ALERT: Stop S. 150-Feinstein's Gun Ban Bill!

[longstevo]

I write twice a week but when I come across drafts like the ones in the links that is on top of the other two. My wife does the same.

A big thanks to anyone else who sends letters. They really do matter.

Do you send a copy of the same letter, or do you personalize it each time?

[Bean Counter]

I personalize mine, but its better to just get it out the door rather than spend too much time on it and not get it done.

[Whitelightning]

Done

[csaaphill]

cool more showing up 

[huntrights]

Done. Our country has lost its moral compass and seems to enjoy the slide down every slippery slope.

Very well said.  Thank you.

[Bean Counter]

 

[csaaphill]

I think it sends to all the above mentioned adresses at once so If you personalise it it shoul only have to be once since it sends to all.
But don't know for sure just thinking it would only have to be once.

[Greenhorn]

Done!

[huntrights]

I think it sends to all the above mentioned adresses at once so If you personalise it it shoul only have to be once since it sends to all.
But don't know for sure just thinking it would only have to be once.

When you enter your information, the tool finds your rep's for you and will send to them all when you press the submit button.  Some of the new rep's still don't have their emails set up, so you might get an option to print a hard copy to send them.

[pianoman9701]

Here's the canned response from Canned-well:

Dear Mr. W,

Thank you for contacting me to express your views on gun ownership and violence prevention. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.

As you know, on January 16, 2013, President Obama announced a series of legislative proposals and executive actions intended to reduce gun violence. I applaud the President's efforts to close gun purchase loopholes and to create new tools for further background checks.

Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) introduced a bill to regulate assault weapons (S. 150) on January 24, 2013. The proposed legislation bans certain military-style, semi-automatic weapons, and makes it illegal to produce, import, or sell magazines with capacity over ten rounds. The bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, where it is currently awaiting further debate and review.

In the past, I supported the original Assault Weapons Ban and the Brady Bill, as well as the Youth Handgun Safety Act of 1993, which prohibits juveniles from possessing or receiving handguns. I look forward to work with my colleagues in the Senate to strengthen responsible legislation to rein in gun violence. We need to work to close the loopholes in existing laws that allow criminals and children to gain access to firearms contrary to the law's intention. One example is the well-known "gun-show loophole" which allows people to purchase firearms at gun-shows without undergoing the background check required when guns are bought from licensed dealers. Lastly, I believe we must support increased gun-safety and gun-use education.

I support the Second Amendment and the rights of law-abiding Washingtonians who own guns. I also remain focused on addressing the deeply troubling violence in this country and making our state and our country as safe as possible for all people, including our most vulnerable citizens, our children. I believe both of these goals are important and can be simultaneously accomplished through common-sense gun laws and stricter enforcement of existing laws.

Along with addressing gun violence, making services for the mentally ill and their families more accessible will encourage those suffering from mental illness to seek needed care and support. Mental health care is a critical component of our healthcare system and an individual's overall health status. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately one in 17 Americans suffers from a seriously debilitating mental illness. I care deeply about mental health care and understand the important role behavioral health services play in the lives of both those who suffer from mental illness and their family and loved ones.

Thank you again for contacting me to share your thoughts on this matter. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,
Maria Cantwell
United States Senator

[longstevo]

Hey!  That's the same letter I got!

.

.

.

.

 

[CP]

I got that same response from Maria.  Canned response to a canned Email.  Think any of this does any good? 

[pianoman9701]

I got that same response from Maria.  Canned response to a canned Email.  Think any of this does any good? 

If she's keeping track of how many pros and cons, yes. But unfortunately in WA, we have two very liberal senators, neither of whom know jack squat about guns except that Eric Holder thinks we should brainwash our children against them. With Canned-well and Murray, I think there's little difference between a pro-gun canned email or a individually-written email. They don't agree and will never, ever try to. Other states with less liberal senators would benefit more. I definitely think it's better to be on the record than to do nothing.

[longstevo]

A guy I graduated with has broken his way into politics, so I've been pinging him for a lot of information regarding the writing of the representatives process.  This is what he had to say.

Me:
Sorry to keep bothering you on this, but I have a question.
I've been writing my state and congressional representatives, but all I ever get back from them is a blanket email response that does nothing to address the points I made in the letter or my concerns about what legislation they're trying to forward.
How can I make sure that they've actually read and understand what I'm contacting them about?

Him:
That can be a problem. I would make sure to point out in the very beginning that you are a constituent. Hundreds of emails pour in each day and constituent emails get priority.
I would also be sure to point out any expertise that you have in the area. An educated opinion will generally carry more weight than one that is viewed as a rant.
Third, I would ask for a response to your specific concerns.
There is no real guarantee that this will work, but it would increase your odds!

[huntrights]

I got that same response from Maria.  Canned response to a canned Email.  Think any of this does any good? 

Yes, it does a great deal of good.  Keep writing.  Never let up.  We need to wear them down versus the other way around.