Got a letter from my Congressman...

[Nightcrawler]

Back when I was really sick, I woke up one afternoon after a night of fitful, feverish sleep to find all of you folks hollering that the Assault Weapons Ban had been renewed.

You guys remember?

Well, that did end up working out okay, but during the middle of it I sat down and e-mailed my Congressman. My Representative is Bart Stupak, since I live in Michigan's First District. He's a Democrat, but Upper Michigan is full of gun owners, and there are plenty of ARs and AKs to be had.

I explained to him the ineffectiveness of the AW ban at fighting crime and how possession of such things as a bayonet lug (a piece of metal), a folding stock (a piece of metal with a hinge), or a flash hider (a piece of metal with slots in it) shouldn't warrant putting someone in prison.

I was shocked to find out that he apparently agrees with me.

In 1994 the House and Senate narrowly passed a ban on the sale and posession of 19 semi-automataic guns and ammunition clips holding more than 10 rounds. I voted against this badn and subsequently voted for legislation to repeal thte ban on semi-automatic weapons. While this repeal passed the House, it never made it to the floor of teh Senate. Now, the 1994 assault weapons ban will expire on September 13, 2004

According to a survey of 203,300 state and federal prisoners in 1997 who had been armed during the commission of the crimes for which they were incarcerated, fewer than 1 in 50, or less than 2%, used, carried, or possessed a fully automatic or semiautomatic assault weapon. I believe the ban on these firearms unfairly penalizes responsible sprotsmen and gun owners for owning rifles used for hunting, target shooting, and collecting, without getting any closer to solving the problem of violent crime.

Please rest assured that I will continue to oppose measures that seek to take guns away from law abiding citizens.

He goes on to say that that crime is a multi-faceted social problem for which gun control is not a viable solution.

This was a much better answer than I expected from him. I'll be voting for him this November, assuming he sticks to his guns, so to speak.

 

[FPrice]

"My Representative is Bart Stupak,"

Seems to me there was a thread about him and a problem with the NRA sometime in the past. But it sounds like he is a 2A supporter.

 

[Frohickey]

Bart Stupak was A-rated by the NRA, up until 1999, when he got a C-grade. Seems that he voted for giving the BATFE-monkeys more regulatory authority to shut down gun shows and tax them without limit.

Sounds like he needs some coaxing to get him back up to A+ rating. You want foaming-at-the-mouth-NFA34-busting-2nd-Amendment-is-for-people-M16-for-everyone Congresscritters in the House.

 

[PATH]

I am glad you have a greta congressman. I have Nita Lowey.

 

[Nightcrawler]

You want foaming-at-the-mouth-NFA34-busting-2nd-Amendment-is-for-people-M16-for-everyone Congresscritters in the House.

Problem is, folks like that don't usually stay in office long, especially in Michigan, a fairly decent Gun State that is unduly influenced by the ninnies in Wayne County, Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Lansing. (We have those folks to thank for our handgun registration.)

I'll take what I can get. Too bad I have to "settle" like this, but he at least has a proven track record for opposing the AW Ban, despite pressure from his party. I'm not going to complain, with the way things are these days.

 

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

I remember the kerfuffle with Bart in 2000. The NRA went gunning for him and he did a "60 Minutes" mea culpa about "hey, I am very pro-2A." He got his press about the NRA beating up on poor Bart. Apparently he survived.

I am OK with his response. Keep an eye on his actions. I believe that he is probably a good guy.

 

[Sungun09]

Senator George Allen - VA

I received a form letter from Senator Allen explaining why he voted NO to continue the AWB.

He actually explained his vote which was very logical.

Please let him know we appreciate his stand.