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Thank you for expressing your concerns over gun control and access to mental health care.

When our children and families are no longer safe at our schools, in our malls, and in our movie theaters, we as a country must take action. The shocking numbers of public shootings throughout the country last year, culminating in Newtown, Connecticut, demand that we engage in a serious national... [MORE]

Thank you for expressing your concerns over gun control and access to mental health care.

When our children and families are no longer safe at our schools, in our malls, and in our movie theaters, we as a country must take action. The shocking numbers of public shootings throughout the country last year, culminating in Newtown, Connecticut, demand that we engage in a serious national discussion.

Many people have expressed concerns about holes in our mental health care system that contributes to violence. Though people with mental illness are not at an increased risk of behaving violently in general, there is a subset of individuals with mental illness who are at risk of violent behavior of the kinds we have seen in public gathering places.

Over the last few years, Congress has passed laws to improve the mental health system so individuals in need of psychiatric evaluation, treatment, and support do not fall through the cracks. Several components of these laws have yet to be fully implemented.

In a bipartisan effort to ensure that mental and behavioral health services are covered by insurance in a manner equivalent to medical and surgical services. Congress passed the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act in 2008 This law prohibits insurance companies from arbitrarily limiting the number of hospital days or outpatient treatment sessions a patient is granted, as well as prohibiting higher copayments or deductibles for subscribers who seek psychological services. Such practices by insurance companies were both wrong and counterproductive. This legislation will help the 54 million Americans with mental illness gain access to appropriate and affordable treatment. My Senate colleagues and I have been working with the Department of Health and Human Services HHS to ensure this law is fully implemented. Additionally, I and several of my colleagues sent a letter to President Obama asking him and HHS to fully implement the law.

The Affordable Care Act ACA is also working to improve access to mental and behavioral health services. Individuals in Ohio who have been denied insurance coverage due to a pre-existing mental health condition can now access the new Ohio High-Risk Insurance pool. For more information on the high risk pool or to sign-up for coverage, please visit http://www.insurance.ohio.gov/Documents/07-22-10HighRiskPoolFAQs.pdf

The ACA immediately eliminated pre-existing coverage exclusions for children. Kids will no longer be denied coverage - or have services excluded from coverage - as a result of pre-existing conditions. Additionally, parents of young adults can now maintain coverage for their children until age 26. Serious mental illness is often first noticed in the late teens or early twenties, when the brain is changing rapidly and when pressures to perform are great. It is crucial that young adults with existing or emerging mental illnesses not experience lapses in coverage at this time of high risk.

Beginning in 2014, insurance companies can no longer deny coverage to individuals with mental illness and insurers cannot use mental illness as a reason to raise premiums. HHS also established an essential benefits package - a set of health care service categories that must be covered by most plans - that will take effect in 2014. Mental health and substance abuse disorder services will be part of this package.

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act and the ACA represent tremendous strides forward for mental health coverage and access. However, we must also re-examine our mental health safety net, which has faced unrelenting budget cuts, reducing access for some our most vulnerable citizens.

Finally, we must work to reduce the stigma attached to mental health treatment, and find ways to support families who are concerned about the mental health status of their loved ones. It is essential that families know about the mental health resources available to them, and that they understand they have allies and other resources to which they can turn. Education about signs of mental illness, how to obtain a mental health screening, and how to access treatment services are simple but key ingredients to a successful national plan for managing mental health crises. Should any legislation concerning gun control and access to mental and behavioral health care come before the Senate, I will keep your thoughts in mind.

Thank you also for sharing your thoughts on background checks for firearms owners.

I continue to receive numerous constituent letters voicing opinions on this issue. Gun shows have become a way for criminals and gun traffickers to purchase weapons without a background check and without a record of purchase. Gun sellers at these shows are not always registered the same way as owners of gun shops. This enables people to sell guns to criminals or the mentally unstable without any record being created for law enforcement. The International Association of Chiefs of Police supports improving and expanding the background check process to ensure that registration and background check is conducted for every gun sale.

