Two Tennessee Congressman Respond

[PRM]

Two Congressman from Tennessee respond to citizen's gun concerns. Republican Diane Black responded in a strong PRO-2nd Amendment manner. Democrat Jim Cooper responded. Tennessee voters should take notice and make their voices heard.

"Congressman Jim Cooper" [email protected]

"Congressman Diane Black" [email protected]

Thank you for contacting me concerning gun control and our 2 nd Amendment rights. I appreciate you taking the time to express your thoughts on this important issue.

As you may know, the tragedies in Newtown, Connecticut and Aurora, Colorado have prompted some lawmakers to consider new weapons bans, such as the recent legislation proposed by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) which would prohibit the sale, transfer, importation and manufacturing of so-called " assault weapons " as well as large ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 rounds .

While I believe that these horrific events warrant a serious discussion on what can be done to prevent future violence, I do not believe that greater government restrictions on gun ownership offer a viable solution to this problem and am not supportive of additional firearm bans; including the AR-15 rifle.

As a firearm owner and supporter of responsible gun ownership, I believe that our 2 nd Amendment rights are fundamental and must be protected. The discussion on gun control by the main stream media and some of my colleagues in Congress will only treat the symptoms of these tragic events, doing little to address the root cause behind how these incidents occur. Furthermore, they operate on the completely misguided premise that criminals will obey gun laws.

Instead of this approach , we must work to strengthen families and empower parents to provide safe home environments for their children and to recognize aggressive behaviors early on. Additionally, we must work with our communities to curb the trend of desensitization to violence, profanity and other high-risk behaviors glamorized by videogames and movies that often consume children's time, and shift to a culture that respects the sanctity and value of each innocent human life.

As a nurse for more than 40 years, I believe we must be prepared for a conversation on school violence as it relates to mental health. While many details remain unclear regarding the motives of the gunmen in the Newtown, Connecticut and Aurora, Colorado tragedies, we know that these individual were among the millions of Americans with a mental disorder, and may have benefitted from treatment options or more frequent opportunities to speak with counselors. Examples such as this are among the many reasons I continue to advocate for patient-centered healthcare reforms that will offer those facing mental disabilities access to the care that they need.

As discussion continues over what can be done to stop future acts of violence and keep our citizens safe, rest assured that I will work to achieve these goals in a way that upholds the provisions of 2 nd Amendment and protects the rights of private citizens.

Sincerely,
Signature
Diane Black
Member of Congress

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Thank you for contacting me about legislation to ban certain types of firearms and ammunition. I appreciate hearing your perspective and am happy to respond.

December's horrific school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut left twenty innocent children and six brave adults dead. This tragedy has rightly focused our attention on what we can do to prevent violence like this in the future, and I am willing to consider any proposal that will keep our children safe, regardless of politics. Nothing is more important.

President Obama has appointed the Vice President to lead a task force charged with proposing "concrete solutions" to curb gun violence. The Vice President announced its recommendations will be presented to the President no later than Tuesday, January 15 th . I look forward to carefully reviewing its proposals, and will be sure to keep your thoughts in mind going forward. I encourage you to keep in touch on this issue as proposals evolve in the coming months.

Thanks for sharing your views with me. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me again with any other questions or concerns.

Sincerely,
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Jim Cooper
Member of Congress

 

[Axel Larson]

At least one responded favorably.

 

[USAF_Vet]

The Vice President announced its recommendations will be presented to the President no later than Tuesday, January 15 th.

I wonder if he intended to refer to Biden as an 'it'.

 

[-v-]

Sen. Lamar Alexander
[email protected]

Thanks very much and letting me know what’s on your mind regarding the right to bear arms.

I’m a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights. Congress should not pass laws that take away these rights from law abiding citizens and leave criminals to terrorize the streets. Good citizens don’t abuse guns – criminals do. I will continue to support legislative efforts to protect the Second Amendment rights of law abiding Americans, and oppose efforts to overturn the Second Amendment.

In two recent cases, the U.S. Supreme Court clearly held that the Second Amendment protects the right of individual Americans to keep and bear arms. In the 2008 case, D.C. v. Heller, the Supreme Court held that D.C.’s restrictive gun laws violated the constitutional rights of Americans. Two years later, in McDonald v. Chicago, the court struck down the city of Chicago’s handgun ban and held that, like the federal government, state and local governments must respect Second Amendment rights. I joined legal briefs in both cases in defense of this constitutional right and was pleased with the Supreme Court’s decisions.

I am grateful you took the time to let me know where you stand. I’ll be sure to keep your comments in mind as Second Amendment rights are discussed and debated in Washington and in Tennessee.

Sincerely,
Lamar

Rep. Chuck Fleishmann
[email protected]

Thank you for contacting me about the recent heartbreaking tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut. I appreciate hearing your thoughts on this horrendous attack on our children, and I remain honored to represent you in Congress.

On December 14, 2012 a deranged young man attacked the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown Connecticut, brutally murdering 20 first graders and 6 adults. This unspeakable attack shook the town of Newtown to its core and forced many of us to question how anyone could be so evil as to murder children.

In the wake of this shooting there are no easy answers. I have heard suggestions for limiting 2nd Amendment rights to increasing resources for mental health issues to putting armed school resource officers in every school. I oppose limiting gun rights, however I do believe that there is merit in the other two suggestions, although these solutions may be better implemented at the state or local level than at the federal level. School resources and needs are no doubt very different in a small Tennessee town than in New York City or in rural Alaska.

This horrific act leads me to hug my children a little bit tighter, but ultimately the search for answers to this shooting yields few clues. We know little about the shooter and what could have driven him to kill.

I urge you to join me in keeping the victims and their families in your prayers in the wake of this horrible crime. Thank you again for your concern and please do not hesitate to let me know if I may be of additional assistance.


Sincerely,

Chuck Fleischmann
Member of Congress

So, make that 1 senator against any new new legislation, 2 Reps against and 1 for.