that "military style" rifles represent a subset of the rifles included in the data, there is clearly no growing epidemic of their use in murders.

Rifles such as the AR-15 (was has been sold to the public since 1964) have exploded in popularity in the last few decades. Despite depictions to the contrary, military-derived rifles are fully ensconced in the shooting sports mainstream and are central to events such as Three Gun, IPDA and CMP or NRA High Power. The AR-15 in particular is commonly used for small game hunting as well due to its excellent accuracy. It should be noted, however, that the .223 round used by most AR-15 variants is less powerful than the cartridges used by most traditional deer rifles.

Further restrictions on military-style rifles defies common sense. Such laws exploit arbitrary aesthetic standards to regulate firearms that, though they are in common use for sport and defense, simply do not represent a growing or significant threat to the public. Moreover, this focus on military-style firearms as causative agents of violence is not "meaningful" in the sense that it neglects the less politically expedient roots of violence--poverty, lack of educational opportunities, etc.

Consequently, I urge you to do the intellectually honest thing and resist pointless restrictions on certain types of firearms. If we are truly interested in addressing violence in this country we need to have the courage to change the agenda to reflect its true causes.

Best regards,
XXXXXXXX

[LevelHead]

Very nice - may I use most of it as well?

Typo in the third paragraph - "was has been sold to the public since 1964"

[Shear_stress]

Very nice - may I use most of it as well?

Be my guest! Thanks for catching that typo.

[2ifbyC]

Originally Posted by Shear_stress

Time will tell if it makes a damn bit of difference.

It makes a major difference for reasons that you may have not contemplated:
1. It improves your cognitive thinking so you can write in a concise, cogent manner.
2. You have exercised your right to have your voice heard and to ensure your representatives know your position on issues that are important to you.
3. You were “in the arena” and not on the sidelines making judgments.
4. It instills pride and self-worth.
Good job. Hopefully, you will serve as a model for others to express their inner voice.

[jamesbeat]

Beautiful.

[viper7342]

The following is a letter I just finished writing to my Congresscritters, if anyone would like to use it feel free.

I am writing today, to strongly urge you to vote no on any and all new proposed new gun bans/regulations, that would affect a law abiding citizens right to keep and bear arms, including any so called "Assauls Weapons" Ban, restrictions on "High Capacity" Magazines, More intrusive background checks, or bans on internet sales of firearms or ammunition. I believe strongly in the Second Amendment to the US Constitution and Feel that there are already plenty of laws on the books regarding guns, I also believe that criminals will commit crimes no matter what weapon they have to use to accomplish their goals, I strongly believe that Wayne Lapierre was absolutely right when he said "the only thing that will stop a bad guy with a gun, is a good guy with a gun". Therefore, I also strongly urge you to support any legislation that may come about to repeal the Gun Free School Zones Act of 1990 and any and all ammendments thereto which create nothing more than gun free victim zones. In other words, I strongly urge you to NOT SUPPORT ANY NEW GUN LAWS,DENY SUCCESS TO MASS MURDERERS BY ABOLISHING PHONY ‘GUN-FREE’ VICTIM / KILLER ENABLING ZONES NOW, I WOULD ALSO URGE YOU TO WORK WITH US OR WE WILL WORK TO RETIRE YOU.

[TenDriver]

I wonder if he understands hunting involves killing most of the time....

[Curator]

I got the same response, obviously canned. Nelson was a petty good Insurance Commissioner but has been seduced by the National Dems to get into lock-step with the Party Line. He needs to be defeated in his next run for the Senate. Trying to convince him to look at the gun-ban logically won't work. Unfortunately he has 6 more years of selling us down the river,

[Skribs]

Dear Mr. {Redacted},


Thank you for taking the time to contact me. I deeply appreciate your willingness to share your thoughts with me as I work to represent all the residents of our Congressional District. I hope that even if we do not always agree, we can continue having a civil, reasonable and thoughtful conversation on how we can confront the challenges our nation faces.

