BigDMT
I recently contacted my Montana state officials to voice my opinion on gun control. The messages I have received back are copied and pasted below. One is from Montana Senator Max Baucus (D), Congressman Steve Daines (R), and Senator Jon Tester (D).
This will probably go in the sack with the rest of the gun control threads and I probably won't respond if negative debate is started here. Just wanted to share them with you all. Hope this gives some of you hope for the outcome on Gun Control in Washington DC.
Reply from Senator Max Baucus (D)
January 25, 2013
Mr. Brandon DeBoer
807 Lincoln Ave S Apt 2
Sidney, MT 59270-4952
Dear Brandon:
Thank you for expressing your views with me regarding gun control. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.
Like every other parent in America, my heart is broken by the tragic shooting in Connecticut. Mel and I continue to pray for the victims and their families. This and other recent tragedies have raised serious questions about the culture of violence in our society - questions that deserve careful reflection on everything from access to mental health care to the video games our children play.
Many folks have been contacting me with their concerns about various pieces of legislation that would hamper an individual's right to keep and bear arms. I support the constitutional rights of responsible, law-abiding gun owners, and enforcing the laws on the books to protect people from violence. As I reflect, I am listening carefully to my bosses in Montana, and it is clear that any national discussion on gun control must also take into account the values Montanans expect me to protect.
In the past, I have supported commonsense efforts to curb violence when those efforts have not infringed upon the rights of the American people to keep and bear arms. Some of the proposals that I've supported include putting more police on the streets through the "COPS" program, and increasing funding for after-school programs and youth counseling. We must be careful that efforts to prevent crime do not infringe upon the constitutional rights of sportsmen and women, and other law-abiding gun owners to purchase and use firearms.
Thanks again for getting in touch. I also encourage you to visit my website at http://www.baucus.senate.gov for current information on what I'm doing both here in Washington and at home to help Montana. Please contact me with any additional comments or concerns.
Sincerely,
Max Baucus
Reply from Congressman Steve Daines (R)
Mr. Brandon Deboer
807 Lincoln Ave S Apt 2
Sidney, MT 59270-4952
Dear Mr. Deboer:
Thank you for contacting me to express your support for continuing to protect our nation’s Second Amendment rights following the unspeakable tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut. I value your point of view and appreciate the opportunity to respond.
As a father of four, I am deeply saddened by the tragedy in Connecticut and pray that nothing like this ever happens again. It has become increasingly clear that there is a need to be proactive in increasing access to mental health resources and helping schools strengthen their ability to protect their students. Without a doubt, our nation’s health care system is in need of common-sense reforms that put patients and their relationship with their doctor first, and mental health must be part of that equation.
With that said, I am committed to protecting our Second Amendment rights, and I do not believe Washington should make rash decisions on controversial firearm restriction proposals that many experts believe would be ineffective in preventing violent crimes. While I believe we need to strictly enforce current laws forbidding potentially dangerous persons from possessing a firearm, I will work to ensure that Congress protects the constitutional rights of the thousands of Montanans who safely and lawfully possess or use a firearm.
Again, thanks for contacting me. It is my number one priority in Congress to represent the values and interests of the people of Montana, and your input is very helpful as I do. Please do not hesitate to contact me again in the future regarding this or any other federal issue important to you.
Sincerely,
Steve Daines
Member of Congress
Reply from Senator Jon Tester (D) - Not sure if I trust a word this guy says though. He's kinda one to play both sides of the ball to get his future votes. Notice how "vague" the details of his response is...
Dear Brandon,
Thank you for contacting me about gun violence, gun control proposals, and the recent massacre in Newtown, Connecticut. As a father, a grandfather, and a former teacher, I've mourned the lives lost. Like millions of Americans, I am struggling to understand this senseless attack.
Mass shootings are tragically becoming too common and as a U.S. Senator, it is my responsibility to address the growing issue of violence in America's schools and public places. In the coming weeks, I hope that our country will consider how we can help keep people - especially innocent children - safe while protecting our constitutional rights.
