Reply Letter from JOHN CORNYN

[blue06van]

The best reply email I recieved so far.


Dear Mr. ________:

Thank you for contacting me about federal firearms laws. I appreciate having the benefit of your comments on this matter.

It is essential to safeguard the law-abiding citizen's right to own and use firearms designed for legitimate purposes such as hunting, target shooting, collecting, and self protection. Restricting this right runs counter to the intent of our Founding Fathers, who expressly guaranteed that citizens would retain the right to keep and bear arms.

As a former Texas Supreme Court Justice and Attorney General, I have firsthand knowledge of crime-fighting policies that work, and I believe that citizens' Second Amendment rights should not be restricted because of the actions of criminals. Rather, we must respect the rights of law-abiding citizens and focus our attention on the source of violent crime: criminals who use firearms to commit crimes. I believe that strictly enforcing the law and meting out longer sentences for career criminals and those who use firearms when committing crimes will reduce crime much more effectively than gun or equipment bans.

I appreciate the opportunity to represent Texans in the United States Senate, and you may be certain that I will continue working with my colleagues to uphold our Second Amendment rights. Thank you for taking the time to contact me.

Sincerely,

JOHN CORNYN
United States Senator

 

[longhorngunman]

Most of us here in Texas are very proud of him. To bad he's only in his first term. A little more time and he'd make a great Presidential candidate for our side.

 

[Kim]

This letter shows a BIG difference in a Conservative and a Liberal. One reason liberals like gun control is they do NOT want to punish criminals. They want to disarm everyone so we will all be equal and equally defenseless. They believe criminals are that way because of social institutions of government do not do enough to HELP them. They think poverty causes crime instead of crime causing poverty. They do not believe human nature is good and evil just all good. They do not believe in crime and punishment instead they believe in crime and rehab. or "restorative" justice. It does not bother them that most violent crime is by those with a long rap sheet, those in and out of the pookey. They feel no remorse when these people murder. It is not the persons fault it is the firearm, Captialism, Corporations and the USA that cause all bad behavior. I like this guy. He is one of the few left with common sense and a knowledge of right and wrong. That being said I think that prison time should be reserved for violent criminals. The others can work for the rest of their lives to make retribution to those harmed and spend weekends in the local jail for many years and do much degrading( I mean character building public work ie pick up the trash etc) for a long time.

 

[winchester62]

I received the exact same letter today. At least he's on our side!

 

[hoji]

It is essential to safeguard the law-abiding citizen's right to own and use firearms designed for legitimate purposes such as hunting, target shooting, collecting, and self protection

This guy is a typical politician. The Founding Fathers meant nothing of the kind when the Constitution was written. The Second is a doomsday clause to fight a tyrannical government, not a hunting clause.

Dont let your political heros pull a Zumbo and get away with it.

 

[BigG]

He is a politician.

I believe that citizens' Second Amendment rights should not be restricted because of the actions of criminals. Rather, we must respect the rights of law-abiding citizens and focus our attention on the source of violent crime: criminals who use firearms to commit crimes. I believe that strictly enforcing the law and meting out longer sentences for career criminals and those who use firearms when committing crimes

His emphasis is controlling firearms, not criminals, as you can see from the wording of his letter. If you control criminals, the firearms take care of themselves, don't they? But it's much easier to blame an inanimate object, make a law against it and declare victory than to deal with messy rogue humans, isn't it?

 

[longhorngunman]

Huh? Some here are still upset by his response? This guy is a good one for our side, this ain't one you have to be worried about voting for more gun legislation. In the coming years due to changing demographics and societal views it ain't gonna get any easier for our side. Cornyn is one gun owners need to stand with.

 

[BigG]

Sure - I'm just saying he gave himself an "out." There is nothing in that letter about protecting 2nd Amendment rights.

 

[ServiceSoon]

I agree with hoji. When I read this I felt a little uneasy. You have to be careful what you say and how you say it to a gun owner advocate. We take this war seriously.

Edit: The real test is to send something to him implying that guns are evil and cause crimes etc. Then see how he responds.

 

[ID_shooting]

"Huh? Some here are still upset by his response?"

I believe it comes from folk such as my self and our reaction to comments like "meting out longer sentences for career criminals and those who use firearms."

I do not like longer or more severe punishment baased on the tool used to commit a crime. It makes no difference. Knife, club, Uzi, or Cadillac, the results are the same. It is the intent and the act that should be the determining factor. When you seperate out the tool instead of the person, you are partialy laying the blame on that tool which in turn demonizes guns and gun owners.