Gun control is a complex issue and we must work together to uphold our Constitution while at the same time ensuring that our communities are safe. We can and must act to ensure tragedies like this never happen again.

Should any legislation come before the Senate for a vote, I will keep your views in mind. Thank you again for getting in touch with me.

Sincerely,

Sherrod Brown
United States Senator [LESS]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts about assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and the calls to regulate or ban these items.

From 1994 to 2004, Congress enacted a ban on semi-automatic assault weapons. The bill had three main components. The first section was comprised of a list guns that were banned by name, such as Uzi's. The second section outlawed the future manufacture and sale... [MORE]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts about assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and the calls to regulate or ban these items.

From 1994 to 2004, Congress enacted a ban on semi-automatic assault weapons. The bill had three main components. The first section was comprised of a list guns that were banned by name, such as Uzi's. The second section outlawed the future manufacture and sale of any new semiautomatic weapon with a detachable magazine and more than two of several assault-style features. The third section was an appendix which listed hunting rifles and shotguns that didn't run afoul of the second section, and thus were exempted from the bill.

In 2011, law enforcement leaders such as Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Back, Oklahoma Police Chief Bill Citty, and Brockton, Massachusetts, Police Captain Emanuel Gomes, all separately discussed how their officers were being outgunned with assault weapons possessed by criminals.

While I have supported restrictions on the possession of semi-automatic assault weapons, and restrictions on the ability of criminals to possess handguns, I do not support an outright ban on guns or arbitrary restrictions on the right of law-abiding citizens to possess guns.

When our children and families are no longer safe at our schools, in our malls, and in our movie theaters, then we as a country must take action. The shocking numbers of public shootings throughout the country last year, culminating in Newtown, Connecticut, demand that we engage in a serious national discussion about gun violence, not just in terms of weapons and bullets, but also including mental health access, public safety officers, and our responsibility both as individuals and a society.

This is a complex issue and we must work together to uphold our Constitution while at the same time ensuring that our communities are safe. We can and must act to make such tragedies less likely in the future. Should any legislation concerning a reintroduction of the Assault Weapons Ban come before the Senate, I will keep your thoughts in mind. Thank you again for contacting me.

Sincerely,

Sherrod Brown
United States Senator [LESS]

Thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding Second Amendment rights and public safety. I appreciate you taking the time to inform me of your thoughts on this issue. My thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those that were tragically killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

This horrific tragedy as well as that which occurred in Aurora has reignited the debate... [MORE]

Thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding Second Amendment rights and public safety. I appreciate you taking the time to inform me of your thoughts on this issue. My thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those that were tragically killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

This horrific tragedy as well as that which occurred in Aurora has reignited the debate regarding public safety and how best to prevent atrocities such as this from occurring again. While keeping our children safe must remain a top priority for lawmakers of all political stripes, we must be prudent in implementing a comprehensive plan for school safety moving forward. I am a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights and I am committed to protecting the right of the American people to bear arms in future legislative efforts. During my first term in Congress I received an "A" rating from the National Rifle Association and played a key role in shepherding through Congress legislation to safeguard Sportmen's rights and expand access to public lands and recreational opportunities for hunters. I believe that steps can be taken to improve public safety without infringing on Constitutional rights. I support a comprehensive approach to solving this problem, however, I will not support impulsive, rash legislation that fails to appropriately analyze and address the real issues we face.

As we examine the factors that led to these mass shootings, it will be critical to emphasize the role that parents and community leaders can play in prevention efforts. It is also important to increase our efforts to reform policy with respect to mental illness to ensure that those who are mentally ill are never in a position to commit violent atrocities on our children and others. It is also critical that firearm sales are monitored to ensure proper examination of the purchaser's background prior to purchase. I look forward to working with my colleagues towards comprehensive policy to help make our schools safe havens for children and to prevent tragedies like those at Sandy Hook and Aurora in the future. Should legislation concerning this matter come to the House floor I will be sure to keep your views in mind.

As always, I welcome the opportunity to communicate with you regarding issues impacting Colorado. For your convenience, you may sign up to receive regular email updates from me on matters important to the 3rd Congressional District at http://tipton.house.gov. Please do not hesitate to contact my office if I can ever be of any assistance.