Many different proposals for reducing gun violence have been made in the past few weeks, including by President Obama. I am carefully reviewing the President's proposal, which has not yet been written into legislation, as well as the many other proposals that have been made by advocacy groups. Most importantly, I am listening to the ideas that my constituents have proposed for fighting gun violence in America. As the national debate on gun violence moves forward, I want you to know what my guiding principles on this issue will be.

First, I believe that doing nothing is not an option. Like all Americans, I am heartbroken by the shooting that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December. The murder of twenty first-graders and seven adults, six of whom worked at the school, was a tragedy beyond comprehension. As the husband of a retired principal and teacher and the father of two boys, this shooting hit particularly close to home for me and my family.

Sadly, too many other communities have also experienced incidents of gun violence. The South Sound has not been spared. Six people were injured in a mass-shooting at the Tacoma Mall in 2005. Four Lakewood police officers were killed in 2009 while sitting in a coffee shop. Every day in communities around America there are tragic gun deaths that rip neighborhoods and families apart.

I believe we must do more to prevent gun violence in this country. No child should go to school scared of being shot. Every American deserves to live in a society free of the threat of gun violence. I am committed to working to reduce gun violence and keeping guns out of the hands of criminals and those who are dangerously mentally ill. Let me repeat: Doing nothing is not an option.

Second, I believe that all proposals aimed at reducing gun violence should be evaluated in an evidence-based way. We should enact policies that research shows us will actually work and be effective at reducing gun violence. Unfortunately, researchers looking into ways to reduce gun violence face unnecessary and inappropriate barriers in conducting their work. For example, Congress has placed restrictions on the ability of the Centers for Disease Control to do research into the cause of gun violence. It has also placed restrictions on what data federal agencies can release to researchers looking to study gun violence. These laws limit our ability to even understand the scope of the problem confronting us. These laws should be repealed.

Third, I believe we must strike a reasonable balance between respecting the Second Amendment and the need to keep our communities safe. I know many are greatly concerned Congress or the President will act in a way that damages the Second Amendment or targets hunters and sportsmen. I grew up a hunter and understand these concerns. The Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled in favor of the right of individual firearm ownership and Congress and the President need to respect this.

I believe it is possible for us to have common sense gun laws that will protect Americans without at all threatening our right to bear arms. For example, Congress has already placed significant restrictions on the production and ownership of tanks, bazookas, machine guns and other automatic weapons. Individuals who meet certain criteria, such as those who have been deemed dangerously mentally ill, are also not allowed to own firearms. I support these laws and support making sure we do a better job enforcing them.

One new action that I believe would better strike a balance between respecting the Second Amendment and keeping our communities safe is closing what some have called the "gun show loophole." This is an omission in federal law which allows individuals to purchase firearms at gun shows without having to undergo a background check. They would be required to undergo this background check if they were purchasing a firearm at a brick-and-mortar store, and visiting a gun show allows them to slip past this security check. I strongly believe that individuals who have committed violent felonies or who are dangerously mentally ill should not be able to evade background checks simply by purchasing a firearm at a local gun show.

Finally, as we look for ways to reduce gun violence, I believe we need to look beyond gun laws. We need to take steps to make our schools a safer place for kids and teachers. Every school in America should have a comprehensive emergency management plan in place, and every school must take steps to reduce violence and bullying.

We also need to improve access to mental healthcare. While only a small minority of those who have a mental illness are violent, we cannot let these individuals slip through the cracks of our healthcare system. Congress needs to continue making sure health insurance policies fully cover necessary mental health coverage, and we need an increased focus on mental health treatment for young Americans between the ages of 16 and 25. These young people are the least likely to seek assistance for a mental illness despite being one of the age groups with the highest risk of developing one.

There is no single action we can take to fully eliminate gun violence. However, the immensity of this problem cannot be an excuse for inaction. In the weeks and months ahead, I look forward to continuing to hear from you and other constituents about what we can do to tackle this problem. Please do not hesitate to contact my office again as this debate continues.

