Have you reached out to your elected officials yet?

[Kimber Custom]

Here's the e-mail I sent to my senator and representatives

To my elected officials,

First, thank you for your service. I realize that getting involved in the political process is not for the weak of heart.

Right now there is a huge outcry to do 'something'; I urge you not to overreact. Government has never brought a solution to a problem without compounding the problem. 30 innocents died publicly recently, and countless others less publicly, for reasons we cannot fully fathom. As law abiding, good people we just can't grasp how this could have happened. I heard it well put on the radio the other day that there are three places you can jump to in situations like this: guns, psychology or the culture of violence.

As I have argued vigilantly on FaceBook; guns are not the problem. Legislation, for that matter is not the problem. There are 10,000 local state and federal firearms laws. None of them would have changed events this week. None of them are more sever than first degree murder. A brick can be used to destroy a window or build an orphanage. Money can be used to feed the hungry or buy a corrupt politician. A gun can be used with tragic results or can be used to defend the innocent. Each of these objects are amoral. Don't confuse the tool as the cause of the pain.

Psychology or mental health in this country; while I believe this is the root of this weeks issues specifically, it's not an easy solution. First it requires us to be honest with ourselves. In our effort to be all encompassing we have thrown out right and wrong. There are no consequences to our actions and we embrace 'different' to a degree that we aren't even looking for the obvious monsters around us. Once again, government is not the solution. Perhaps a budget and more financial resources but I don't want to stray from my point.

Culture of violence; prime time TV, Call of Duty, movies, music all influence our thinking. We must guard what we allow in our eyes and ears because that's what goes to our heart. As strongly as I believe this I also believe in liberty. Clearly there is some societal consequences for our choices but those are the choices we have made. We have rating systems and warnings in place. There is nothing more to do here.

Anything done quickly in the name of doing 'something' will only further strip our citizens from the rights, liberties and founding principals that is the basis of our country. We are a strong people. We come to each others aid in times of need and tragedy. Please don't overreact with long term unintended consequences.

Thank you for your consideration

Active voter

[Audrey]

Not to downplay your opinion in any way, but that second sentence is something I would leave out. It's not relevant and it immediately insults your audience; you come across as somewhat hostile.


I agree with you that communicating your views as a citizen to your elected officials is important. Unfortunately, I don't see a future where gun control is not increased. I believe a lack of public understanding of existing gun control laws is a significant part of the problem.

[Kimber Custom]

I see your point and I am somewhat hostile to government.

My point is our lawmakers need to hear from us. Good or bad our voice needs to be heard. I agree that some new legislation will come out of this event but accepting that as a forgone conclusion without voicing my opinion to those who have been elected to represent me is the apathy Appleseed hopes to change.

[Transform]

Good thread Kimber Custom! Thanks for sharing and for stepping up to make your voice heard!
Using the soap box, mail box and ballot box is certainly preferable to the possible alternatives.

The thread at http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=33292.0 has some other letters that Appleseeders elsewhere have written, as well as some tips on writing more effective letters to your elected officials.

Any other NW Region folks have letters to share?

[techres]

In addition to writing yourself, work on getting others writing those letters too (just like the OP has). 

On Indiana's largest gun forum, I challenged everyone to write hand letters in trade for "reputation points" (silly internet forum goofery that people like).  I enlisted a mod to add rep too and some more letters are on their way:

Rep for Letters to Your Reps (INGO)

It has generated some activity and I hope to expand it to other places as well.

Anything little thing you can do to get others to spend a few minutes doing action instead of reading threads and gnashing their teeth.

[Spartan24]

