Langenator
Member
Yesterday I sent e-mails urging an end to the AWB to my Congressman (Adam Smith-D, 9th District, WA), my Senators (Murray and Cantwell, both Dems), as well as George Nethercutt, GOP Congressman from the 5th District who is running against Murray in November. I got responses from Rep Smith and Senator Cantwell today.
Rep. Smith's reply is moderately encouraging. He at least seems open to listen to information from our side. He is a Democrat, but his district includes Ft Lewis and a big chunk of rural territory (Roy, Yelm, Tenino) as well as the home of the biggest gun show in the state (Puyallup). I will definitely be taking my time and making sure the letters I send him are solid.
Senator Cantwell is, alas, a complete loss. She'll still get letters, just so she knows she's being watched.
Rep. Smith's response:
Thank you for contacting me regarding Assault Weapons Ban and Law
Enforcement Protection Act of 2003, HR 2038. I appreciate you taking the
time to share your thoughts and concerns with me on this important
matter.
As you know, this legislation was introduced by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy
(D-NY) on May 8, 2003 and would reauthorize the assault weapons ban.
The original ban was passed into law in 1994 and is set to expire at the
end of this year.
I do have a problem with the definition of a semi-automatic weapon as
specified in this bill. I believe the way this legislation is written
it could potentially limit the availability of weapons that look
dangerous but actually serve a vital self-defense or hunting purpose.
Therefore my concern is how to draw the line between the weapons that are
actually dangerous and those that just appear menacing.
Clearly there are semi automatic weapons that are dangerous and should
not be available for purchase by every citizen (such as military
weapons). The important task before us is to keep these kinds of weapons out
of the hands of dangerous individuals.
My first goal in this matter is to find the balance between ensuring
the safety of our citizens while ensuring freedom guaranteed under the
Second Amendment. My ultimate goal is to limit the availability of the
dangerous weapons.
At this point in the debate, I am still researching both sides of this
issue. If you have any information you would like to pass along on
this matter I will be more than happy to take a look at it. For your
knowledge, HR 2038 is currently awaiting review before the House Committee
on the Judiciary. If this legislation comes to the House floor for a
vote, I will keep your thoughts and concerns in mind.
Again, I want to thank you for contacting me on this important matter.
If you have any additional questions, comments or concerns, please do
not hesitate to contact me.
Adam Smith
Member of Congress
-------------------------
Sen. Cantwell:
Thank you for contacting me to express your views on the assault
weapons ban. I appreciate hearing your concerns about gun control and
understand how strongly you feel about the right to bear arms.
You should know that I take our Constitution very seriously. It is a
most fundamental goal for me as your Senator to work to uphold the
rights guaranteed by our founding document. Furthermore, I know that
recreational use and collection of guns for hunting, sport, and other
activities is extremely important to you and many other law-abiding
Washingtonians.
Just as I am committed to protecting Second Amendment rights, I believe
you would agree with my long-standing conviction that we must keep guns
out of the hands of criminals and children. I believe that the Assault
Weapons Ban has been a tool that has aided efforts to keep uniquely
dangerous weapons out of the wrong hands. The Assault Weapons Ban
prohibits the sale of 19 semiautomatic assault weapons and the production of
ammunition clips that hold more than ten rounds. As you may know,
President Bush supports reauthorizing the ban, as do all major law
enforcement organization in the country. I look forward to working in a
bipartisan way to maintain this common sense gun law.
As your Senator, you can be assured that I will work to protect the
legitimate rights of law-abiding American gun-owners, while continuing to
support responsible gun control legislation to reduce crime and make
our communities safer. I believe both of these goals are important and
can be simultaneously accomplished through common-sense gun laws and
stricter enforcement of existing laws.
Again, thank you for contacting me on this important issue. Please do
not hesitate to contact me again on this or any other issue.
Sincerely,
Maria Cantwell
United States Senator
Rep. Smith's reply is moderately encouraging. He at least seems open to listen to information from our side. He is a Democrat, but his district includes Ft Lewis and a big chunk of rural territory (Roy, Yelm, Tenino) as well as the home of the biggest gun show in the state (Puyallup). I will definitely be taking my time and making sure the letters I send him are solid.
Senator Cantwell is, alas, a complete loss. She'll still get letters, just so she knows she's being watched.
Rep. Smith's response:
Thank you for contacting me regarding Assault Weapons Ban and Law
Enforcement Protection Act of 2003, HR 2038. I appreciate you taking the
time to share your thoughts and concerns with me on this important
matter.
As you know, this legislation was introduced by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy
(D-NY) on May 8, 2003 and would reauthorize the assault weapons ban.
The original ban was passed into law in 1994 and is set to expire at the
end of this year.
I do have a problem with the definition of a semi-automatic weapon as
specified in this bill. I believe the way this legislation is written
it could potentially limit the availability of weapons that look
dangerous but actually serve a vital self-defense or hunting purpose.
Therefore my concern is how to draw the line between the weapons that are
actually dangerous and those that just appear menacing.
Clearly there are semi automatic weapons that are dangerous and should
not be available for purchase by every citizen (such as military
weapons). The important task before us is to keep these kinds of weapons out
of the hands of dangerous individuals.
My first goal in this matter is to find the balance between ensuring
the safety of our citizens while ensuring freedom guaranteed under the
Second Amendment. My ultimate goal is to limit the availability of the
dangerous weapons.
At this point in the debate, I am still researching both sides of this
issue. If you have any information you would like to pass along on
this matter I will be more than happy to take a look at it. For your
knowledge, HR 2038 is currently awaiting review before the House Committee
on the Judiciary. If this legislation comes to the House floor for a
vote, I will keep your thoughts and concerns in mind.
Again, I want to thank you for contacting me on this important matter.
If you have any additional questions, comments or concerns, please do
not hesitate to contact me.
Adam Smith
Member of Congress
-------------------------
Sen. Cantwell:
Thank you for contacting me to express your views on the assault
weapons ban. I appreciate hearing your concerns about gun control and
understand how strongly you feel about the right to bear arms.
You should know that I take our Constitution very seriously. It is a
most fundamental goal for me as your Senator to work to uphold the
rights guaranteed by our founding document. Furthermore, I know that
recreational use and collection of guns for hunting, sport, and other
activities is extremely important to you and many other law-abiding
Washingtonians.
Just as I am committed to protecting Second Amendment rights, I believe
you would agree with my long-standing conviction that we must keep guns
out of the hands of criminals and children. I believe that the Assault
Weapons Ban has been a tool that has aided efforts to keep uniquely
dangerous weapons out of the wrong hands. The Assault Weapons Ban
prohibits the sale of 19 semiautomatic assault weapons and the production of
ammunition clips that hold more than ten rounds. As you may know,
President Bush supports reauthorizing the ban, as do all major law
enforcement organization in the country. I look forward to working in a
bipartisan way to maintain this common sense gun law.
As your Senator, you can be assured that I will work to protect the
legitimate rights of law-abiding American gun-owners, while continuing to
support responsible gun control legislation to reduce crime and make
our communities safer. I believe both of these goals are important and
can be simultaneously accomplished through common-sense gun laws and
stricter enforcement of existing laws.
Again, thank you for contacting me on this important issue. Please do
not hesitate to contact me again on this or any other issue.
Sincerely,
Maria Cantwell
United States Senator