At least he doesn't appear to be as gun-grabbery as some of the people representing my state, but he likes the laws we have on the books and appears to support closing of the "gun show loophole" and by extension I'm assuming universal background checks. All so we don't look like we are "doing nothing."

I'm going to post another comment on his page saying that considering the number of times firearms are used in self defense in the country vastly outweighs the number of times firearms are illicitly used for violence, that further restrictions, while "doing something", will be doing something in the wrong direction.

I will also ask what other amendments he's willing to "strike a balance" with, or if it's just the one that scares him that is up for debate.

Last point I'll make is that I voted for him (unfortunate...but he didn't have gun control up on his issues) because he seemed like a level-headed person, but if he is willing to restrict my rights, I will rescind that vote in the next election and give it to his competitor.

[Ryanxia]

Make sure when he comes up for reelection that you unseat him. Start looking for an alternative to his anti-American ways.

[bigwhiteyj]

Dear Mr. (edited):



Thank you for contacting me regarding gun control legislation. I appreciate your interest in this matter, and I welcome the opportunity to share my thinking with you.



I firmly support the Second Amendment and recognize that the vast majority of gun owners in the United States are responsible, law-abiding citizens. However, I also believe that certain restrictions on firearm use and ownership are justified and appropriate. Determining which restrictions may be necessary has taken on a new urgency in the wake of the December shooting in Newtown, CT.



In the wake of this devastating event, we are all working to determine how best to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Schools throughout Rhode Island and around the nation are reexamining their security policies to ensure they provide the best protection for our students. Police departments are updating their response plans and communities are working to improve their outreach to troubled youths. I am grateful for all of the ideas that I have received from my constituents about how to move forward.



As part of the policy response, I support efforts to strengthen mental health services in this country, as well as responsible gun regulations that can improve public safety without infringing on Americans' rights to own guns for lawful purposes. For that reason, in the 113th Congress (2013-2014) I will continue to back bills that increase inspections of gun dealers, with penalties for those who don't keep good records; reinstate the assault weapons ban; require universal background checks for gun purchases; and prohibit large capacity magazines. I have long been troubled by the types of powerful ammunition, weapons and extended gun clips that are so readily available and that go well beyond the needs of self-defense or sport. This is even more troubling given the lack of constraints on the purchase of firearms, including instances where individuals can buy weapons without any background check.



A number of my constituents have indicated that they believe the enforcement of existing gun laws combined with better gun safety education are the best policy solutions. While I agree that those are important components of our effort to reduce gun violence, I do not believe that they are sufficient by themselves. I do not believe in banning all firearms. I know that many hunters and sportsmen use their weapons responsibly for recreation every day, and individuals have the right to own a firearm for self-defense. Nonetheless, there are important legislative steps that must be taken to address this public health crisis and prevent incidents like that at Sandy Hook Elementary.



Please be assured that I will continue to advocate for common-sense legislation that prevents gun violence while preserving Second Amendment rights. Thank you again for contacting me, and please keep in touch throughout the legislative session.

Sincerely,


Jim Langevin
Member of Congress

I'm going to sit down over the weekend to formulate a articulate response to hopefully address specific points. I'll be including the FBI crime stats that have been brought up recently. I'm thinking it will be a useless battle though. Providence RI, the state capitol, just passed a city council resolution trying to ban all semi automatic weapons. Time will tell, I guess.

[TheGloriousTachikoma]

You do realize that it will never be seen my your congresscritter's eyes, right? At best it will be coherently skimmed by an aide.

This is all you have to send in the letter:

"Dear Congresscritter,

Do not vote for an Assault Weapons Ban or a Magazine Capacity Ban or I will vote you out.

-Sincerely, John Doe

[jrdolall]

Thank you for contacting me with regard to gun ownership rights. It is good to hear from you and I am pleased that we both support a citizen's right to bear arms.