Sincerely,

Scott Tipton
Member of Congress [LESS]

Thank you for contacting me regarding gun violence prevention legislation. I am honored to hear from you, and proud to represent you. Since coming to Congress, I have been working very hard to advance my policy agenda based on four key priorities-peace, prosperity for working families, environmental sustainability, and support for human and civil rights.


On December 14, 2012, Americans... [MORE]

Thank you for contacting me regarding gun violence prevention legislation. I am honored to hear from you, and proud to represent you. Since coming to Congress, I have been working very hard to advance my policy agenda based on four key priorities-peace, prosperity for working families, environmental sustainability, and support for human and civil rights.


On December 14, 2012, Americans around the country were shocked and heartbroken with the news that 27 people were killed in a mass shooting in Newton, CT, including 20 innocent children at Sandy Hook Elementary School. As a father, I cannot imagine the pain and grief that comes from losing a child in such a senseless tragedy.


As we mourn these lives lost, and our hearts are with the families of the victims, we also must turn to finding a solution for ending these terrible acts of violence. The tragic shooting in Newton, CT joins a dozen other mass shootings this past year, including the September 27th shooting at Accent Signage in Minneapolis, where six people were senselessly killed in one of the worse mass shootings in Minnesota history.


It is time that we come together as a nation to address this systemic violence. Recently the Congressional Progressive Caucus, which I co-chair, passed a resolution on preventing gun violence. Our goals include banning the sale of military-style assault weapons and high capacity magazines, requiring all gun buyers to pass a criminal background check, and supporting funding for mental health and substance abuse treatment. On February 4, 2013 I discussed these goals with President Obama, local leaders, and Minnesotan law enforcement officials at a Gun Safety Roundtable in Minneapolis.


In this Congress I am a cosponsor of several bills to help reduce the occurrence of gun violence in this country. The Fix Gun Checks Act of 2013 HR 137, would require gun buyers to undergo a simple background check for each firearm they wish to purchase, and the Fire Sale Loophole Closing Act HR 93 would prevent individuals whose federal firearms license has been revoked from transferring firearms inventory to a personal collection. I also am a cosponsor of the Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device Act HR 138, which would prohibit the transfer, possession, or importation of a large capacity ammunition feeding device after the date of the law's enactment, and I am an original cosponsor of HR 431, which would restore certain authorities of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to administer the firearms laws.


Properly regulating the sale, distribution, and use of firearms for the benefit of public safety is of upmost importance to me. As always, please feel free to contact me on any issue of concern. You can sign up for our e-newsletter by visiting www.house.gov/ellison.


Sincerely yours,

Keith Ellison
United States House of Representatives [LESS]

Thank you for contacting me to express your opposition to legislation regulating assault weapons. As a gun owner, concealed carry permit holder, and lifetime member of the NRA, I share your support for the Second Amendment. I am also troubled that there are those who would consider exploiting such a senseless human tragedy as the Sandy Hook shooting for political gain.


As you may know, on... [MORE]

Thank you for contacting me to express your opposition to legislation regulating assault weapons. As a gun owner, concealed carry permit holder, and lifetime member of the NRA, I share your support for the Second Amendment. I am also troubled that there are those who would consider exploiting such a senseless human tragedy as the Sandy Hook shooting for political gain.


As you may know, on January 24, 2013, Senator Dianne Feinstein D-CA introduced S.150, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2013. This legislation would prohibit the sale, manufacture, transfer and importation of 157 of the most commonly-owned assault weapons, in addition to banning an additional group of assault weapons that can accept a detachable ammunition magazine. It would also ban large-capacity magazines and other ammunition feeding devices that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition.


Additionally, S. 150 would require background checks on all future transfers of assault weapons covered by this legislation, prohibit the sale or transfer of high-capacity ammunition feeding devices currently in existence, and impose additional requirements on the storage of grandfathered assault weapons.


