This is the reply I received from Sen Warner regarding a comment I sent him opposing the ATF's gun regulations for border states (that wasn't restricted to just border states...).
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Dear Mr. xxxxx,
Thank you for contacting me regarding the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' (ATF) initiative regarding multiple sales of specific long guns in the Southwestern border states.
On December 17, 2010, the ATF stated in the Federal Register its intent to initiate a Demand Letter requiring Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) to report multiple sales of certain long guns in the Southwestern Border States of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. Ken Melson, the Acting Director of ATF, has emphasized that "the purpose of requiring FFLs to report the specified multiple long gun sales in these four source states is to identify criminal firearms traffickers, not to prevent the full and free exercise of our Second Amendment rights, or to encumber the FFLs with burdensome paperwork." The initiative is currently under review by the Office of Management and Budget.
With respect to gun control generally, I realize that there are very strong opinions on both sides of the debate around Second Amendment rights. I support public policies that ensure the responsible and appropriate use of guns, as well as efforts to reduce gun-related crimes through increased enforcement and background checks. I recently supported full funding of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), the only national database that flags individuals who are precluded under current law from purchasing or possessing firearms.
In the aftermath of the tragedy in Tucson, Arizona and in light of the Virginia Tech shootings, we must remain vigilant in our efforts to ensure firearms do not get into the wrong hands.
Again, thank you for writing. Please continue to be in touch with your opinions and concerns.
Sincerely,
MARK R. WARNER
United States Senator
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Dear Mr. xxxxx,
Thank you for contacting me regarding the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' (ATF) initiative regarding multiple sales of specific long guns in the Southwestern border states.
On December 17, 2010, the ATF stated in the Federal Register its intent to initiate a Demand Letter requiring Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) to report multiple sales of certain long guns in the Southwestern Border States of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. Ken Melson, the Acting Director of ATF, has emphasized that "the purpose of requiring FFLs to report the specified multiple long gun sales in these four source states is to identify criminal firearms traffickers, not to prevent the full and free exercise of our Second Amendment rights, or to encumber the FFLs with burdensome paperwork." The initiative is currently under review by the Office of Management and Budget.
With respect to gun control generally, I realize that there are very strong opinions on both sides of the debate around Second Amendment rights. I support public policies that ensure the responsible and appropriate use of guns, as well as efforts to reduce gun-related crimes through increased enforcement and background checks. I recently supported full funding of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), the only national database that flags individuals who are precluded under current law from purchasing or possessing firearms.
In the aftermath of the tragedy in Tucson, Arizona and in light of the Virginia Tech shootings, we must remain vigilant in our efforts to ensure firearms do not get into the wrong hands.
Again, thank you for writing. Please continue to be in touch with your opinions and concerns.
Sincerely,
MARK R. WARNER
United States Senator