I emailed my senators and congressman. This is what I wrote:
Thank you for taking the time to listen to the voice of a concerned citizen and constituent in your district.
So many people want to place the blame of the horrible tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary at the foot of firearms. A firearm is an inanimate, amoral item. It is neither good nor bad. Like a brick. I can throw it through a window or I could build a hospital with it. It is the same with money. I can spend it on frivolous things or invest it in my child's college fund. The item itself isn't bad. It depends on what a person does with it that makes the difference. Although tragedies such as the one at Sandy Hook Elementary happen, the firearm itself did not do it. A mentally ill man did. He chose to use a firearm for evil, but others have chosen them to put food on the table, protect themselves, or preserve liberty. Keep in mind, it does not matter what it is, but what we do with it. Our founding fathers had great foresight to help preserve our natural rights with the Bill of Rights. We have the responsibility to preserve these rights, for us and our future generations. If we were to repeal or give up our Second Amendment rights, what stops anybody from giving up or taking the rest? Never trade liberty for security. You will end up with neither. I am asking you to help preserve our liberty. Please do not allow a knee jerk reaction with bad legislation that restricts our freedoms. Many people are talking of another assault weapons ban. If it is anything like the last one that thankfully expired, it will do nothing to curtail mass shootings like the ones that have happened as of recent. I believe that mental health issues are what the root of the recent tragedies is. Let's focus on the real issue, and not the symptom. Constricting the liberties of law abiding citizens such as myself, do nothing to stop criminals. I implore you to help protect us from this assault on our liberties by others who do not or will not see the real issue. Thank you for your time.

Stephen A. Symes

[Mark Davis]

I called, identified myself and home town then said "we need to forget this idea of gun free zones, then encourage teachers who want to carry firearms. Thank you, good by."

[The Col]

Kimber,

You did a great job on that letter. One other thing for all of us to point out is that we often hear the cry to protect the children but no concrete, rational actions are taken. If we truly wanted to protect the vulnerable in the schools or other public places we would encourage that be done now. If not it's all political wrangling that has the agenda to take our rights from us and put them in the hands of the government.

Today, in Prineville, OR our community is dealing with rumors of threats to shoot up our schools. We are fortunate in that we have School Resource Officers that do patrol the schools. It's not full time but it's also not on a rigid schedule.

There are many ways to address this but it must start with practical actions. Kimbers' points about mental health and the influence of all types of media are right on the mark. and we would do well to get officials on board there. Go talk to your police department. If they are like ours they are willing partners in that effort.

[Contra]

NAGR has a good petition that gets sent to your Senator.  http://www.nagr.org/obama_gun_control.aspx?pid=1c

Mine is Corrine Brown, so her staff will "accidentally" delete it.

[Snoplop]

 Thought I should post this to give those who haven't written a few ideas- not that I have a clue how to get through to these people but I hope one golden BB of a letter is generated by someone that tweaks a vote in our favor. If this helps spawn that epiphany I will be most thankful.

My initial thoughts were the letter should be short and pointed - yet not accusing to seem positive with a slight redirection rather than a 'please grenade Feinstein for me' if you see her type email.

Was hard not to go on a rant about 2nd amendment and rights being stripped by the pompous elite... now ponder if I would have been better served slamming a thick book on her desk and asking what part of "The Right to keep and Bear Arms Shall not be Infringed" does she not understand! A bit crass but plays well in hindsight.

Sent to Rick Larsen, Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray

  Please vote against Senator Feinstein's anti-gun legislation-

Those prone to knee jerk reactions spoke as though were it not for assault-style weapons, criminal acts that took place at Sandy Hook Elementary would not happen. That kind of thinking is shallow, delusional and should not be allowed to cloud the issue of school security.  Letting the discussion over magazine size and weapon "style" become the focus is a distraction and avoids reality.

The real cause, an uncontrolled mentally ill sociopath.

When it comes to school security, we need to examine how to enhance the safety of our children. The first responder should be properly trained teachers. Airline safety improved after pilots were permitted to carry firearms with proper training. Schools should be no exception.

Making Americans less empowered isn't how you make us more secure.

Schools should be the safest places in the world, and someone should always be ready to stand between our children and a monster that comes in.

Thank you very much

Canned response "From the Office of Senator Cantwell"-

Thank you for contacting me regarding the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.



All Washingtonians - and all Americans - offer our deepest condolences to the families of the 20 children and six school staff members who were killed in this senseless attack. Our thoughts and prayers are with the community of Newtown, as its residents heal from this incomprehensible tragedy.



This horrific attack highlights several issues that must be addressed promptly in order to better protect against such inexplicable violence.    We need to get powerful assault weapons off our streets.  And we need to strengthen services for the mentally ill and their families.



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


For future correspondence with my office, please visit my website at
http://cantwell.senate.gov/contact/

[Marveen1]

I wrote to all three also and Can'twell's canned response (assuring me she supported the last AWB in reply to my letter urging her not to support this one? WTF?) was the only reply I received.

Word for word, man. Copy and Paste.