Hello,

 

I am one of your constituents and am writing to you directly to voice my opposition to the upcoming assault weapons ban legislations proposed by Senator Dianne Feinstein of California and Frank Lautenberg from our home state of NJ.

 

The summary of these legislations indicate sweeping and expensive reform that will provide little to no benefit to the country, and at great cost. Protection of home and hearth, hunting, and the shooting sports (which consist of some of America’s greatest pastimes), are all at risk of severe impact from this legislation. Additionally, the law will be specifically disregarded by criminal elements of our great society, while abiding Americans will be forced to pay significant fees to keep firearms that they already own and may depend upon, and make significant changes to their usage of these weapons (such as magazine limits, thumbhole stocks, etc).

 

I understand that in your position you feel a duty to respond to recent tragedies that have struck and captured the attention of our nation. Please recognize that additional gun control legislation will not stop deranged killers, instead of demand that the government enforce the laws which are already in place and address mental health issues and database records of mentally incapable individuals in this country.

 

Further limiting Americans' constitutional liberties as a means of placating the ongoing emotional social inertia being generated by the few would result in the cumulative damage of far more lives by criminal elements unaffected and further empowered by such laws. Restrictions or bans on magazines, carry licensing, online sales of ammunition, semi-automatic sporting or self defense firearms will have absolutely no impact in stopping a committed person from carrying out a plan, as has been proven many times over in countries with a total weapons ban.

 

An overwhelming number of gun owners and licensed carriers are honest, law-abiding citizens, and are voters who exercise discretion, reason, compassion, and an aversion to force unless necessary to defend life. These are the people that will be adversely affected and who will be limited in the defense their lives, their families, and those of the equally law abiding. Even those who fight against the 2nd Amendment still deserve to have their rights preserved and protected should they feel otherwise in the future.

 

The most important focal point is the protection of life. The emotional sentiment of the willingly irrational would restrict the protection of life, if not criminalize it. I strongly implore you to act against all proposed bills that would further limit our 2nd Amendment rights.Please stand by all of us who believe life is worth defending by opposing any action against the 2nd Amendment. The majority of America is behind you.

 

Most Sincerely,

new version posted

Never even saw it!

Well..... Depending on what you were trying to say.. Looks great, very clean. you might want to check spelling

I posted an updated version. Try to review if you have the time.

Gerry, articulately conveys your personal passion and support of pro-2A. My only comment would be to provide citation to some of the exertions you make, bascially to change the tone from a personal exertion/opinion to one of concrete fact. For instance, where you call out little to no benefit at great cost, reference the DOJ and FBI findings regarding the 94 AWB. However, you probably recall what I do for a living so tangible facts are important to me, and I personally think the only way to fight the anit sentiments is to not play the emotional game they are. I personally would also remove the very last sentence. Of course, just my suggestions. Good luck!

It's likely nobody is going to read that if sent by mail.  They will get the wind direction and put a tickmark in the pro-2A column, which is good.  And there is a small chance a little of it might rub off on somebody.  That chance would be larger (but still extremely small) if the letter was shorter.

 

Take it to your rep's local offices and say you want an appointment to meet your rep.  Write them a note by hand on paper on the spot.  Get the names of their staffers.  Call until they tell you when the rep will be at the local office.  Or in Trenton if you have to travel to see them.  Then give them that after speaking with them and getting them to commit to a response.  Also, have two points ready for your side and two rebuttals ready for the other side.  After you get a few minutes with your rep leave backup that you brought with you on those four items.  If you rep has questions or arguments that you don't know the answer to or can't prove on the spot then don;t try, make them commit to review information you will send them, before midnight.  Take notes, go home, and follow-up by email or fax to resolve unanswered questions and call the next day requiring feedback.