Senators Up For Re-election in 2014 that need to be converted or replaced

[Bartholomew Roberts]

The following is a list of Senators who are up for reelection in 2014. Where I have knowledge of a Senator's current stance on gun control, I have added that information. If you have received a letter from a Senator on this list expressing support, partial opposition or opposition to additional gun control, please share that informaton with us and I will update the original post to reflect that. This post is not intended to advocate for or against a party in a political fashion but rather just to let Second Amendment minded voters see who is walking the walk. As you can see, the antis are bipartisan in nature.


Alabama - Jeff Sessions (R) - Pro-Second. No current statement found.
Alaska - Mark Begich (D) - CURRENTLY OPPOSING ANY NEW GUN CONTROL MEASURES
Arkansas - Mark Pryor (D) - Gave vague non-answer when recently questioned
Colorado - Mark Udall (D) - SUPPORTS GUN CONTROL
Delaware - Chris Coons (D) - NRA F rating. No current statement found.
Georgia - Saxby Chambliss (R) - Gave vague non-answer in response to pro-2A letter
Hawaii - Brian Schatz (D) - No current statement found
Idaho - Jim Risch (R) - NRA A+ rating. No current statement found.
Illinois - Richard Durbin (D) - SUPPORTS GUN CONTROL
Iowa - Tom Harkin (D) - SUPPORTS GUN CONTROL
Kansas - Pat Roberts (R) - Gave vague non-answer in response to pro-2A letter
Kentucky - Mitch McConnell (R) - Gun control takes a back seat to spending issues
Louisiana - Mary Landrieu (D) - Suggested support for expanding NICS in response to pro-2A letter
Maine - Susan Collins (R) - Supported past AWBs and gave vague statement supporting more gun control
Massachusetts - John Kerry (D) - SUPPORTS GUN CONTROL
Michigan - Carl Levin (D) - SUPPORTS GUN CONTROL
Minnesota - Al Franken (D) - Has supported gun control; but dodged question when asked about more gun control
Mississippi - Thad Cochran (R) - NRA A-rated. No current statement found.
Montana - Max Baucus (D) - We must bring ourselves together for an honest national conversation about every aspect in this terrible attack from assault weapons to the media’s coverage of these events to how we address mental illness
Nebraska - Mike Johanns (R) - SUPPORTS SECOND AMENDMENT
New Hampshire - Jeanne Shaheen (D) - SUPPORTS GUN CONTROL
New Jersey - Frank Lautenberg (D) - SUPPORTS GUN CONTROL or Cory Booker (D) - Supports Registration
New Mexico - Tom Udall (D) - Gave vague non-answer to reporter
North Carolina - Kay Hagan (D) - Supported AWB in 2009 but gave non-commital vague answer to reporter
Oklahoma - Jim Inhofe (R) - NRA A+ rating. No current statement found.
Oregon - Jeff Merkley (D) - Seeking to end filibuster in Senate. Some past gun control support. No current statement found.
Rhode Island - Jack Reed (D) - SUPPORTS GUN CONTROL
South Carolina - Lindsey Graham (R) - SUPPORTS SECOND AMENDMENT
South Carolina (special to replace Jim DeMint) - Tim Scott (R) - SUPPORTS SECOND AMENDMENT
South Dakota - Tim Johnson (D) - No current statement found
Tennessee - Lamar Alexander (R) - SUPPORTS SECOND AMENDMENT
Texas - John Cornyn (R) - NRA A rated - Gave vague non-answer to pro-2A letter
Virginia - Mark Warner (D) - Supported increased NICS checks in recent response letter
West Virginia - OPEN SEAT (Jay Rockefeller retiring)
Wyoming - Mike Enzi (R) - SUPPORTS SECOND AMENDMENT

The guys giving vague answers on either side need to hear from us. They are wobbly and waiting for direction. The guys opposing us vocally already need to go. We need to start planning now how to help their primary opponents and general election opponents in 2014.

[hso]

Great piece of information to put to use and well worth sticking to the forum!

We can change the information about Alexander since my correspondence with him has been completely specific and supportive of RKBA. No new restrictions, enforcement of current laws, improvement of NICS to avoid issues like Cho, mental health.

Here are two replies to me.

Dear XXXXX,

Thanks very much and letting me know what’s on your mind regarding the right to bear arms.

I’m a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights. Congress should not pass laws that take away these rights from law abiding citizens and leave criminals to terrorize the streets. Good citizens don’t abuse guns – criminals do. I will continue to support legislative efforts to protect the Second Amendment rights of law abiding Americans, and oppose efforts to overturn the Second Amendment.

In two recent cases, the U.S. Supreme Court clearly held that the Second Amendment protects the right of individual Americans to keep and bear arms. In the 2008 case, D.C. v. Heller, the Supreme Court held that D.C.’s restrictive gun laws violated the constitutional rights of Americans. Two years later, in McDonald v. Chicago, the court struck down the city of Chicago’s handgun ban and held that, like the federal government, state and local governments must respect Second Amendment rights. I joined legal briefs in both cases in defense of this constitutional right and was pleased with the Supreme Court’s decisions.

I am grateful you took the time to let me know where you stand. I’ll be sure to keep your comments in mind as Second Amendment rights are discussed and debated in Washington and in Tennessee.

Sincerely,
Lamar

Thank you for sharing your feelings regarding the tragic shootings in Newtown, Connecticut. I was horrified by this attack that left twenty-eight dead. My thoughts and prayers are for the victims and those who now live with their loss.

As we learn more about the tragedy in Newtown, I think we must look closely at the behavior of isolated young men who develop an obsession with violence. We should ask the leaders of the entertainment industry whether they would want their children--or those who might harm their children--to watch the increasingly violent video games and movies that they pour into our culture. This is not the only cause of violence in our society but it is one important cause. Connecticut has strong gun laws. The problem is not with the gun but with the person pulling the trigger.

This is a terrible event for our nation and we must find appropriate ways to respond. I’m grateful you’ve shared your reactions with me and will keep them in mind as we move forward.

[Quick Shot xMLx]

Here's the reply I got from Senator Kay Hagan (D) in NC. She has a gift for talking a lot but not saying anything. At the end of the day Hagan is a party hack, she'll vote for whatever the Dem leaders tell her to vote for. She's not going to fight in the trenches for anything but she'll follow like a sheep.

Dear Friend,

Thank you for contacting me regarding the horrific tragedy that took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. I appreciate hearing your thoughts on this issue, and my thoughts and prayers remain with the victims and families of this senseless and appalling act of violence.

In the wake of the shooting in Newtown, which left twenty-six innocent members of the community dead, many of them young children, Americans across the country are searching for answers on how we can prevent such tragic events from happening in the future. I believe we must do all we can to put laws and policies in place to prevent future tragedies such as this one. Doing that will require a common-sense debate on a comprehensive approach that examines all relevant issues, including access to firearms, mental healthcare, and the prevalence of violence in video games and media. Additionally, Senator Feinstein has stated her intent to introduce legislation concerning access to firearms at the start of the 113th Congress. To date, that legislation has not been introduced. As always, it is important that we not unnecessarily infringe on the legitimate Second Amendment rights of responsible gun owners.

Like you, I have always been an advocate for Second Amendment rights. My family, like the great state of North Carolina, has a long tradition of hunting and gun ownership, and I take great pride in that heritage. During my tenure in the North Carolina Senate I continuously supported the responsible use of firearms. As your United States Senator, I will always be committed to protecting these fundamental, constitutional rights.

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.

Sincerely,

Signature

Kay R. Hagan

[Green Lantern]

Update on Hagan from GRNC:

Thousands of GRNC members have recently received a form letter from Sen. Kay Hagan (D-GRNC *) in response to concerns about the Obama/Biden/Feinstein anti-gun attack that is currently underway in Washington, DC.

In a painful attempt to appear supportive of our rights without actually supporting them, she has succeeded only in making it clear that her position needs significant correction. She writes,

“it is important that we not unnecessarily infringe on the legitimate Second Amendment rights of responsible gun owners”

The Senator apparently does not appreciate that government cannot infringe upon fundamental liberties whether it is deemed “necessary” or not. It is also troubling to note she believes there are “legitimate” Second Amendment rights, which of course implies that some “illegitimate” ones also exist. Which ones are these?

She completes a trifecta of Second Amendment misunderstanding by raising her family’s “long tradition of hunting”. Grandpa’s side-by-side shotgun isn’t of much use against tyranny, is it?