I believe that gun control legislation violates both the letter and the spirit of the United States Constitution. Throughout all my previous years in Congress, I have consistently supported legislation that strengthened an individual's right to bear arms, and I will continue in the 113th Congress. As long as I represent you in Congress, I will vigorously defend the Second Amendment.

On Wednesday, January 16, 2013 President Obama issued a plan of action titled "Now is the Time: The President's Plan to Protect Children and our Communities by Reducing Gun Violence." In it the President calls for many reforms like a national assault weapon ban, a ban on high-capacity magazines, stricter background checks, ways to make schools safer, and expanded mental health services. The plan included calls for Congressional Action, but also included 23 Executive Orders. I am very concerned with these Executive Orders and his use of executive privilege to bypass Congress. As these issues come before Congress rest assured that I will continue to strongly support the Second Amendment and vote against any of the President's proposals that infringe upon the rights of law abiding Americans.

Again, thank you for contacting me and I am pleased we agree on this matter. Please do not hesitate to contact me again on this or any other matter of concern. If you would like further information of issues of importance to you, please log on to my website at http://mike-rogers.house.gov

[Ash]

He's in the camp of the enemy. Better get him to change sides.

[HKGuns]

No, he won't change sides. Vote his arse out of office. Volunteer for his opponent during the next election, spread the word any way you can that he is not upholding his oath to the constitution.

[gdcpony]

Got another one.

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Clayton:



Thank you for contacting me with your concerns regarding gun control initiatives in the wake of the recent shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. I value your opinion and appreciate hearing from you on this matter.



No words can describe this unspeakable tragedy. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with the families and friends of those who lost loved ones in Sandy Hook.



In the days ahead, the American public and elected officials will examine all of the factors that played a role in this event, and others like it. As this conversation unfolds, let me state clearly that I will continue to stand up for the 2 nd Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans. Furthermore, please know that I am strongly opposed to President Obama's implementation of numerous gun control initiatives through executive order. This is just another example of the president attempting to bypass the Congress and the Constitution in order to implement his extreme agenda.



Again, thank you for sharing your views on this issue with me. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.





Sincerely,

Walter B. Jones
Member of Congress

[gdcpony]

Another from Gov John Kasich:

Dear George :



Like all Americans, I was horrified as the tragedies of Friday, December 14 th unfolded in Newtown, Connecticut. The deplorable act of violence that took the lives of innocent children and adults is beyond reason, and I pray that, in time, the families of the victims and the people of that community are able to find peace.



As you no doubt recall, we were all reminded of the evil th at exists in our world when six students were shot, three fatally, at Chardon High School in Geauga County on February 27 th , 2012. In the aftermath, the heroic stories of the first responders, teachers and staff who acted swiftly and selflessly to protect others showed true courage.


Since that tragic event, and in the wake of the recent tragedy in Newtown, the absolute necessity for school officials, parents, students and first responders to be trained and practiced in responding to these unthinkable crimes is of utmost importance. Various state and local agencies, including the Ohio Office of Homeland Security and the Ohio Department of Education, have worked collaboratively to implement, review and drill response plans. Moreover, these occasions of violence and heartache should give us all pause to think about how we treat each other, and the value we as a society place upon every life.



With regard to calls for legislation in response to these events, it is my belief that we will be best served by enforcing those laws that currently exist. And, in the weeks and months that follow, we should learn as much as possible about how this happened, and what steps we can take, including mental health awareness and school safety protocols, to guard against the senseless loss of innocent life ever again.



I appreciate your taking the time to write. Please join me and my family in continuing to keep the communities of Chardon and Newtown, and all innocent victims of violence, in our prayers. Thank you.

[gdcpony]

And another:

Dear George,



Thank you for contacting me about our Second Amendment rights. It is good to hear from you.



