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[baz]

I think I forgot to post this on THR, but Mark Pryor from Arkansas has been very noncommittal in his response to my emails. IOW, he'll support gun control if he thinks it will get him reelected.

Another Razorback here. I guess I think it would be the other way around with Pryor. He knows he has a tough fight ahead for reelection, and that he has to be seen as pro 2nd Amendment to get reelected. Or, at least cannot be seen as blatantly anti. I think that works for us in the short run, but it is also why he needs to be replaced in 2014. We need someone who will stand up for the 2nd Amendment as a matter of principle, and not just to keep getting elected. I don't trust Pryor at all. He's a follower in the Senate. In the near term, he will be torn between wanting to do what the Democratic leadership wants him to do, and his knowledge that he doesn't stand a chance of getting reelected if he supports an AWB or mag cap limits. My fear is that, like some Republicans, he would go along with UBC and claim that his opposition to AWB and mag cap limits demonstrates his 2nd Amendment bona fides. We need to keep the pressure on him. And then vote him out in 2014, like we did Lincoln in 2010.

[theriflespeaks1863]

I wrote and called my Rep., Mr. Reid Ribble, a couple weeks ago.

Here's what I got:



Whish he would've come out a little stronger, but at least he seems to be on the right page. Other WI members should write and let him know he needs to take a firmer stance!

-Chris

[Ryanxia]

Definitely has to go. What part of Maine is he a representative of?

[ZeSpectre]

From: "U.S. Senator Kaine" <senator@kaine.senate.gov>
Sent: Fri Feb 15 18:25:36 EST 2013
To:
Subject: Reply from Senator Kaine

Letterhead
February 15, 2013



Dear Mr. XXXXXXX:

Thank you for contacting me to share your views on proposals to reduce gun violence. I appreciate hearing from you.

No one can deny that gun violence is a serious problem in this country today. We owe it to the victims of the growing number of mass shootings to vigorously debate specific and comprehensive proposals that can keep our communities safer. The right approach focuses on many issues - improvements to the mental health system, better security protocols and common sense rules about gun use, including keeping firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals.

When I was on the Richmond City Council in the 1990s, our city was mired in an epidemic of gun violence that included the city having the second-highest homicide rate in the United States. The most successful step we took was implementing Project Exile, a program that involved federal prosecution and tougher penalties for gun crimes that were previously treated more leniently in state courts. Celebrated by diverse groups engaged in the gun violence debate - including the National Rifle Association and the Brady Campaign - the program helped drive down Richmond's homicide rate by nearly 60 percent within a few years.

In 2007, the tragic shooting at Virginia Tech revealed glaring weaknesses in campus security protocols at colleges and universities, in our mental health system and the gun background check system for gun purchases. In a bipartisan spirit, I worked with then-Attorney General Bob McDonnell to immediately improve our background check system and issued an executive order ensuring that those adjudicated to be mentally ill and dangerous would be entered into a national database and barred from purchasing weapons. We also changed standards for mental health treatment and increased funding for community health programs while dramatically improving campus security and efforts to assist college students suffering from mental stress.

In January I attended a round-table event in Richmond with Vice President Biden on gun violence, to talk about the lessons learned in Virginia and the need for a comprehensive approach to these problems. As your U.S. Senator, I will work to bring that kind of comprehensive approach that will strengthen the safety of our communities, while protecting our Second Amendment rights. As a gun owner who worked with others to constitutionally guarantee Virginians the right to hunt, I know that you can be a strong supporter of the Second Amendment without tolerating the gun tragedies that are too often a part of our daily lives.

Concerning specific proposals, I am a strong supporter of universal background record checks. This is the only way we can enforce existing laws that prohibit dangerous individuals from purchasing guns. I am open to supporting legislation placing reasonable limits on high capacity magazines, combat-style weapons and gun trafficking if they are carefully drafted.

Please be assured that I will keep your views in mind as Congress continues to debate strategies to reduce gun violence. Thank you once again for contacting me.

Sincerely,

Signature

Tim Kaine
==================================================

As you can see, Kaine was a lost cause when he was our governor and things haven't improved at all. Still, I keep hammering him with emails.

[TenDriver]

Attachment removed, rotated, and posted below.

If this is not readable, please delete. The response is favorable and leaves little room for interpretation.

[Derek Zeanah]

OK, that's just painful. Rotated here:

[TenDriver]

Sorry about that. Didn't realize it was sideways. iPhone fun.

[alsaqr]

Sessions is a good friend of gun owners.

[bigfatdave]

RE: email response from Feinstein

Originally Posted by DiFi

"Mass shootings are a serious problem in our country, and I have watched this problem get worse and worse over the 40 years I have been in public life. "

Maybe the problem is DiFi? Makes as much sense as any of HER theories.

[hso]

Let's stay focused on the letters and what use we can put them to instead of ranting about DiFi or other politicians. Identify the enemy and leave the comments out of it.

[avs11054]

Response I received from Sen. Jeff Flake from AZ

Dear avs11054

Thank you for contacting me about gun control legislation.

In the wake of the tragic December 2012 school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, there has been a surge in the introduction of congressional legislation attempting to address gun violence. A ban on assault weapons, restrictions on ammunition and magazines, and increased background check requirements have all been proposed.

As you may know, I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and I do not believe that our society needs more laws restricting gun ownership. What we really need is to do a better job of keeping guns out of the hands of those who should not have them, while ensuring that those who break existing laws are fully prosecuted.

To that end, I support more effective and broader background checks for those purchasing firearms. For example, the state of Arizona has more than 120,000 records of mentally ill individuals barred from buying guns – but Arizona has not shared those records with the federal National Instant Criminal Background Check System, which checks the names and records of would-be gun buyers to determine if they are disqualified from receiving firearms. At the same time, it is incumbent upon lawmakers to ensure that those eligible to buy guns can do so without untimely delays. I therefore am opposed to universal background checks on private sales, which would be extremely costly and apply to private transfers between family members, friends, neighbors, and even firearms passed down through wills.

Thank you again for contacting me. Please do not hesitate to do so again in the future. I also encourage you to visit my website, which may be found at flake.senate.gov.

[allaroundhunter]

After writing to Senator Cornyn, I received this response:

Dear Mr. XXXXX:

Thank you for contacting me regarding federal firearms laws. I appreciate having the benefit of your comments on this matter.

As a strong proponent of the Second Amendment, I believe it is essential to safeguard the law-abiding citizen's constitutional right to own and use firearms designed for legitimate purposes such as hunting, target shooting, collecting, and self-protection. Restricting this right runs counter to the intent of our Founding Fathers, who expressly guaranteed that citizens would retain the right to keep and bear arms.

It is encouraging that the Supreme Court has upheld the will of our Founders and re-affirmed the ideals our country was established upon. The Supreme Court's decision in District of Columbia v. Heller provides a greater guarantee that Americans' Constitutional rights remain secure from federal government intrusion. I was proud to sign an amicus brief to the Supreme Court in that case stating an individual’s right to bear arms is fundamental. This historic ruling continues to have implications far beyond the District of Columbia. In 2010, the Supreme Court decided in McDonald v. City of Chicago to strike down the arbitrary gun ban in Chicago—and thereby affirm that the Second Amendment safeguards against state and local encroachments on the fundamental right to keep and bear arms.

As a former Texas Supreme Court Justice and Attorney General, I have firsthand knowledge of crime-fighting policies that work, and I believe that citizens' Second Amendment rights should not be restricted because of the actions of criminals. Rather, we must focus our attention on the source of violent crime: criminals who use firearms to commit crimes. I believe that strictly enforcing the law—and meting out tougher sentences for career criminals and those who use firearms when committing crimes—will reduce crime more effectively than gun or equipment bans, which primarily serve to take firearms away from law-abiding citizens.

I appreciate the opportunity to represent Texans in the United States Senate, and you may be certain that I will continue working with my colleagues to protect our Second Amendment rights. Thank you for taking the time to contact me.

Sincerely,
JOHN CORNYN
United States Senator

If anyone is concerned about him, I hope this sets fears to rest. He is on our side, and he has proved it in recent 2A issues.

[Sergei Mosin]

Senator Johanns of Nebraska is on our side, but he is retiring from the Senate after the 2014 elections. The early favorite to replace him is Governor Heineman, who is also pro-2A.

[Green Lantern]

Ugh...nobody can say so little using so many words like Kay Hagan. I've been hitting Popvox hard of late, so I can't honestly say what this is in regards to, and she does not give many clues either....

Thank you so much for contacting my office. I greatly appreciate hearing from you, and I hope you continue to share your opinions and ideas with me. I am honored to represent North Carolina in the United States Senate, and it is important to me that my office is open and accessible.

Whenever I am asked to evaluate an issue, I look at all perspectives and interests so I can make the most informed decisions possible. I have always felt that elected officials should do more to work across the aisle to pass legislation that benefits all Americans. I have strived to promote bipartisanship among my colleagues in the Senate, and I pledge to continue working with individuals from all political backgrounds as I champion the interests of North Carolina.

I take great pride in my moderate record, both in the United States Senate and the North Carolina Senate. Throughout my career in public service, I have been particularly dedicated to advocating for middle-class families, making sure our children have access to quality education and promoting fiscal responsibility. North Carolina is the most military-friendly state in the nation, and I will work to continue this tradition. My own family has a strong military background, and I am so proud of our brave men and women serving in the armed forces.

As legislation comes before Congress, please feel free to contact me with your concerns, questions, and ideas. I have always said that constituent service comes first. As I tackle issues in the Senate that are important to our state, I want as much input as possible from the citizens of North Carolina.

Again, thank you for contacting my office. It is truly an honor to represent North Carolina in the United States Senate, and I hope you will not hesitate to contact me in the future should you have any further questions or concerns. If you would like to stay informed on my work in the Senate, you can sign up for my e-newsletter, follow me on Twitter at @SenatorHagan, or visit my Facebook page.

Form replies are bad enough, at least they could make ones based on actual ISSUES....

[Duhshooter]

While the Senator says he supports the 2nd amendment, as others here have pointed out, he is for increased restrictions on gun ownership. In my opinion, Warner only says he supports the 2nd amendment because it is politically necessary for his campaign. If you check his voting record, he has voted almost straight Obama doctrine, Obamacare, etc. He bills himself as a moderate, but don't believe it.

I have had personal contact with this man on several occasions and my own opinion is, I will definitely vote against him.

[NosaMSirhC]

Originally Posted by Duhshooter

While the Senator says he supports the 2nd amendment, as others here have pointed out, he is for increased restrictions on gun ownership. In my opinion, Warner only says he supports the 2nd amendment because it is politically necessary for his campaign. If you check his voting record, he has voted almost straight Obama doctrine, Obamacare, etc. He bills himself as a moderate, but don't believe it.

I have had personal contact with this man on several occasions and my own opinion is, I will definitely vote against him.

ANYONE that thinks Mark Warner is Pro 2A needs a check up from the neck up....

Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using Tapatalk HD

[barnbwt]

Here is my mini-essay to John Cornyn. Normally I try to keep them to a couple sentences, but the Background Check issue really demands more detail because it seems "reasonable" superficially. My arguments are 1. NICS cost 2. Punishment of prohibited persons pinging NICS for firearms sales 3. The risk posed by databases of personal info, and the new legal landmine facing gunowners. In bold is probably the most important portion of the letter--something Cornyn is hopefully smacking his more unprincipled republicans over the head with already.

