So I wrote a letter today, my own letter not a forwarded form letter. I sent it to all local and federal reps, but the federal one is the one I'll post because it has a preamble just for the federal rep. The state reps got the same letter minus the admonisment regarding local dealers, ranges, mfg.'s, etc.
The more of us that write these letters, the more often we do it, the bigger impact we'll have. If you buy firearms and you aren't writing these bastards, you are wrong. How much and how often is up to you, but you can't overdo it. Know that each email or letter statistically represents a hundred or more that didn't write. They know this. A phone call can be worth ten times as much, depending.
So here's my letter, italics are part of the federal letter only:
Denny Heck, you represent a VA hospital, two military installations, one of the largest populations of disabled and retired veterans, many combat arms, no less than 3 public ranges and at least one shotgun dedicated range, a military range complex, a plethora of firearms stores and several firearms manufacturers.
So why do you consistently vote AGAINST your constituents? Who do you represent exactly, I really want to know, and don't say it's "we the people" because I know my neighbors, likely a lot better than you, and they don't exactly see things your way.
I am writing to request that you refuse to support any additional firearms legislation that does not have the full backing of the NRA and the shooting public.
For far too long now, law after law has been chipping away at the 2A with no other goal than to cripple it. The laws aren't effective in anything other than crippling the rights of law abiding citizens, who each year are expected, and dutifully comply with, a never ending onslaught of new regulations to abide by.
The criminal element amongst us does not abide by these laws.
I sometimes have a hard time understanding --is it me that you want to criminalize? Because if you aim is to legislate the 2A into oblivion, I assure you at some point the law abiders will begin to join the criminals once they have more in common than they do with a government that is becoming less and less democratic by the day.
My firearms are locked up, behind 6000lbs. of concrete and steel. Each one has been purchased legally, I've had a conceal carry permit for the last eighteen years in good standing. I've never broken a firearms law, despite the everchanging multitude I must keep in mind. I own silencers, short barrel rifles and heavy caliber weapons.
And I'm the least of your concerns.
So why the constant attack? I support gay rights, I support true equality, I support all the good things --live and let live. I and most people like me detest the radical groups and detest being listed with radical groups whose primary goal is hate. Our primary goal is to go shooting, have our competitions --it's a lot like golf with different tools-- so why am I a target then the same as them? Why does every mass shooting have to involve a discussion about infringing on my rights?
As what point do you just admit to yourself that the country is dead and that it was killed by laws drafted by others who just couldn't stand to see someone else doing something they don't approve of? Is that the America you were brought up to cherish?
I implore of you, involve rational gun owners in these discussions, particularly when they come to legislation. There is no reason why people who are afraid of firearms, don't understand and don't own them are making laws for those that do. It's akin to white men making laws for black men to follow, or straight people making laws for gay people to follow. In the America I grew up in, that's called wrong.
Finally, as a GWOT vet that carried live ammo with an ROE card and a SAW machinegun on American soil during 9/11, finally as an SDM/sniper instructor, I find it disgusting that now I'm treated as a "lesser citizen" with regards to 2A --it's me and people like me that you should be keeping council with, we know what laws will work and which ones won't (we deal with them day in and day out) and I can tell you for a fact that ones drafted by non-firearms owners and individuals that in general are afraid of and hate firearms aren't worth the paper they're written on.
Well, that's how I feel. Perhaps I could have edited it and put it more succinctly but it was the best I could do at the moment. If we want to stop or put the brakes on some of this assinine shit, I think this is a good start. Personally I've seen a lot of good come out of the WA state legislature. Some bad, but overwhelmingly good things.
The more of us that write these letters, the more often we do it, the bigger impact we'll have. If you buy firearms and you aren't writing these bastards, you are wrong. How much and how often is up to you, but you can't overdo it. Know that each email or letter statistically represents a hundred or more that didn't write. They know this. A phone call can be worth ten times as much, depending.
So here's my letter, italics are part of the federal letter only:
Denny Heck, you represent a VA hospital, two military installations, one of the largest populations of disabled and retired veterans, many combat arms, no less than 3 public ranges and at least one shotgun dedicated range, a military range complex, a plethora of firearms stores and several firearms manufacturers.
So why do you consistently vote AGAINST your constituents? Who do you represent exactly, I really want to know, and don't say it's "we the people" because I know my neighbors, likely a lot better than you, and they don't exactly see things your way.
I am writing to request that you refuse to support any additional firearms legislation that does not have the full backing of the NRA and the shooting public.
For far too long now, law after law has been chipping away at the 2A with no other goal than to cripple it. The laws aren't effective in anything other than crippling the rights of law abiding citizens, who each year are expected, and dutifully comply with, a never ending onslaught of new regulations to abide by.
The criminal element amongst us does not abide by these laws.
I sometimes have a hard time understanding --is it me that you want to criminalize? