How hard is it to get an appointment with your State Rep?

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ccarnel

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I was just wondering how hard it would be to get an appointment to speak with your state representative? Though I doubt I would actually get to speak directly to him I'm wondering if I should make an appearance at his office here in Birmingham, AL. Artur Davis is one of My reps and is a Democrat on the Judiciary Committee. He was rated as a B by the GOA and I'm wondering if he is sitting on the fence on this issue.

If I make a trip down there what points should I emphasize?
 
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NH is a pretty cool state in a political sense. We have great access to our state reps, mostly because there are 400 of them split up among just over a million or so people. They also don't get paid.

I've heard anecdotes of folks calling up their rep's house (reps often give out their home number, their cell number, and so on) to voice their opinion on an issue, and getting invited over for dinner or a chat. Citizens can go down to the state house and testify for or against bills, sign the sheet stating whether they're for or against, and can sit in on just about any legislative action that goes on.

We have quite a few "citizen lobbyists" in NH who do great work researching bills, researching related issues, and testifying on those bills in committee.

So I can't say how easy it'll be in Alabama, mainly because I don't know how things work down there. But I would imagine that a state representative would be very accessible and very open to hearing from their constituents.
 
Call up their office and ask the staffer how to get 15,30 minutes of their time. They'll tell you.

Failing that, figure out what the fundraiser luncheon schedule is, and buy yourself a $30 plate of rubber chicken. That'll get you a handshake and a minute or two of face time.

Be well dressed, polite, and prepared.
 
Is there a list of concise talking points that I could speak with him about?
I'm thinking something along the lines of mentioning:

-FBI study of 94 ban's ineffectiveness against reducing crime. Also emphasize that rifles are rarely used in crime to begin with.

-The vague language of the bill itself, in essense allowing the attourney general deciding what is and what isn't an "assault weapon" and the inclusion of a wide variety of firearms to include some shotguns and popular target rifles.

-Emphasizing the ban is concentrating on the cosmetic appearance of the weapon and to make sure he understands what a semi automatic firearm is.

-conclude by emphasizing that the shooting community does want to help reduce crime but that these bans will do little or nothing in that regard

Also, does anyone have links to material I can print out for him that he might be able to keep?
 
I'm glad you posted this.

It's not hard for me to get an appointment. Since I'm politically active, I'm on a first name basis with my current and former state rep (as well as state senator). It's harder to get an appointment with my Congressman, but I do know him personally as well. He knows me and knows my stances. I'm a Republican, so that makes it easier for me.

That's not intended to be bragging. That's something that IMO should be expected of all citizens. Knowing their legislative staff members and campaign staff are just as important as knowing the reps themselves. I'm not rich. I'm not famous, nor important outside of my very small sphere of influence. A few dozen votes or so.

Our reps work for us. If they do a good job for us, we re-hire them.
 
I don't know much about Davis. I'd say the most important thing it just talking to him at a constitutent event and reading his responses. He won in a Democrat primary over an incumbent not all that long ago, so he may be watching some of his votes.

Issue wise, I'd mention the AG provision the most.
 
I looked up some of his key votes and he voted down the .50 caliber ban!! This guy might be on the fence!
 
I spoke with one of his staff members and I'm required to send a request to set up a meeting hopefully before H.R. 1022 gains any traction
 
Here is my request

I would like to request to meet with Representative Artur Davis or one of his staff members regarding H.R. 1022. The bill is an attempt to reinstate a modified version of the 1994 "Assault Weapons Ban." Rep Davis is on the House Judiciary Committee where this bill has been introduced.
 
Mine's a very nice guy who's easy to speak with at almost anytime. He understands the issues very clearly, but doesn't have much stomach for a fight of any type with anyone. He sort of smiles, agrees with you, thanks you for the perspective and then does nothing. Could be a lot worse, but I imagine that many are like this having gotten into politics for all the right reasons only to have lost the spark somewhere along the way.
 
It wouldn't be hard. I know him anyway. He is the sponsor of HB 340, Montana's self defense and Alaska carry bill.

However, Montana's legislature meets for only 90 days every other year, so when they are in session, they are busier'n a one-legged man in a butt kickin' contest.
 
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