I would like to thank you for your commitment to protecting law-abiding firearms owners from additional restrictions that seek to further curtail the lawful use and possession of our property.

The long-awaited legislation put forth in reaction to the terrible school shooting last year appears to be finally coming to a vote soon. Expanding the requirement for NICS background checks to all firearms sales appears to be the aim of the proposed legislation.

I know I can count on you to vote against such unnecessary legislation, which does no more to prevent illegal sales than the currently unenforced statutes, but places an additional monetary burden and legal liablity on lawful gunowners.

As I am sure you as a gun owner already know, NICS checks are not free unless the transferred firearm is bought from the store doing the check. Forcing all sales to go through the check will do nothing but inflate gun prices more and discourage lawful transfers. Most dealers charge at least 30$ for a transfer. This rate will go up as dealers' demand for checks is forcibly increased.

The NICS database service is at its limit and delays transfers for days during peak demand. It would be completely swamped by private in-state transfers. Increasing their funding would be required--money that would be better left unborrowed.

NICS checks currently flag thousands of prohibited persons attempting to purchase firearms, but few to none are ever prosecuted. Deterred by NICS but without punishment, they turn to black market firearms; the majority of crimes using guns are committed by individuals who obtained them illegally.

Large collections of personal data like the transfer forms kept by dealers present a significant security risk to gunowners. Dealers completing them must retain their forms for 10 years, subject to BATFE inspection during that period. There is also the risk of those ignorant of the new laws becoming ensnared by a private transfer to a friend that makes them suddenly a felon. Completely unnecessary risks to law-abiding citizens, for absolutely no benefit.

Please continue to stand with gunowners by voting against additional ineffective gun laws, and work to try and convince some of your fellow lawmakers to turn against what may seem like politically convenient measures against gunowners.

Remind them that the general public will have long forgotten about the new gun-law by the mid-term elections--but gunowners now paying another $30 for each gun transfer will remember clearly.

Thank you for your time, and for your service to our state and our nation.

TCB

[chemist308]

I received an email response from House Rep Matt Cartwright. Based on my read, I do believe he is in need of our loving support to steer him back to right path and ensure we are represented. Could you help here? His contact info is found here:
https://cartwright.house.gov/contact/email-me

Dear Mr. ********,

Thank you for taking the time to write to me with your thoughts on gun safety and your support for the Second Amendment. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue and I'm glad to have the opportunity to respond.

As a Congressman I took an oath to uphold the Constitution, and as a former trial attorney I have the deepest respect for our nation's laws. The tragic shootings in Connecticut, Oregon, Wisconsin, and Colorado have thrust gun safety into the spotlight and I recognize that this is a sensitive issue fraught with emotion.

Our country has a long and proud tradition of gun ownership and having owned guns myself I recognize the important role they play in our history and in the lives of many Americans today. I respect the rights of hunters and those who use guns for recreational purposes as I too enjoy shooting. I also recognize the need for individuals to protect their homes and their families. I do not seek to punish the many responsible and law-abiding gun owners but rather seek to find a balanced approach during this discussion on gun safety. We must protect our Second Amendment rights while keeping our children safe.

I was recently appointed to the Gun Violence Task Force and will work towards solutions to prevent future tragedies, including ensuring sufficient access to mental health services. I will approach this assignment with an open mind, and am looking for input from all sides of the issue. I will certainly keep your thoughts in mind as we continue this debate.



If you would like to stay connected to our office with the latest news, legislation, and other useful information, please sign-up up for my e-newsletter or visit my website. Thank you again for reaching out, and please do not hesitate to contact my office with any future questions or comments.
Sincerely,
(signed)
Matt Cartwright
Member of Congress
MC/SB

[DeadMoneyDrew]

I got back the forum letter gun responses from Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) and Rep. John Carney (D- DE at-large). Carper's response isn't too bad. Carney's is LOLterribad. That's not unexpected since Tom Carper seems to vote his mind while John Carney tends to do whatever he is told.

