I didn't want to start a new thread for this. And this one seems to fit the bill for my discussion. I sent my Congressman a letter about a week ago. It was one of skidmark's letters. This is the reply I received.
January 9, 2013
Dear Mr. Sanders,
Thank you very much for contacting me to express your views on the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary. I value and give careful consideration to the good counsel that I receive, and refer to that good counsel as the "wisdom of the district."
On Friday, December 14, I turned the television on expecting to see an update on the "fiscal cliff." Instead the screen filled with images from the unspeakable tragedy which was still unfolding in Newtown, Connecticut. A safe haven for children had become a killing field, enveloping Sandy Hook Elementary School and our country in anguish too great to comprehend. Teri and I join America in mourning over the loss of innocent life. Our deepest sympathies, prayers, and heartfelt condolences are with the families of the victims.
The horror at Sandy Hook Elementary makes tragically clear that we are not meeting our obligation to protect our children. That is profoundly wrong. We must take wise steps to reduce mass shootings and gun violence. Doing nothing is not an option.
A national debate on what those next steps should be continues to create tension between the moral imperative to protect our children with the rights guaranteed in the Second Amendment. I have not immediately demanded that specific steps be taken in response to the tragedy. That's deliberate, because I have come to appreciate the wisdom gained by gathering and reviewing relevant facts; by hearing from you, the residents of the 2nd district; and by taking time to properly assess the alternatives. There are, however, certain foundational principles I hold to be true and which will guide me in this process, including:
· Those suffering from mental illness must have access to proper psychiatric care, but they must not have access to guns.
· Gun ownership is a constitutional right, carrying with it a high burden of responsibility.
· Taking substantive steps to better protect our children and preserving Second Amendment rights are not mutually exclusive ends, though I acknowledge the difficulty in balancing the two.
· President Obama was correct when he stated: "No single law — no set of laws can eliminate evil from the world, or prevent every senseless act of violence in our society."
Due diligence is not inaction, and you can expect to see specific updates on my efforts to address this critical topic in upcoming editions of the Rigell Report. Though news coverage of the tragedy will diminish, my commitment to advancing the right steps to better protect our children will remain.
It is important to me that I keep you fully informed regarding how I am representing you in Congress, so please visit my website Rigell.house.gov and sign up for my e-newsletter, "The Rigell Report." I also encourage you to join me on Facebook at facebook.com/RepScottRigell. Both sites feature timely updates on the votes I am taking on the House floor.
In closing, please know that I consider it a high honor to serve and represent you and your family in Congress.
Mindful that I work for you, I remain
Yours in Freedom,
Scott Rigell
Member of Congress
Thus far I have sent a letter a week to our senators and my congressman regarding knocking down further gun control. Starting this week i will make regular calls. I just thought I'd start this thread for discussion on the topic and to look for any other thoughts or ideas how to affect change at the federal level short of going up to D.C. every week of course. Apparently self defense is a crime there:uhoh:
