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Thank you for contacting me to voice your opposition to new gun control laws in response to the recent shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.


Our hearts break for the child victims of this atrocity, for the teachers who gave their lives protecting their students, and for the families now grieving. These murders are an anguishing reminder that danger is constantly about and our duty is to act... [MORE]

Thank you for contacting me to voice your opposition to new gun control laws in response to the recent shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.


Our hearts break for the child victims of this atrocity, for the teachers who gave their lives protecting their students, and for the families now grieving. These murders are an anguishing reminder that danger is constantly about and our duty is to act wisely to confront it.


Unfortunately, many elected officials have decided to use this devastating tragedy as an opportunity to restrict the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans. I have been and remain a firm supporter of the constitutionally-guaranteed right to keep and bear arms. We also know from history that efforts to restrict the rights of law-abiding Americans have not been shown to reduce crime.


Local, state and federal officials should instead pursue measures that will work, such as improvements to mental health policy and more aggressive efforts to target criminals-rather than peaceable Americans. As a former federal prosecutor, I know that the focus of the government's efforts should be on criminals with guns. Laws that increase penalties for using guns in crimes have worked. I checked federal prosecution records recently and found that under President Obama and Attorney General Holder, prosecutions of criminals who use and carry guns have fallen below the numbers during President Bush's term-the lowest since 2001. So what we have is an administration that reduces pressure on criminals using guns while placing more burdens on law-abiding citizens and their constitutional right to keep and bear arms.


Working together we can protect our liberties, our families, and the most vulnerable among us.


Thank you again for writing. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any additional questions or concerns that you might have.


Very truly yours,
Jeff Sessions
United States Senator [LESS]

Thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding your thoughts on federal gun control measures in light of the recent tragedy in Connecticut.

A terrible and incomprehensible act of violence took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School. We are all deeply impacted by the horror of little children and brave adults being murdered. There are many serious issues that will need to be discussed... [MORE]

Thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding your thoughts on federal gun control measures in light of the recent tragedy in Connecticut.

A terrible and incomprehensible act of violence took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School. We are all deeply impacted by the horror of little children and brave adults being murdered. There are many serious issues that will need to be discussed and considered in the weeks and months to come. But right now, our primary concern should be for the families and the community of Newtown.

At moments like this, America comes together to mourn and support one another. We will do so again in the coming days, and then search for answers on how to prevent such tragedies in the future

As your Senator, I believe it is my primary responsibility to uphold the Constitution and the Second Amendment is no exception. I will continue to strongly support our Second Amendment rights. One of the bills I have chosen to cosponsor regarding the Second Amendment is S. 570 introduced by Senator Jon Tester D-MT on March 14, 2011. This bill would prohibit the Department of Justice from tracking and cataloguing the purchases of multiple rifles and shotguns.

Thank you again for taking the time to share your thoughts. It is important for me to hear the views and concerns of the people I serve. Please feel free to contact me in the future if I can further assist you or your family. It is an honor representing you and the good people of Wisconsin in the U.S. Senate.

Sincerely,

Ron Johnson
United States Senator [LESS]

Thank you for contacting me to express your thoughts on the recent debate about guns. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue and apologize for any delay in my reply.

As you may know, I am a strong supporter of our Second Amendment rights, and I feel strongly that we have a responsibility to protect the rights of lawful Americans to own guns for protection, recreation and sport.... [MORE]

Thank you for contacting me to express your thoughts on the recent debate about guns. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue and apologize for any delay in my reply.

As you may know, I am a strong supporter of our Second Amendment rights, and I feel strongly that we have a responsibility to protect the rights of lawful Americans to own guns for protection, recreation and sport. I am skeptical that an outright ban on particular weaponry would have any meaningful impact on violent crime. I fear that some of the policies being proposed by a number of my colleagues in Congress would make it more difficult for Colorado families to defend themselves when in harm's way, and could also interfere with the recreational use of certain weapons by law-abiding Coloradans. While I support parts of the President's plan to reduce gun violence, I am also skeptical of the price tag associated with it. The $500 million that it would take to implement this plan could be better spent reducing the deficit and investing in critical education improvements and mental health services.


I believe that the best way to reduce violent crime is to ensure that kids have access to opportunities and jobs and do not turn to crime or join gangs out of desperation. One of my top priorities in Congress has been reforming our education system. I am a strong supporter of the Race to the Top program, with the goal of rewarding states that implement beneficial education reforms including parental choice, better professional development and teacher training, turning around failing schools, closing the achievement gap, charter schools, and better data systems to identify best practices. To support these efforts, I recently introduced H.R. 426, the Race to the Top Act, which would expand the program to school districts and reauthorize the program for five years, giving states the support they need to implement comprehensive reforms and compete for federal funding. This legislation prioritizes rural and high-poverty districts and supports increased teacher and principal effectiveness to ensure that all students have equal opportunity to succeed. The Race to the Top program has already unleashed a wave of creative education reforms all around the nation. By better educating our children and understanding their environments at school, we can provide a place of learning that is safe and addresses the needs of our most vulnerable.

In addition to supporting education reforms, Congress must work to increase and improve mental health resources. While the vast majority of those who suffer from mental illness are as non-violent as those who don't, many recent gun tragedies that our nation has suffered have been perpetrated by individuals who may have suffered from mental illness. It is past due for Congress to address the lack of treatment and assistance we offer our mentally disabled citizens. By supporting efforts to install more highly trained counselors in our schools and to provide the resources that parents, families, teachers and employers need, we can help those who suffer from mental illness while reducing the kinds of mass shootings to which our nation has sadly grown accustomed. I am hopeful that Congress will respond to these tragic shootings in a way that makes our nation safer while continuing to uphold the liberties guaranteed by the Constitution.

Thank you again for contacting me on this important issue. I hope my letter addresses your particular concerns. If I can be of any further assistance on this, or any other issue, please do not hesitate to contact me at 303 484-9596. I also encourage you to visit my website and sign up to receive my e-newsletter at http://www.polis.house.gov.


Sincerely,

Jared Polis
Member of Congress [LESS]

Thank you for contacting me regarding your thoughts on gun control proposals. I appreciate you taking the time to inform me of your opinion on this important issue.

Recently, there has been much debate in Washington about gun control legislation. Much of this debate focuses solely on creating new gun laws, but new legislation is not the solution. If we are serious about reducing gun violence... [MORE]

Thank you for contacting me regarding your thoughts on gun control proposals. I appreciate you taking the time to inform me of your opinion on this important issue.

Recently, there has been much debate in Washington about gun control legislation. Much of this debate focuses solely on creating new gun laws, but new legislation is not the solution. If we are serious about reducing gun violence in America we need to enforce gun laws already in place.

I am a strong supporter of the Constitution and believe in an individual's right to bear arms-as laid out in the Second Amendment. Congress should take a step-by-step bipartisan approach to preventing gun violence in our communities. Any action taken by Congress must strike a balance to protect the rights of responsible Americans, while making sure we keep guns out of the hands of those who intend to harm others.

Please know that there is no greater honor than serving the people of Northern Indiana. As Congress and the public continue to debate over gun control policies, rest assured that I will keep your thoughts in mind.

Sincerely,
Jackie Walorski
Member of Congress [LESS]

Thank you for contacting me regarding 2nd Amendment rights and the Administration's proposed gun control measures. I appreciate hearing from you about this important issue.


On December 14, 2012, our nation experienced an unspeakable tragedy in Newtown. My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of this terrible event, as well as to their families and loved ones. Now is the time to pause... [MORE]

Thank you for contacting me regarding 2nd Amendment rights and the Administration's proposed gun control measures. I appreciate hearing from you about this important issue.


On December 14, 2012, our nation experienced an unspeakable tragedy in Newtown. My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of this terrible event, as well as to their families and loved ones. Now is the time to pause and reflect as to how we can prevent such events in the future in a manner consistent with our rights and values.


On January 16, 2013, the Administration announced a comprehensive gun control proposal, including a two-pronged legislative initiative and 23 separate Executive Actions. The proposed legislative initiatives focus on a universal background check system and a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.


The 2nd Amendment right of American citizens to keep and bear arms has been clearly upheld by the Supreme Court as an explicitly individual right. While I can support measures to keep guns out of the hands of criminals, I will not support any legislation that infringes on the ability of law-abiding citizens to exercise their Constitutionally-guaranteed right to legal gun ownership. Hasty action by Congress will not prevent gun violence. If we hope to stop another tragedy like Sandy Hook, then it must be through deliberative action that makes it harder for criminals to acquire firearms, and easier for those who need mental health care to access it.


The vast majority of gun owners are neither criminals nor mentally unsound, and limiting their ability to buy or possess firearms will do little to solve our real problems. In the coming weeks, I look forward to discussing legislative options with my colleagues as we consider the current and future role of our federal government in preventing these atrocious tragedies. Be assured, I will do everything in my power to uphold and defend the Second Amendment and the rights it entails.


