My Senator wrote me back...sorta

[marriedguy1]

I wrote a letter to my Senator about the DC gun buy back when it happened, and I didn’t expect to get any response till I opened the mail box today.

Dear Friend:
Thank you for contacting me regarding gun control in the District of Columbia. I welcome your thoughts and comments on this issue.

The District of Columbia—through the Firearms Control Regulations Act of 1975—has instituted some of the most restrictive gun control laws in the nation which deny residents of their fundamental and constitutional right to own a firearm for defense of self and family. While the Mayor and the DC Council have the authority to pass laws that regulate the sale of hand guns, they do not have the authority to pass laws that undermine the Constitution. Prior to the gun ban’s implementation, the murder rate in the District was on the decline. Following the ban, the murder rate began to rise and had tripled by 1991, while violent crime was decreasing nationally. In order to correct this inequity and injustice under the law, I have introduced S. 1082, the District of Columbia Personal Protection Act, to repeal the District’s existing handgun ban and restore District residents’ constitutionally guaranteed right to protect themselves. Currently, this legislation is under review by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Rather than usurping the rights of law-abiding citizens, I believe we should vigorously prosecute those who use guns to commit crimes. I have worked to enact federal anti-crime legislation to impose tough minimum sentences on those convicted of using firearms to commit crimes, prevent early parole for violent criminals, and provide federal funds to build new prisons and fund local law enforcement. I will continue to support legislation that fights crime and upholds our Second Amendment rights.

I appreciate hearing from you and hope you will not hesitate to keep in touch on any issue of concern to you.

Sincerely,
Kay Bailey Hutchison

I realize it’s pretty much a canned response, but I do like what my senator has to say.

 

[countertop]

KB is one of the good guys (or gals, as the case may be)

 

[cloudedice]

She does seem like she's hard fighting for us, however I diapprove of minimum sentences.

Be glad you're being represented by one of the good ones.

 

[Kim]

I have NO problem with minimum sentences. Some Judges are just tooooo easy on the convicted criminal. I remember why we got the minimuns to begin with. Liberal Judges letting the violent criminal back through the revolving door. Still happens today with plea bargins etc. I think all violent criminals should have a long sentence. And that includes rape. We used to give the death penalty for rape. They at least need 30 years or life without parole. If we keep letting people get out of prision and murdering people we just get more screaming for gun control. Most murders are by persons with a long rap sheet. Now I would be for getting rid of about 90 percent of our laws. Turn them into a fine at best.

 

[swampgator]

I remember when she was running for her (I believe first) senate seat back in 1994. She was very respected in Central Texas.

 

[Burnsie]

I worked for a congressman, and personally wrote form-letters. That's a good one!

 

[marriedguy1]

I also have no problem with mandatory minimum sentences. I believe that criminals count on getting out quickly and not really having to do their time in jail. Of course I also believe that there should be some better educational opportunities in prison for the inmates that wish to pursue it. I think that if the inmates were presented with an option for an education at little or no cost then they would go for it. After they get out of jail, hopefully get a job and pay taxes to become a useful member of society.

I also thought it was a pretty darn good letter and I'll send her some more correspondence after the elections. I wonder how much mail Senators receive on a daily or weekly basis?

 

[FTF]

Minimum sentences are the solution for violent crime. Build more jails. Stop enforcing the stupid crap like pot and people carrying guns in "prohibited" places. How people even have "rap sheets" pages long is beyond me... obviously they are never goin to change!! Lock them up forever as far as I'm concerned.

 

[rhubarb]

I voted for her in 2000. I sorta planned to vote for her again this year because of her pro-gun stance.

I saw a debate on the teevee Saturday night with Ms. Pork Barrel Highway Hutchison, Scott Jameson of the kook Libertarian party and Barbara Radnofsky playing the Democrat straightperson. It seemed that Hutchison and Radnofsky were arguing over who was the better Democrat and Jameson was telling it like it is.

I will not vote for another Republican, no matter how good they have performed with regard to the Second Amendment. If it weren't for the "other issues", our Founding Fathers wouldn't have been so enamored of guns that they would amend the Constitution to specifically protect our gun rights.

I will not vote for another politics-as-usual Republican.

Even when it is an Honorable Republican Senator who first ran with a plank on her platform promising to push for term limits and promised to serve only two terms who is running for her third term and stands firmly in support of the Second Amendment, I will not vote for another Republican. Even if every gun-banning Feinsteinshumerconyerspelosi Democrat who is running is elected, I will hold my head high as I dig a hole to cache my guns because I know that I voted right. Make no mistake, I will not vote for another Republican.