I sent a form email message to Senator Joe Donnelly, urging him to oppose the current anti-gun movement that demands the ban of "assault rifles" and the closure of "loopholes" in gun acquisition procedures. Today I received this electronic reply. His reply was encouraging in some ways, but concerning in others. Here is the text of his reply. My thoughts follow his reply.
March 20, 2018
Dear [Bapak2ja],
Thank you for taking the time to contact me about Second Amendment rights. Like you, I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, and I have consistently voted to protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners. Like responsible gun owners, however, I believe it is reasonable for all of us to consider ways to reduce gun violence and protect public safety.
I have always recognized that the overwhelming majority of gun owners exercise their Second Amendment rights in a responsible and law-abiding manner. My concern has never been with those who follow the law, but with those who do not. For this reason, I have opposed proposals to ban firearms commonly referred to as assault weapons and continued my longtime support for national recognition of Indiana licenses to carry.
We also must recognize, however, that individuals with criminal records, serious mental illnesses, or who wish to commit acts of terrorism continue to obtain firearms by exploiting loopholes and deficiencies in current law, and in the process, are endangering the lives of others. Whether a gun owner or not, we all can agree that we can take steps to reduce violent crime without sacrificing the rights of law-abiding gun owners.
As your Senator, I will continue to closely follow this issue. Should Congress consider relevant legislation, I will be sure to keep your thoughts in mind.
It is a privilege to represent you and all Hoosiers in the Senate. Your continued correspondence is welcome and helps me to better represent our state. I encourage you to write, call, or email if my office can ever be of assistance. You can also check out my Facebook page, follow me on Twitter, or visit my website. Please note when contacting my Senate office that I am only able to respond to questions or concerns related to official Senate business. As such, this letter addresses the issues you raised, which relate to my work in the United States Senate.
I appreciated the reply. Of course, it is a form message, doubtless written by a low-level staff member; but at least Donnelly has made arrangements for his office to respond to his constituency. I find the following points in his message encouraging.
1. He supports the Second Amendment, and recognizes that most gun owners are reasonable and handle their firearms safely within the confines of the law.
2. He has opposed proposals to ban "assault weapons."
3. He continues to support national recognition of the Indiana LTCH.
4. He welcomes our input.
5. He wants to decrease gun violence and increase public safety.
I am concerned about the following aspects of his message.
1. He does not take note of the fact that gun violence has been decreasing for the last decade (approximately) and that this decrease coincides with the expansion of the recognition of the Second Amendment rights of the citizens to carry firearms for self-defense.
2. While he wants to take steps to reduce the availability of guns to criminals, the mentally ill, and terrorists, he does not recognize or acknowledge that existing laws already are sufficient to prevent these dangerous people from obtaining firearms.
3. He seems to believe there are still "loopholes" in the laws, but does not acknowledge that the major "loophole" has been in the lack of active participation of the military, the FBI, and local law enforcement agencies in enforcing these existing laws.
4. He appears to be open to the idea of new laws to reduce the ability of good citizens to obtain firearms without increased government interference.
Will this reply affect your vote in the next senatorial election? If so, how?
March 20, 2018
Dear [Bapak2ja],
Thank you for taking the time to contact me about Second Amendment rights. Like you, I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, and I have consistently voted to protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners. Like responsible gun owners, however, I believe it is reasonable for all of us to consider ways to reduce gun violence and protect public safety.
I have always recognized that the overwhelming majority of gun owners exercise their Second Amendment rights in a responsible and law-abiding manner. My concern has never been with those who follow the law, but with those who do not. For this reason, I have opposed proposals to ban firearms commonly referred to as assault weapons and continued my longtime support for national recognition of Indiana licenses to carry.
We also must recognize, however, that individuals with criminal records, serious mental illnesses, or who wish to commit acts of terrorism continue to obtain firearms by exploiting loopholes and deficiencies in current law, and in the process, are endangering the lives of others. Whether a gun owner or not, we all can agree that we can take steps to reduce violent crime without sacrificing the rights of law-abiding gun owners.
As your Senator, I will continue to closely follow this issue. Should Congress consider relevant legislation, I will be sure to keep your thoughts in mind.
It is a privilege to represent you and all Hoosiers in the Senate. Your continued correspondence is welcome and helps me to better represent our state. I encourage you to write, call, or email if my office can ever be of assistance. You can also check out my Facebook page, follow me on Twitter, or visit my website. Please note when contacting my Senate office that I am only able to respond to questions or concerns related to official Senate business. As such, this letter addresses the issues you raised, which relate to my work in the United States Senate.
I appreciated the reply. Of course, it is a form message, doubtless written by a low-level staff member; but at least Donnelly has made arrangements for his office to respond to his constituency. I find the following points in his message encouraging.
1. He supports the Second Amendment, and recognizes that most gun owners are reasonable and handle their firearms safely within the confines of the law.
2. He has opposed proposals to ban "assault weapons."
3. He continues to support national recognition of the Indiana LTCH.
4. He welcomes our input.
5. He wants to decrease gun violence and increase public safety.
I am concerned about the following aspects of his message.
1. He does not take note of the fact that gun violence has been decreasing for the last decade (approximately) and that this decrease coincides with the expansion of the recognition of the Second Amendment rights of the citizens to carry firearms for self-defense.
2. While he wants to take steps to reduce the availability of guns to criminals, the mentally ill, and terrorists, he does not recognize or acknowledge that existing laws already are sufficient to prevent these dangerous people from obtaining firearms.
3. He seems to believe there are still "loopholes" in the laws, but does not acknowledge that the major "loophole" has been in the lack of active participation of the military, the FBI, and local law enforcement agencies in enforcing these existing laws.
4. He appears to be open to the idea of new laws to reduce the ability of good citizens to obtain firearms without increased government interference.
Will this reply affect your vote in the next senatorial election? If so, how?