While Senator Feinstein claims this legislation "protects the rights of law-abiding citizens," who use guns for legitimate recreational purposes, hunting or protection, I have serious concerns that this legislation infringes on Second Amendment rights. I, along with every other American, agree that what occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School is a human tragedy. I support efforts that will improve the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals who face serious mental health challenges, and I support common sense measures to reduce the overall culture of violence in America. But, I will not support any legislation or executive action that seeks to limit the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens. As a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, please be assured that I share your opposition to S. 150 or similar legislation to ban assault weapons by law-abiding citizens.


Again, thank you for sharing your views with me. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any additional questions or concerns. I also encourage you to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and at www.billjohnson.house.gov, so that you may keep track of my most recent work in Congress. I look forward to hearing from you in the future.


Sincerely,

Bill Johnson
Member of Congress [LESS]

Thank you for taking a proactive role in Idaho's well-being by voicing your thoughts and concerns. I want to take a moment to update you on the current discussion surrounding gun control and the ban of certain weapons and ammunition.


On January 16, 2013 President Obama signed 23 executive orders addressing gun control. I am currently reviewing these proposals to ensure that the president's... [MORE]

Thank you for taking a proactive role in Idaho's well-being by voicing your thoughts and concerns. I want to take a moment to update you on the current discussion surrounding gun control and the ban of certain weapons and ammunition.


On January 16, 2013 President Obama signed 23 executive orders addressing gun control. I am currently reviewing these proposals to ensure that the president's actions and proposals do not violate our constitutionally protected right to bear arms. I will also thoughtfully consider whether the laws we currently have on the books can be better enforced to safeguard our lives and our liberty.


As you know, I wholeheartedly support the Second Amendment and the right to keep and bear arms. Still, I believe our nation and the Second Amendment are strong enough to withstand an examination of ways we can protect the most vulnerable among us without harming those liberties that God has given us to make us free. I look forward to having a thoughtful, honest and straightforward discussion about these issues in the Judiciary Committee over the next few months.


Thank you again for being in touch. The more I listen to Idahoans, the better able I am to represent your needs and interests here in Washington. Please feel free to contact me again by visiting my website www.labrador.house.gov or by following me on Facebook or Twitter.


Sincerely,


Ral Labrador
Member of Congress
1st District, Idaho [LESS]

I am in receipt of your recent e-mail and appreciate you taking the time to contact my office.


I receive over a thousand phone calls, letters and e-mails every day. While I make it a point to read every contact that comes through my office, I cannot always respond to each one but I certainly will do my best.


Please be assured that your e-mail is important to me and that I will do all I... [MORE]

I am in receipt of your recent e-mail and appreciate you taking the time to contact my office.


I receive over a thousand phone calls, letters and e-mails every day. While I make it a point to read every contact that comes through my office, I cannot always respond to each one but I certainly will do my best.


Please be assured that your e-mail is important to me and that I will do all I can to address your concerns.


All the best.

Pete King [LESS]

Thank you for contacting me about gun control, the Second Amendment and the current discourse regarding gun violence. I appreciate the opportunity to respond to your concerns and to provide you with a legislative update.
Like you, I strongly support the Second Amendment to the Constitution and the right of Americans to own firearms to protect themselves and their families. I do not support... [MORE]

Thank you for contacting me about gun control, the Second Amendment and the current discourse regarding gun violence. I appreciate the opportunity to respond to your concerns and to provide you with a legislative update.
Like you, I strongly support the Second Amendment to the Constitution and the right of Americans to own firearms to protect themselves and their families. I do not support legislation that would prevent responsible American citizens from being able to own firearms. Moreover, I believe that gun owners and legislators alike want to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and others who will not use them responsibly. Thus, I believe it's crucial that we also look at the mental health conditions of many gun owners. I believe responsible gun ownership and positive mental health go hand in hand.


Unfortunately, health insurance coverage for mental illness has historically been less generous than the coverage provided for physical illnesses. This is generally reflected by a complete lack of coverage for particular mental health conditions or by use of different structures and terms for mental health benefits relative to those for medical and surgical services.