I value your input and will keep your thoughts in mind as Congress debates these issues. Again, thank you for contacting me. It is an honor to represent you in the U.S. House of Representatives.


In Service,
Todd Young
Member of Congress [LESS]

Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns regarding the tragic shootings at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut and the renewed call for additional gun control. My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the victims of this horrific event, and I appreciate your input on this important issue.

First and foremost, no words or actions can alleviate... [MORE]

Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns regarding the tragic shootings at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut and the renewed call for additional gun control. My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the victims of this horrific event, and I appreciate your input on this important issue.

First and foremost, no words or actions can alleviate the loss of innocent lives. This tragedy has greatly afflicted our nation. As a father of four, one of which is a public school teacher, I understand the apprehension that many Americans felt when they first heard of this horrific event. We must stop and pray for all those impacted by this tragedy and for a full recovery for those left injured.

Americans of all political stripes can agree that weapons should never be accessible to those who are mentally ill. Americans have a constitutional right to keep and bear arms; however, with that right comes an obligation to make sure those weapons are securely stored and not available to anyone without the owner's express permission and supervision. We do not need to pass a law to start this reform; we simply need every gun owner, gun store, and shooting organization to take action today to better secure our firearms.

In response to this tragic event, some have called for additional gun control measures, like President Obama's proposed 23 executive actions; or Senator Diane Feinstein's bill that would stop the sale, transfer, importation and manufacturing of assault weapons as well as large ammunition magazines, strips and drums that hold more than 10 rounds. I oppose President Obama's executive actions, Senator Feinstein's bill, and similar legislation, and believe federal controls often create burdens for law-abiding citizens and infringe upon constitutional rights provided by the Second Amendment. In my view, protecting the rights of citizens and providing for their security against foreign enemies and domestic criminals is the most important duty of government. The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution recognizes the right to possess and carry weapons. Law abiding citizens have a fundamental right to protect themselves and their families.

I am hopeful that this tragedy will highlight our country's need for greater awareness of mental illness. The causes of violence in our country are deeper and more complex than just firearms. We must continue to address the gaps in our mental health system and drugs and violence in our culture.

Please rest assured that I will keep your thoughts in mind as Congress begins the 113th session and legislation is introduced to address these issues. Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me. I appreciate having the opportunity to represent you in the U.S. House of Representatives. Please feel free to visit my website www.house.gov/carter or contact me with any future concerns.

Sincerely,
John Carter
Member of Congress [LESS]

Thank you for contacting me about gun control legislation.


Like millions of people across the country, I was heartbroken by the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School last December. I do not know how to explain the deaths of twenty innocent children or why six heroic teachers had to make the ultimate sacrifice for their students.


I also grew up in family that used guns. My older brothers... [MORE]

Thank you for contacting me about gun control legislation.


Like millions of people across the country, I was heartbroken by the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School last December. I do not know how to explain the deaths of twenty innocent children or why six heroic teachers had to make the ultimate sacrifice for their students.


I also grew up in family that used guns. My older brothers hunted, and I learned to shoot when I was in grade school. I have great respect for the role that hunting and guns play in many communities across the country and believe there is a place for responsible gun ownership in our society. But I also don't think anyone needs military-grade assault weapons to hunt or Rambo-style high capacity magazines to protect their family from intruders.


That's why I support a comprehensive set of reforms to reduce gun violence. I strongly support reauthorizing the expired ban on federal assault weapons and high capacity magazines. I also support closing the loopholes in federal background checks for gun shows and private sales. The President has put forward a slate of proposals to help address gun violence and gun safety, and I support those efforts as well.


There is no one way to stop gun violence, and there is certainly room for disagreement on the steps that we should take. But I hope that we can agree that we have a responsibility to ourselves and to our children to take the steps we can to stop the violence. I believe that a reauthorized assault weapons ban and the President's proposals represent a responsible path forward. I will keep your thoughts in mind as I continue to look for other steps we can take to protect our children and families from these terrible tragedies. I believe that is my responsibility as a United States Senator -- and as a mother and grandmother.


Sincerely,


Elizabeth Warren
United States Senator [LESS]

Thank you for contacting me to express your views on gun control. I appreciate you taking the time to write.

I am horrified by gun violence in our country. The shooting that occurred on December 14th in Newtown, Connecticut - the murder of 20 sweet, innocent children and the six adults who died protecting them - is an unthinkable, terrible tragedy. I join with all Americans during this... [MORE]

Thank you for contacting me to express your views on gun control. I appreciate you taking the time to write.

