fallingblock
Member
In replying to Senator Nelson of Florida, who voted for the AWB as a congresscritter the first time around, I sent this letter:
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Senator Nelson:
Thank you for your reply. I would like to address your statement in detail below:
You wrote:
"I support the constitutional right to bear arms."
I applaud you for upholding your oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States-the Second Amendment is instrumental to the recognition of our inalienable right to keep and bear arms.
You wrote:
"However, I also support efforts to reduce gun violence and promote firearms safety."
Guns are inanimate objects, incapable of committing "violence". If you seriously wish to 'reduce gun violence' (meaning violence in which guns are used), you must support legislation which supports the arrest and incarceration of violent offenders. This is the ONLY approach to reducing violent crime which has demonstrable effectiveness.
You wrote:
"As a member of Congress, I voted for banning assault weapons such as AK-47's."
I am sorry that you were deceived, Senator Nelson, but you did nothing of the kind. What you voted for was a bill to ban 'semi-auto AK-47 lookalikes', which grade into the semi-auto firearms used by millions of Americans for sport and defense. True AK-47 type weapons (with select automatic-fire capability) have been heavily taxed and regulated since the National Firearms Act of 1934, and manufacture banned in 1986.
You Wrote:
"It is imperative that such firearms are kept out of the hands of felons."
Two questions here. Do you, or any of the supporters of the AWB have any evidence that this piece of legislation has, indeed, 'kept' the banned firearms out of the hand of felons?
And, since it is already illegal, under both pre-existing Federal and State law, for ANY felon to possess ANY firearm...what is the point of this legislation? A 'felon' has demonstrated the capacity for ignoring such laws in pursuit of his chosen life of crime.
You close with:
"I will keep your thoughts and concerns in mind when the Senate debates the extension of the Assault Weapons Ban."
As my elected representative in the Senate, I would expect no less from you.
Please bear in mind that this legislation passed only narrowly ten years ago, and that your party lost control of both houses in the subsequent elections. It is 'pointless' law, which achieves nothing but the promotion of a failed ideology...that of 'gun control' rather than 'crime control'.
Sincerely,
****************************************************
Senator Nelson:
Thank you for your reply. I would like to address your statement in detail below:
You wrote:
"I support the constitutional right to bear arms."
I applaud you for upholding your oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States-the Second Amendment is instrumental to the recognition of our inalienable right to keep and bear arms.
You wrote:
"However, I also support efforts to reduce gun violence and promote firearms safety."
Guns are inanimate objects, incapable of committing "violence". If you seriously wish to 'reduce gun violence' (meaning violence in which guns are used), you must support legislation which supports the arrest and incarceration of violent offenders. This is the ONLY approach to reducing violent crime which has demonstrable effectiveness.
You wrote:
"As a member of Congress, I voted for banning assault weapons such as AK-47's."
I am sorry that you were deceived, Senator Nelson, but you did nothing of the kind. What you voted for was a bill to ban 'semi-auto AK-47 lookalikes', which grade into the semi-auto firearms used by millions of Americans for sport and defense. True AK-47 type weapons (with select automatic-fire capability) have been heavily taxed and regulated since the National Firearms Act of 1934, and manufacture banned in 1986.
You Wrote:
"It is imperative that such firearms are kept out of the hands of felons."
Two questions here. Do you, or any of the supporters of the AWB have any evidence that this piece of legislation has, indeed, 'kept' the banned firearms out of the hand of felons?
And, since it is already illegal, under both pre-existing Federal and State law, for ANY felon to possess ANY firearm...what is the point of this legislation? A 'felon' has demonstrated the capacity for ignoring such laws in pursuit of his chosen life of crime.
You close with:
"I will keep your thoughts and concerns in mind when the Senate debates the extension of the Assault Weapons Ban."
As my elected representative in the Senate, I would expect no less from you.
Please bear in mind that this legislation passed only narrowly ten years ago, and that your party lost control of both houses in the subsequent elections. It is 'pointless' law, which achieves nothing but the promotion of a failed ideology...that of 'gun control' rather than 'crime control'.
Sincerely,