Prior to enactment of the health care reform bill, which was signed into law with my support, two major mental health parity laws had been passed at the federal level, and together created the federal mental health parity requirements. Neither of these laws mandate the coverage of any specific mental health condition. However,when an insurer chooses to cover both mental health and medical and surgical benefits, they are required to do so in compliance with these parity requirements.


The health care law contains a number of provisions which achieve two key goals with respect to mental health parity: expanding the reach of the applicability of the federal mental health parity requirements, and creating a mandated benefit for the coverage of certain mental health and substance abuse disorder services in a number of specific financing arrangements.


As a member of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus, I am committed to working to inform, educate, and advocate to Members of Congress and the public on a variety of mental health issues. My colleagues and I will continue efforts to improve access to mental health services, reducing negativism and stigma, and working with law enforcement agencies in our district and throughout the county to do what is needed to keep our communities safe from gun violence.


Please be assured that if legislation regarding gun control and/or mental health are brought to the floor of the House, I will be sure to keep your thoughts in mind.


I am leading the fight to help our families by working to create new jobs, improve our public schools so that every child has access to a quality education, protect benefits for our seniors and veterans, and close tax loopholes to ensure corporations pay their fair share. I will continue to fight for these and other issues that affect our community.


Again, thank you for contacting me about this important issue. If I can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me


Sincerely,

Rep. Loretta Sanchez
Member of Congress [LESS]

In response to the tragic events that occurred in Newtown, Conn., Congress and the White House are currently considering ways to reduce gun violence in America. I strongly believe that we must find a way to reduce gun violence without infringing on the rights of honest Americans who abide by the law and own guns. My record on protecting citizens' Second Amendment rights is strong, as I voted in... [MORE]

In response to the tragic events that occurred in Newtown, Conn., Congress and the White House are currently considering ways to reduce gun violence in America. I strongly believe that we must find a way to reduce gun violence without infringing on the rights of honest Americans who abide by the law and own guns. My record on protecting citizens' Second Amendment rights is strong, as I voted in opposition to the 2004 assault weapons ban and in favor of restoring Second Amendment rights in the District of Columbia, among other relevant votes.


As a centrist United States Senator, I do not decide my vote based on party line, or based on what party is in the White House. There are no simple solutions to this extremely complicated issue and I fully recognize that there are legitimate concerns on all sides. Please be assured that I will carefully review any and all related legislative measures with the will of the people of Louisiana in mind.


As your Senator, I rely heavily on the comments and concerns of my constituents when acting out my duties in Congress, and I appreciate your taking the time to contact me. I hope you will continue to contact me regarding matters of mutual concern. Please feel free to visit my website at http://landrieu.senate.gov for additional information on my legislative priorities.


With warm regards, I am


Sincerely,

Mary Landrieu
United States Senator [LESS]

Thank you for contacting my office regarding the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, and its impact on federal gun legislation. I appreciate your taking the time to share your views with me.

As you know, on December 14, 2012, a mentally unstable gunman committed a senseless atrocity by murdering twenty students and six staff members at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton,... [MORE]

Thank you for contacting my office regarding the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, and its impact on federal gun legislation. I appreciate your taking the time to share your views with me.

As you know, on December 14, 2012, a mentally unstable gunman committed a senseless atrocity by murdering twenty students and six staff members at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Connecticut. While many Americans continue to try to rationalize this tragedy it remains clear that the inhumane and depraved actions of this individual gunman appear to be motivated solely by his extremely disturbed mental state.

On January 16, 2013, President Obama and his administration introduced a twenty-three point plan which lays out both executive and legislative proposals that would attempt to prevent future violence. As the details of the President's proposals become more clear, I look forward to reviewing them, and working with my colleagues to find sensible solutions that respect the Second Amendment but also help us prevent these type of horrific events from ever happening again.

While I am an unwavering supporter of the Second Amendment, please know that I will seriously consider all reasonable public safety legislation that comes before the Senate.

Thank you once again for contacting my office. Please do not hesitate to do so on this or any other issue of concern.

Sincerely,
John McCain
United States Senator [LESS]