I am horrified by gun violence in our country. The shooting that occurred on December 14th in Newtown, Connecticut - the murder of 20 sweet, innocent children and the six adults who died protecting them - is an unthinkable, terrible tragedy. I join with all Americans during this tragic time in extending my deepest condolences to these victims' families, who are facing an incredible amount of grief and heartache.

Now more than ever, we need to work together to make sure another tragedy like this never happens again. I support the Second Amendment rights of gun owners. I also believe that we can take steps to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and those with mental illnesses without infringing on the right of law-abiding citizens to buy firearms.

That is why I believe that we must take a substantive look at various proposals to strengthen background checks and get assault weapons off our streets. This includes reinstating the Assault Weapons Ban and limiting the use of high capacity ammunition. I have also continually supported extending required background checks at gun shows to help keep guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals. Your views will be helpful to me as we further consider this issue.

While we need to look at gun control, I believe we must also look at the mental health issues that plague our nation. We need to make sure that people have access to the services they need. As a senior member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions HELP Committee, I fought for over ten years to get mental health parity passed so that all Americans suffering from mental illness could have access to the treatments they need. We also need to find better ways to treat, or even cure, mental illnesses. That's why I am such a strong supporter of the National Institutes of Health NIH and the National Institute of Mental Health NIMH. I will continue to fight to improve and expand mental health services.

Again, thanks for getting in touch with me about this issue. Please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything I can assist you with in the future.

Sincerely,
Barbara A. Mikulski
United States Senator [LESS]

Thank you for contacting me regarding the issue of gun control. This is a crucial issue and I appreciate the time you took to express your thoughts.

Recent and saddening acts of violence, such as those in Newtown and Aurora, have brought guns to national attention. These acts of violence, as terrible as they are, should not be used as justification to revoke rights outlined in the United... [MORE]

Thank you for contacting me regarding the issue of gun control. This is a crucial issue and I appreciate the time you took to express your thoughts.

Recent and saddening acts of violence, such as those in Newtown and Aurora, have brought guns to national attention. These acts of violence, as terrible as they are, should not be used as justification to revoke rights outlined in the United States Constitution.

I too share your concerns about gun violence, I strongly believe that our focus should be on strengthening our country's mental health care system to keep weapons out of the hands of the mentally ill while providing them with the care they need. I believe we can accomplish such measures while protecting the rights outlined in the 2nd amendment.

In reviewing all current legislation initiatives, including that proposed by President Obama, I do not believe any will be effective in reducing gun violence. I accordingly oppose all current legislation aimed to curb gun violence.

To stay informed on this issue and others, feel free to sign up for my monthly e-letter by visiting stewart.house.gov. Again, thank you for contacting my office. If you have any other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Chris Stewart
Member of Congress [LESS]

Thank you for expressing your views about firearms legislation.

As a United States Senator, I took an oath to defend the Constitution. The Second Amendment makes clear that Americans have the right to own guns, and the Supreme Court over time has given meaning to this right.

When our children and families are no longer safe at our schools, in our malls, and in our movie theaters, then... [MORE]

Thank you for expressing your views about firearms legislation.

As a United States Senator, I took an oath to defend the Constitution. The Second Amendment makes clear that Americans have the right to own guns, and the Supreme Court over time has given meaning to this right.

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, demands 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.

Like all rights, it must be balanced against others. I have supported restrictions on the possession of assault-style weapons so our public safety officers are not put at increased risk, and restrictions on the ability of criminals to possess handguns but I fully support the right of Ohioans to own firearms. Should the Senate consider this issue in the future, I will support common-sense reforms that protect both public safety and the rights of gun owners.

Thank you also for sharing your thoughts regarding executive orders issued by President Obama.

After repeated efforts by Majority Leader Reid to pass important legislation such as the America Jobs Act - both as a single bill and as components of the larger bill - were blocked by the Senate Minority, President Obama announced that he would issue executive orders. These executive orders are aimed at putting Americans back to work and addressing other pressing issues - such as the drug shortage crisis.

Some Ohioans have expressed concern that President Obama is overstepping his constitutional powers. Under Article II of the U.S. Constitution, the President has the authority to issue executive orders that have the full force and effect of law. Executive orders are generally directed to, and govern actions by, government officials and agencies and do not affect the rights of private citizens. Any executive order can be overturned by a subsequent President or by the U.S. Congress through legislation.

While President Obama's actions are constitutional, I understand your concern that he is bypassing Congress. It is my hope that both sides can come together to allow up or down votes on the American Jobs Act and other pending bills so that executive orders are not necessary.

Thank you again for getting in touch with me.

Sincerely,

Sherrod Brown
United States Senator [LESS]