I am a gun owner who believes in the right to bear arms in defense of self, family and property. During my 12 years serving in Congress, I received an "A" rating from the National Rifle Association for defending our Constitutional Rights. I opposed the so-called "assault weapons ban" and opposed the Brady Bill. I supported repealing both the Clinton gun ban and the Washington, D.C. gun ban. I voted to protect the private information of gun owners; to protect state gun laws; and to protect firearm and ammunition manufacturers, dealers or importers from lawsuits and damages related to criminal misuse by a third party.



As a life-long hunter, I also believe the rights and freedoms of hunters must be guarded and I developed an executive order that the president signed to enhance hunting and fishing opportunities at wildlife refuges and national preserves. As your Senator, I will continue to protect our Constitutional freedoms and will be a strong advocate for preserving these rights and traditions for future generations.



Thank you for taking the time to contact my office. For more information, I encourage you to visit my website at www.portman.senate.gov. Please keep in touch.



Sincerely,

Rob Portman
U.S. Senator

[gdcpony]

I think I will post all replies I get from now on good and bad.

[gdcpony]

January 23, 2013



Thank you for contacting my office. I appreciate your taking the time to write to me regarding this issue.



I agree that the last thing we should be doing in the aftermath of a terrible crime such as what took place in Connecticut is to overreact in the legislative realm. As a concealed carry license holder myself, the legislature should not be curtailing the rights of those who carry lawfully because of the unlawful actions of certain individuals. I will also be sure to keep watch for any legislation concerning background checks in the coming months.



Thank you again for getting in touch with my office. If I can ever be of assistance to you regarding any state issue, please do not hesitate to contact me.



Sincerely,







Andy Thompson

State Representative

95th House District

State level

[M-Ful]

Today I sent this letter to all three of my representatives, please help me get this issue more attention. "I am seventeen and would like your attention on an important issue to me. All across the state there are competent, mentally stable pistol marskman under the age of twenty one, which is the age requirement for concealed carry. Each time I go to the range to practice or an IDPA match I see more and more outstanding young marksman under twenty one, like myself practicing defensive pistol shooting. I love my fellow Arkansans and would not hesitate to protect their lives, including yours, if you would allow me and many others like me to have the tools to do so. In Arkansas an eighteen year old individual can carry a handgun while hunting or be in possession of one but can neither buy or conceal carry said weapon. I'm urging you to consider legislation that would allow the concealed carry age requirement to drop to 18, we are old enough to defend our country with a weapon in the military, why can't we do the same for our fellow man at home?" What do y'all think?

[swalton1943]

Ask the dead if they would have liked to have had a firearm when the [U]murderer came for them. What do you think would be their answer?

[Kiln]

I'm from Arkansas too. I doubt it'll ever happen. It is an unfortunate thing that people just don't care about handgun owners under 21.

I remember feeling the same way and I can tell you that in my opinion, if you're 18 you should be able to own a handgun and go through the process to legally carry a concealed weapon.

[wgaynor]

January 25, 2013



Dear Mr. Gaynor,



Thank you for contacting me regarding the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn. My thoughts and prayers are with the children, parents, teachers and community as they mourn this tragic loss of life.

After such a senseless act of violence, the power of prayer and the kindness of friends, family, and neighbors near and far provides solace and strength to the community. I hope we can learn more about what warning signs were missed and how we can better prevent tragedies like this from occurring in the future. However, I do not believe we should rush to point fingers or enact reactionary legislation curtailing Second Amendment rights. No amount of gun control will be able to prevent mentally disturbed individuals from committing despicable acts of violence. High-risk individuals will still be able to acquire firearms and other lethal weapons, even with an increase in prevention. Please be assured I will oppose any proposed gun control law which would limit the right to gun ownership by those who are responsible, law-abiding citizens, and that I will continue to defend Americans' Second Amendment rights in the Senate.

Once more, thank you for sharing your thoughts. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance in the future. I look forward to hearing from you again.



Sincerely,



Rand Paul, MD
United States Senator

[Ash]

It can't be, reason from Washington? I've always liked this guy.