HAGAN CAN’T HIDE HER LUKEWARM TREATMENT OF GUN RIGHTS

Sen. Hagan’s prior votes have earned her a GRNC “one star” evaluation, consistent with voting with gun owners 62% of the time. This is not a person we can be confident about protecting our interests in the largest battle to maintain gun rights in a generation. Hagan needs an attitude adjustment, and needs it now!

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!




Email AND call Sen. Hagan.

Call Sen. Hagan Monday, January 14th between 9 am and noon. If unable to call during these times, call when you can: 202-224-6342
Remind the Senator: the Second Amendment confirms and protects a fundamental liberty.
The right to keep and bear arms is not subject to perceived “needs”.
These rights SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED!
Bans, limits, registration schemes and all other gun-related restrictions currently being “floated” are UNACCEPTABLE!
North Carolina gun owners will tolerate NO COMPROMISE!

CONTACT INFO


Email Sen. Hagan using her webform: http://www.hagan.senate.gov/contact/



DELIVER THIS MESSAGE



Suggested Subject: "No Compromise on 'Obama Gun Ban'"



Dear Senator Hagan:


The Second Amendment confirms a fundamental liberty of North Carolinians to keep and bear arms. The need for this right is made clear within the Amendment itself: the “security of a free state” depends upon it. We have unfortunately seen how this is true following repeated attacks upon defenseless citizens within “Gun Free Zones” where these rights have been unconstitutionally usurped.

The right to bear arms has nothing to do with hunting or sports, it is necessary for defense of life, liberty and property. Such defense clearly requires effective, non-obsolete, militarily-relevant weapons. Thus, North Carolinians will tolerate no compromise with bans or restrictions of semi-automatic rifles, pistols or of magazine capacity.

You are free to pursue better management of the violently insane, and are encouraged to repeal the dangerous “Gun Free School Zones Act” of 1996. Any other cooperation with Obama/Biden/Feinstein proposed gun control is unacceptable. There can be no compromise with these anti-freedom plans.



Sincerely,

[PigButtons]

Your work is greatly appreciated. Having written to both Senators here neither has replied, whereas Mo. Brooks, our districts Congressman, wrote back a very Pro2A email in less than 48 hours. I'll be continuing to email my Senators until I receive a response.

[Catshooter]

Thank you for this helpful post. I emailed Tom Harkin letting him know that I would work to see him defeated should he support gun control.


Cat

[Brent J]

also claims she is in favor of sport hunting. She also told me that the UN Small Arms Treaty (or whatever it was called) would never pass the Senate. Now, when it came to a vote, she just happened to be absent that day so, she had no mark in her column for or against it.

[Green Lantern]

Brent - iiiiinteresting, I called multiple times on that subject and could NEVER get a straight answer from them!

...guess that kinda pokes holes in my theory that they use caller ID to tell people what they think they WANT to hear on a given subject...

[1 old 0311-1]

The problem we are STILL running into, like 2008, and 2012, is the lazy gun owners who don't vote. These are the first ones that will cry when "EXECUTIVE ORDERS" flush our gun right down the crapper.

[miamivicedade]

Well done Bartholomew.

[OH_Spartan]

I know it would be daunting but could we get a list of the house members? I got a very pro rkba response from my rep tiberi.

[Red Sky]

http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/15/politi...lls/index.html

Not happy news, but news nonetheless, and there is some hope near the end - and that coming from CNN of all places. Anyone living in states with vulnerable Democratic senators should be blowing up their emails and phones in the coming days. Get anyone else you know who will support us to do the same.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, for that matter) my effort from Texas doesn't matter much as we already have them on our side.

[Diamondback6]

Chalk Cantwell and Murray (D-WA both) up in the Anti-Second Amendment Bigot column. I don't even waste my effort on those two terrorist-sympathizing oxygen thieves anymore...
(Remember, Patty bin Murray: "Osama builds schools and roads and..." yes, THAT Patty Murray.)

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Add Senator Franken to the SUPPORTS GUN CONTROL category:
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.co...ut-support-for

[RetiredUSNChief]

Good to know!

Many thanks.

[hso]

If you're Senators aren't on the list they're not up for election in 2014 so they are not include because we can't work to have them reelected or against their reelection in this next election cycle.

All 435 seats in the United States House of Representatives will be up for election in 2014.

If you know whether a Representative has a clear position on an AWB please include it.