Here's the reply from Tom Carper:

Thank you for contacting me to express your thoughts about ways to reduce gun violence and your concerns about reinstating the ban on military-style assault weapons. I appreciate hearing from you about this matter.

Let me begin by saying that I mourn the horrific loss of life at Sandy Hook Elementary School in the wake of the December 14, 2012 shooting. As parents of two sons, my wife Martha and I can only imagine the pain that these families are going through. Our thoughts and prayers will remain with them and with the victims of other shootings that have occurred and reoccurred across the country.

Since the Sandy Hook shooting, more than 900 Americans lost their lives from gun violence and more will continue to die each day that we do nothing. While no single change in the law will bring closure to these grieving families or completely prevent future violence, we have a duty to examine the facts, hear from a wide spectrum of experts and try to reach a consensus on ways to reduce gun violence. Trying to develop a consensus on this issue has been difficult and elusive, but that can no longer be an excuse for inaction.

As you may know, I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, and I believe that law-abiding citizens have the right to bear and own arms. I have a long family history with firearms. My ancestors were craftsmen who developed a firearm known as the Carper rifle 150 years ago in West Virginia. My father was an avid outdoorsman and gun collector. When I was young, he taught me to hunt and fish in the hills of West Virginia. I'm a gun owner and have taken my sons trap shooting as part of their introduction to firearms training in the Boy Scouts.

My family also has a great deal of admiration for law enforcement personnel. My father worked most of his life as a claims adjuster for Nationwide Insurance, and he had the opportunity to interact with law enforcement officers throughout his career in the insurance industry. During that time, he gained a great deal of respect for those men and women who were willing to risk their lives every day for their fellow citizens. Having an appreciation for law enforcement is just one of my father's values that I carry with me to this day. Just as importantly, my father taught me to use common sense in all aspects of my life, and I believe this credo should be followed when debating gun control legislation as well.

On December 19, 2012, President Barack Obama tapped Vice President Joe Biden to lead a task force that would get the facts and come up with some common sense ways to reduce gun violence. Over several weeks, Vice President Biden met with various stakeholders—victims of gun violence, law enforcement, mayors and governors, sportsmen and hunters, educators, mental health experts, the video game and movie industries, and the leadership of the National Rifle Association—and compiled a list of recommendations to address this issue.

On January 16, 2013, President Obama unveiled these recommendations, some of which would be achieved through executive action and others that would require Congressional approval. For example, the President put forward a proposal to eliminate the loopholes in the current background check system. Over the years, just about everyone I've spoken with agrees that keeping weapons out of the hands of criminals is the right thing to do, and strengthening background checks is a sensible way to do it. The President also recommended looking at reinstituting the ban on military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines that have been used all too often in mass shootings and strengthening the ban on armor-piercing bullets. Many of these weapons were intended for the battlefields of war, not our neighborhoods, and I believe that we're long overdue to revisit this matter in the halls of Congress. While these recommendations meet the common sense threshold, they also adhere to the Second Amendment. To view President Obama's proposal, please visit the following link:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/defa..._time_full.pdf

I also believe that stricter gun control isn't the only solution and I am encouraged that President Obama's recommendations take a comprehensive approach. Helping people get the mental health treatment they need, making sure cops have the resources they need to prevent gun crimes, and improving school safety must continue to be part of this ongoing conversation. In fact, as Delaware's governor, I implemented the School Resource Officer Program to protect students and address juvenile delinquency and drug abuse. I am pleased that Governor Jack Markell (D-DE) has continued to build on this program, and on September 10, 2012, he signed into law SB 233, the Omnibus School Safety Act. This legislation creates a formal statewide framework for school safety plans and requires the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security to work with schools, districts and first responders to develop up-to-date safety plans for Delaware's 219 public schools.