Moving forward, we must find careful, balanced solutions that do both. I have a long history of protecting the Second Amendment, and I will keep that value in mind as we consider these important issues. With input from Montanans, I look forward to rising to this important challenge. Please do not hesitate to contact me again if I can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Jon Tester
United States Senator
This will probably go in the sack with the rest of the gun control threads and I probably won't respond if negative debate is started here. Just wanted to share them with you all. Hope this gives some of you hope for the outcome on Gun Control in Washington DC.
Reply from Senator Max Baucus (D)
January 25, 2013
Mr. Brandon DeBoer
807 Lincoln Ave S Apt 2
Sidney, MT 59270-4952
Dear Brandon:
Thank you for expressing your views with me regarding gun control. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.
Like every other parent in America, my heart is broken by the tragic shooting in Connecticut. Mel and I continue to pray for the victims and their families. This and other recent tragedies have raised serious questions about the culture of violence in our society - questions that deserve careful reflection on everything from access to mental health care to the video games our children play.
Many folks have been contacting me with their concerns about various pieces of legislation that would hamper an individual's right to keep and bear arms. I support the constitutional rights of responsible, law-abiding gun owners, and enforcing the laws on the books to protect people from violence. As I reflect, I am listening carefully to my bosses in Montana, and it is clear that any national discussion on gun control must also take into account the values Montanans expect me to protect.
In the past, I have supported commonsense efforts to curb violence when those efforts have not infringed upon the rights of the American people to keep and bear arms. Some of the proposals that I've supported include putting more police on the streets through the "COPS" program, and increasing funding for after-school programs and youth counseling. We must be careful that efforts to prevent crime do not infringe upon the constitutional rights of sportsmen and women, and other law-abiding gun owners to purchase and use firearms.
Thanks again for getting in touch. I also encourage you to visit my website at http://www.baucus.senate.gov for current information on what I'm doing both here in Washington and at home to help Montana. Please contact me with any additional comments or concerns.
Sincerely,
Max Baucus
Reply from Congressman Steve Daines (R)
Mr. Brandon Deboer
807 Lincoln Ave S Apt 2
Sidney, MT 59270-4952
Dear Mr. Deboer:
Thank you for contacting me to express your support for continuing to protect our nation’s Second Amendment rights following the unspeakable tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut. I value your point of view and appreciate the opportunity to respond.
As a father of four, I am deeply saddened by the tragedy in Connecticut and pray that nothing like this ever happens again. It has become increasingly clear that there is a need to be proactive in increasing access to mental health resources and helping schools strengthen their ability to protect their students. Without a doubt, our nation’s health care system is in need of common-sense reforms that put patients and their relationship with their doctor first, and mental health must be part of that equation.
With that said, I am committed to protecting our Second Amendment rights, and I do not believe Washington should make rash decisions on controversial firearm restriction proposals that many experts believe would be ineffective in preventing violent crimes. While I believe we need to strictly enforce current laws forbidding potentially dangerous persons from possessing a firearm, I will work to ensure that Congress protects the constitutional rights of the thousands of Montanans who safely and lawfully possess or use a firearm.
Again, thanks for contacting me. It is my number one priority in Congress to represent the values and interests of the people of Montana, and your input is very helpful as I do. Please do not hesitate to contact me again in the future regarding this or any other federal issue important to you.
Sincerely,
Steve Daines
Member of Congress
Reply from Senator Jon Tester (D) - Not sure if I trust a word this guy says though. He's kinda one to play both sides of the ball to get his future votes. Notice how "vague" the details of his response is...
Dear Brandon,
Thank you for contacting me about gun violence, gun control proposals, and the recent massacre in Newtown, Connecticut. As a father, a grandfather, and a former teacher, I've mourned the lives lost. Like millions of Americans, I am struggling to understand this senseless attack.
Mass shootings are tragically becoming too common and as a U.S. Senator, it is my responsibility to address the growing issue of violence in America's schools and public places. In the coming weeks, I hope that our country will consider how we can help keep people - especially innocent children - safe while protecting our constitutional rights.
Moving forward, we must find careful, balanced solutions that do both. I have a long history of protecting the Second Amendment, and I will keep that value in mind as we consider these important issues. With input from Montanans, I look forward to rising to this important challenge. Please do not hesitate to contact me again if I can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Jon Tester
United States Senator