Our job is to make sure that every politician running for office in 2012 that supports any restriction on firearms, magazines or ammunition during this struggle doesn't have a job in Washington after Nov. 4, 2014. We have to work to remove them from office during the primary, and failing that, during the election.

Even if none of this gets out of committee to a floor vote the people who betrayed their office by supporting it have to go. We must prove that this is truly a third rail issue that destroys political careers so it is another 10 years before they forget the lesson.

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Senator Warner of VA is now on-record for supporting magazine bans:
http://www.warner.senate.gov/public/...0-43d31c84f7ea

[RetiredUSNChief]

Originally Posted by Bartholomew Roberts

Senator Warner of VA is now on-record for supporting magazine bans:
http://www.warner.senate.gov/public/...0-43d31c84f7ea

Well...THAT was an interview just chock full of decisive, definative answers to specific questions now, wasn't it?

[Skribs]

Two things...

1) Put both Washington senators on the list as SUPPORTS GUN CONTROL. Patty Murray has an F rating from the NRA, and a track record of constantly voting to restrict our rights. Maria Cantwell (I haven't looked up her NRA rating) proudly says she supported the 94 AWB and her email to me included the phrase "I support the second amendment, but..."...with a LOT after the "but".

Both of these senators have been representing us for far too long. Let's get rid of them already.

2) Can you maybe recolor the names, i.e. make pro-gun folk green and anti-gun folk red? Would be even easier to discern who's who.

http://www.ontheissues.org/domestic/...un_Control.htm
http://www.ontheissues.org/domestic/...un_Control.htm

From S. Cantwell (Murray hasn't responded):

Dear Mr. {Redacted},



Thank you for contacting me regarding the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.



All Washingtonians – and all Americans – offer our deepest condolences to the families of the 20 children and six school staff members who were killed in this senseless attack. Our thoughts and prayers are with the community of Newtown, as its residents heal from this incomprehensible tragedy.



This horrific attack highlights several issues that must be addressed promptly in order to better protect against such inexplicable violence. We need to get powerful assault weapons off our streets. And we need to strengthen services for the mentally ill and their families.



In the past, I supported the original Assault Weapons Ban and the Brady Bill, as well as the Youth Handgun Safety Act of 1993, which prohibits juveniles from possessing or receiving handguns. I look forward to work with my colleagues in the Senate to strengthen responsible legislation to rein in gun violence. We need to work to close the loopholes in existing laws that allow criminals and children to gain access to firearms contrary to the law's intention. One example is the well-known "gun-show loophole" which allows people to purchase firearms at gun-shows without undergoing the background check required when guns are bought from licensed dealers. Lastly, I believe we must support increased gun-safety and gun-use education.



I support the Second Amendment and the rights of law-abiding Washingtonians who own guns. I also remain focused on addressing the deeply troubling violence in this country and making our state and our country as safe as possible for all people, including our most vulnerable citizens, our children. I believe both of these goals are important and can be simultaneously accomplished through common-sense gun laws and stricter enforcement of existing laws.



Along with addressing gun violence, making services for the mentally ill and their families more accessible will encourage those suffering from mental illness to seek needed care and support. Mental health care is a critical component of our healthcare system and an individual's overall health status. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately one in 17 Americans suffers from a seriously debilitating mental illness. I care deeply about mental health care and understand the important role behavioral health services play in the lives of both those who suffer from mental illness and their family and loved ones.




Thank you again for contacting me to share your thoughts on this matter. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,
Maria Cantwell
United States Senator


For future correspondence with my office, please visit my website at
http://cantwell.senate.gov/contact/

[Bartholomew Roberts]

I am past the window where I can edit my post here; but I have updated this version with the color code you suggested:
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_1_5/1420444_.html&page=1

In addition, I also added statements that I found from several Senators to clarify their position. I noted that Jim Risch had a strongly worded pro-Second response that is now missing from his website and can only be found in Google cache. If you are in Idaho, you might want to call and thank him for his support. I know that the Senate offices are getting anti-protests (Cornyn was targeted on the 20th by gun control supporters).

Don't take anything for granted. These guys need to know how you feel.

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Sen. Susan Collins goes wobbly on a new AWB: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-0...ss-senate.html

Says she isn't certain she will support it, despite voting for it every single time it came up previously. My guess is she is probably lying; but congratulations to you guys in Maine who have apparently made an impact on her position.

In the bad news; but not surprising department, Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) is one of the sponsors of Feinstein's new abhorrent and worse than ever before ban bill.