Should the Senate consider measures of legislation in the coming weeks, I expect my colleagues to do what is right—to put partisan politics aside—and focus on real solutions to gun violence. I stand ready to work with the President and my Senate colleagues to help strengthen our laws to help prevent future tragedies, like those in Newtown, Connecticut, Aurora, Colorado, and others before from happening again.

Please be assured that I will keep your views in mind should I have an opportunity to consider measures of gun control legislation in the future. Thank you again for contacting me. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future about this or other matters of importance to you.


Sincerely,

Tom Carper
United States Senator

[DeadMoneyDrew]

Here's the standard party-line-toeing response from Carney:

Thank you for taking the time to contact me about the debate Congress is currently having about our nation's gun laws. I appreciate your input and thoughts on this incredibly important issue.

As you may know, federal law currently allows for the purchase of military-style assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines that can fire 20 rounds in 10 seconds. In most states, there is no requirement to undergo a background check before purchasing one of these guns or magazines from a private seller at a gun show.

In an effort to address this, President Obama and Vice President Biden have put forward a comprehensive plan to reduce violence in the United States by keeping weapons out of the hands of criminals and getting military-grade weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines off our streets. The plan would also increase access to mental health services and provide teachers and counselors with the training they need to identify mental illness in young people.

We can uphold the rights of law-abiding citizens to own firearms -- while taking reasonable steps to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and ensure that military-grade weapons aren't being used to kill law enforcement officials and innocent people.

As someone elected to uphold the Constitution, I take seriously the Second Amendment and the rights of Americans to own guns and defend themselves. When the Supreme Court ruled in District of Columbia v. Heller that the Second Amendment gives our citizens the right to keep a handgun in their home, Justice Antonin Scalia, perhaps the court's most conservative justice, stated that "the right secured by the Second Amendment is not unlimited...nothing in our opinion should be taken to cast doubt on laws imposing conditions and qualifications on the commercial sale of arms."

In the past, many elected officials have been reluctant to support stronger gun laws, but I hope that the recent tragedies across America -- from Connecticut to Colorado -- will spur bipartisan passage of common sense proposals like universal background checks for gun purchases and a ban on military-grade weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines.

I appreciate your taking the time to share your thoughts with me regarding this serious matter. I take seriously the trust Delawareans have placed in me and my responsibility to represent them in Congress, and I look forward to serving you in the coming years



Sincerely,

John Carney
Member of Congress

[Trent]

Received from Tricky Dick's office.

Emphasis added where applicable.


February 25, 2013

Mr. XXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXX
XXXXXXX

Dear Mr. XXXXXXXXXXX:

Thank you for contacting me about gun violence prevention. I appreciate hearing from you.

Americans are entitled to own and use guns responsibly. The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees this right. In 2008, in the case of District of Columbia v. Heller, the Supreme Court struck down the District’s handgun ban and affirmed Second Amendment rights. However, the Court also noted in its decision that Second Amendment rights are subject to reasonable limitations.

Within this context, we must work to pursue policies and enforce existing laws to protect Americans from becoming victims of gun violence. Strong penalties for violent crimes involving firearms should be part of any effort to reduce gun violence. I have consistently supported tough crime control and prevention initiatives since coming to Congress.

I support efforts that address illegal possession and use of firearms. Common sense restrictions such as bans on multi-round magazines and assault weapons are supported by law enforcement officials who patrol our streets. I also support universal background checks to prevent the transfer of firearms without a background check by non-licensed gun sellers.

We must institute common-sense limits, such as barring those with a history of mental instability, those with a history of violent crime or who are subject to restraining orders, and those whose names have been placed on a terrorist watch list from owning weapons. Straw purchasers and gun dealers should face firm penalties. There should be limits on how many firearms may be purchased in one month. Those who own firearms that are within the reach of children should have protective locks on their weapons.

Although we may disagree on this issue, I will keep your thoughts in mind as the Senate considers gun violence prevention measures. I will continue to uphold the right to bear arms and do not seek to diminish the ability of Americans to do so. We must strike a balance between protecting our constitutional rights and preventing senseless acts of violence that have led to the loss of countless lives in Illinois and across America.

