Response from my State Senator

[mack69]

I received this response from my state senator regarding the AWB after writing a legnthy letter asking him to vote against the renewal etc.
Any one care to help me respond to this memo?? I'm thinking I don't like his stats..... mack

Dear Mack,

Thank you for your message about reauthorizing the federal assault weapons ban. I appreciate knowing your thoughts about this issue.

I am not against the possession of guns. Americans are entitled to own and use guns in a responsible fashion. Strong penalties for violent crimes involving firearms should be part of any effort to reduce gun violence. I have consistently supported tough crime control and prevention initiatives since coming to Congress.

Enforcing our nation's existing gun control laws must remain a high priority. I support efforts that address the illegal possession and use of firearms.

The 1994 federal assault weapons ban is set to expire on September 13, 2004. This ban is supported by law enforcement officials who must patrol our streets. Since its enactment, the ban has been an effective tool in reducing crime. In 1993, assault weapons accounted for 8.2 percent of all guns used in crimes. By 1996, the last date for which statistics are available, that percentage had fallen to 3.2 percent. Furthermore, in 1999, the National Institute of Justice reported that gun trace requests for assault weapons declined 20 percent in the first calendar year after the ban took effect. While the assault weapons ban will not totally eliminate the illegal use of assault weapons, it is an important measure that increases public safety.

On March 2, 2004, I voted in favor of an amendment to the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, S. 1805, that would have reauthorized the 1994 federal assault weapons ban for an additional 10 years. The amendment passed by a vote of 52-47. However, the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act was subsequently defeated by a vote of 8-90.
I will continue to stand with law enforcement in the effort to help ensure our nation's gun laws are fully enforced.

Thanks again for your message.
Sincerely,
Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator

RJD/el

P.S. If you are ever visiting Washington, please feel free to join Senator Fitzgerald and me at our weekly constituent coffee. When the Senate is in session, we provide coffee and donuts every Thursday at 8:30 a.m. as we hear what is on the minds of Illinoisans and respond to your questions. We would welcome your participation. Please call my D.C. office for more details.

 

[Librarian]

He's drinking DiFi's Kool-Aid, and that of the Brady bunch.

This is based on a mistake – the figures come from guns traced (“The data obtained from the Department of Justice shows a steady decline of criminal firearm traces in which the 19 banned assault weapons were used.†http://feinstein.senate.gov/03Releases/r-assaultwepsrate1.htm )

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms says this about traces:

Trace requests represent an unknown portion of all the guns used in crimes. ATF is not able to trace guns manufactured before 1968, most surplus military weapons, imported guns without the importer's name, stolen guns, and guns missing a legible serial number.
Police agencies do not request traces on all firearms used in crimes. Not all firearms used in crimes are recovered so that a trace could be done and, in some States and localities, the police agencies may be able to establish ownership locally without going to the ATF.

“Guns Used in Crimeâ€, July 1995, NCJ-148201, on the web at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/pdf/guic.pdf

What continues to strike me as odd is the insistance on using data in a way specifically disclaimed by the agency that collects the data.

You get Durbin, I have Feinstein, we're both in trouble here.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Fire him.

 

[Don Gwinn]

Durbin is our Schumer. You MIGHT get rid of him if he decides to be some goofball's Vice President someday, or if he turns up in a snuff film. Otherwise, he's Senator for life.
Illinois Republicans can't even mount a serious challenge for Fitzgerald's seat, much less take Durbin's away. Just wait until next year when Durbin and Obama are our Senators.

 

[ACP230]

Is Durbin (Durban) still taking contributions from kids after their parents max out their legal contribution limits?

Back in the 90's he was caught taking money from underage kids, and from children who were of age but had no idea they had "contributed" since their parents had really kicked in the cash.

National Review covered this in an article in 1993. I kept hoping he and Sen. Levin (D) MI would go to jail like Dan (17 Count) Rostenkowski, (D) IL., but no luck.