 

[Juna]

Pretty good letter... about as good as you'll get from a politician & much better than I got from mine. However, I disagree with two statements he made:

#1:

focus our attention on the source of violent crime: criminals who use firearms to commit crimes

This is not the sole source of violent crime, and it's purported to be such by the anti-gunners. I believe about 60% of violent crime is committed WITHOUT a firearm, if memory serves.

#2:

It is essential to safeguard the law-abiding citizen's right to own and use firearms designed for legitimate purposes such as hunting, target shooting, collecting, and self protection

Our IIA RKBA is a blanket right without regard to our purposes in owning firearms. This is another ploy used by the anti-gunners...somehow implying that our RKBA is contingent upon "sporting purposes" or any other purpose. It's a guaranteed right--regardless of our purpose. The phrase "legitimate purposes" is nowhere in the IIA.

 

[BobTheTomato]

It seems to me like people wont be happy until these guys say in their form letters they want to repeal any and all gun laws ever passed. These are form letters sent out to let people know they will vote with the NRA

 

[BigG]

Form Letter

I just wonder why they disrespect a person who bothers to send an individual letter by sending them a form letter in response.

They should go on record with some actual thoughts rather than giving a canned response. Or am I asking too much?

 

[TexasRifleman]

focus our attention on the source of violent crime: criminals who use firearms to commit crimes

Jeez people.....

You sent him an email about guns, he placed guns in his reply.

Hang him!!!

 

[rhubarb]

Modern Politician's Bill of Rights:

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of peaceful religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof except in public; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press when they print the party line; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances even though the Congress will not listen.

Amendment II

The right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed except to restrict the type of legal arms and to outlaw the bearing of arms by normal citizens.

Amendment III

No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, unless there is trace residue of drugs in that house, in which case police soldiers may have their way with the residents and the structure.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall be fantasy, and no warrants shall issue, but upon any supposition, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized and allowing sufficient leeway to go on a fishing expedition.

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger unless it is politically expedient and judgment may be carried out in the public press without benefit of the court ; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself unless he uses a telephone or internets, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation unless that person carries on his person or property drugs or cash.

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by a jury of those who have nothing better to do and who are chosen not for their fairness but for their prejudices, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

Amendment VII

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and facts tried by a jury, shall be otherwise rehashed in any court of the United States, according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required except at the discretion of the judge, nor excessive fines imposed, nor sufficient punishments inflicted in many cases.

Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to allow or enhance any others claimed by the People.

Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are open for any subsequent interpretation.


Feel free to edit to your own pleasure. Lord knows Congress does.

I got one of them there same letters from Mr. Cornyn.

 

[LAR-15]

Or am I asking too much?

Your asking way too much.

Politicians don't have time to individually respond to every letter sent them.

If you want to get their specific thoughts, meet with them in person.

 

[longrifleman]

or the right of the people peaceably to assemble in fenced enclosures under armed guard miles away from any politicians or news cameras,


nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation unless that person carries on his person or property drugs, cash or the future reciepient of the confiscated property offers a large enough bribe,

to be confronted with the witnesses against him unless we want to use national security as an excuse to railroad somebody

the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and facts tried by a jury only if we can't think up enough charges to scare the accused into taking a plea bargain to keep our conviction rates up so we can get re-elected easier

 

[Flyboy]

It is essential to safeguard the law-abiding citizen's right to own and use firearms designed for legitimate purposes such as hunting, target shooting, collecting, and self protection...

...and opposing tyrannical governments.

There, fixed it for you.

 

[Grayrock]

Well- I got the exact same response today. This answers my question of if it was a personal response or a form letter. At least I view it as a positive position for us gun owners.

 

[wjustinen]

A follow-up e-mail

thanking him for his response and asking if he would support removing current infringements such as gun-free zones and sporting purpose clauses in federal statutes might be a good way to get a better handle on just how "friendly" he is.

 

[springmom]

That's my senator!!!

Springmom

 

[hoji]

That's my senator!!!

And this is his position:

It is essential to safeguard the law-abiding citizen's right to own and use firearms designed for legitimate purposes such as hunting, target shooting, collecting, and self protection.

Notice where self protection is in his list.

 

[TX1911fan]

Got the same letter. I also got a great letter from him on illegal immigration. He and Kay Bailey are doing a good job for us.

 

[wally]

With the abysmally low ratings of both the President and the Congress, can you really blame a politico for not wanting to remind folks about the Founding Father's original intent for the Second Amendment?

Folks might stat thinking its time....

Yes Texas voters have been generally making very good choices at the state level, Houston OTOH, thinks its above the law.

--wally.

 

[Grayrock]

Hoji- at least it is ON his list. Does the order really matter?