Thank you again for contacting me. Please feel free to stay in touch.

Sincerely,
Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator

RJD/bc

[sota]

ever thought of inviting him to your house? you could lock him in your basement for like 10 seconds. the guy would die of fright/heart attack. problem solved?

[Trent]

What I sent back. I copied a LOT of the legislators on this, as well as my local rep, and the NRA-ILA.



Mr. Durbin;

As a father of 5 wonderful children, and a successful business owner in Illinois, I enjoy the opportunities this country and State provide for raising our families.

But your politics trouble me deeply, Mr. Durbin.

I grew up poor. After my father shot himself, my mother joined up with a man who became quite an abusive step-father – I bear the scars to show for it two and a half decades later. The five of us (including siblings) lived in a one room basement house, off of welfare, and whatever money my mother and step father raised selling cocaine. By the time I was 14 I moved out and lived with my grandparents. The psychological scars of my youth were hard to bear, and I dropped out of high school at age 18.

That fall I found out I was going to be a father, and took my GED test, passing. With a loan of $100 from my grandfather, I took an ad out in the local paper and started a small computer repair company. Which grew in to a larger software development operation. 17 years later, I now have several employees, customers all across North America, which including a prestigious list of fortune 100 and 500 companies. I am a very successful employer, a very successful entrepreneur, and pay (more than) my fair share of taxes.

I relay my successes in life, against all odds, not to invoke some sort of emotional response. I relay these facts of my past to illustrate that I have earned – unequivocally – the right to speak my mind as a person who is not adverse to struggles and hardship. I have lived through the very worst that life could throw at me, and I have flourished.

And I will say one thing, very clearly, so that you can understand it.

I do not now, and will not ever, tolerate tyranny, in whatever form it takes, Mr. Durbin.

Your politics may fly in Chicago, where you congregate with your corrupt peers and have shared black-tie dinners with past Governors who are currently residing in prison, but these politics are quite unwelcome in downstate Illinois.

I have a right to raise my 5 wonderful children with the same values and heritage that was passed down to me from my grandfather. HIS values are what I carry forward in life. He raised me out of the ashes of my youth, he corrected the flaws in me. He instilled respect for my elders, he taught me the value of a dollar, he taught me my ethics and morality, that hard work pays off, and goodness to strangers and neighbors is rewarded with bonds of friendship and brotherhood.

My grandfather is in his 80’s now, and does not have the strength or endurance or youth to carry on a struggle against our Government. But I sure as hell do. And I have the means, economically and logistically, to struggle against your particular brand of political oppression.

I would strongly advise you to review your policies and correctly adjust and adapt those views to reflect your constituents – there are millions of gun owners in the State of Illinois you are up against on this issue.

Or… you just might find yourself running against someone who is very eager (and very well-funded) to displace your corrupt, oppressive views next time you are up for election.

Have a wonderful day, sir.

Trenton xxxxxxxxxx
Federally Licensed Collector of Curio and Relics of War

[ATBackPackin]

The part that upsets me the most about politicians like that is how they go on about "How they support the 2^nd Amendment". They do not have to agree with me, but how can you respect anyone who is that blatantly dishonest?

Disgusting!

[Trent]

Originally Posted by ATBackPackin

They do not have to agree with me, but how can you respect anyone who is that blatantly dishonest?

Disgusting!

You can NOT in good conscious respect them. Period.

I'm only one person, and can only do so much. I doubt he reads what I wrote. His secretary or staff will probably intercept it.

But if he DOES read it, I hope that what I wrote sits in the back of his mind, nagging at his consciousness.

Next time he's up for re-election his opponent (if pro-gun) will receive a healthy campaign contribution from yours truly. THAT is a fact. Durbin needs to go the way of the dodo bird.

We only get two senators in congress, and 95% of the land mass in Illinois disagrees with his view.