[Ashcons]

I've been hammering at Mark Pryor over the past few weeks on this issue. I feel like he'll vote however the wind blows, which means I'll still vote for a more pro-2A senator in the next election. Boozman gave a fairly solid reply as did Womack.

[Spats McGee]

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.

[hso]

Remind those that aren't dedicated Antis that the costs to the supporters of any new law restricting magazines, firearms, or ammunition will be higher than the '96, '98, and 2000 elections.

Remind them that Clinton and Feinstein gave too much credit to the NRA at the time of the backlash to AWB '94 for the losses in Congress and that the same mistakes are being made now.

Even more now than then, the number of voters who own these firearms and magazines that use this ammunition out number NRA members and far far outnumber hunters and are a growing group in the country.
Even more now than then, we're better connected and organized through internet forums and social media.
Even more now than, then the facts and actual data on crime showing that murder rates have fallen ever since AWB '94 expired are readily available and easily shared demonstrating the fact that AWB '13 supporters are lying to the American voters.
Even now more than then, we know that replacing politician supporting an AWB is possible and we'll spend our time and money to see that takes place. AND that even if one is passed the backlash will see it reversed

There are far more of us, we have access to better information, we're far better organized on our own, and we'll be far more active in removing any politician from office that wants to restrict firearms, magazines or ammunition we might want to own.

[Billy Shears]

I wrote both my senators after the Newtown shooting, expressing my hope that they would focus their efforts on stopping these deranged individuals, rather than on weapons, and urging them not to squander this opportunity to address the mental health system and involuntary commitment of certain individuals, and instead jump on the easy and very public bandwagon of gun control.

Alas, Sen. Mark Warner chose to ignore that plea, and do just that. He has expressed support for Diane Feinstein's ASW ban (never mind that the last one had no effect whatever on crime, nor did it prevent mass shootings like Columbine). And in an interview recently, he said:

Well, Gwen, I'm a strong Second Amendment rights supporter. I own firearms. On my farm, I have actually got shooting range.

But Friday afternoon, my daughters, who had all come home from college, said, dad, you know, how did this happen? And what are you going to do about it?

And just as a father, the horror of what happened in Connecticut coming on the heels of tragedies at Virginia Tech years before, the tragedy in Colorado, and it seems like about every six or nine months, one of these incidents happening in America, makes me say, you know, enough is enough. There's got to be a rational way to sort through this...

I think that, from the evidence I have seen, that a lot of the challenge comes around the speed by which you can shoot, in effect, these multiple magazines in terms of how rapidly they can be discharged.

Now, there's a whole series of different negotiations about what qualifies as an assault weapon and what doesn't. I think there will be time for that kind of conversation.

We have got to find a way to sort through to where there is an ability for law-abiding citizens still to possess firearms -- nobody is going to take away your shotgun -- but to make sure that these kinds of weapons that in many cases were developed for our military and have become extraordinarily, lethally effective killing machines for our military are now in the hands of people that are just not appropriate...

What are the instruments here that are being used? Are there guns that were developed by the military as technology has advanced and has allowed our soldiers to become better, more effective in Iraq and Afghanistan? Should all of those weapons be able to be slightly modified and then sold on a commercial market?

What kind of -- how much restraint does it put on a lawful target shooter if they want to have to change out a clip after every 10 shells or -- 10 or 15 shells? I'm not sure what the right number should be here...

But I do think that simply saying that the status quo is acceptable and bemoaning another tragedy six or nine months from now, without any real close examination of seeing what laws and rules and regulations need to be changed, would be a real mistake and wouldn't do -- wouldn't be the appropriate honoring the legacy of those poor kids that lives were taken.

I have written back to his office since reading this, and informed him that I will never vote for him again, and that I will now spend time and money to make certain he loses his seat come the next election, and if he ever runs for public office again, I'll do it all over again.

Just as I couldn't support John McCain, after McCain-Feingold unconstitutionally restricted free speech, I can no longer support him. I cannot and will not support ANY politician who supports blatantly unconstitutional legislation, undermining my rights and liberties.

Maybe if he gets enough letters making it clear he's committing political suicide, supporting Feinstein's ASW ban in a state like Virginia, he'll rethink his support for that bill. I'm not holding my breath, but if you live in Virginia, write to him and let him know he's playing with fire on this one.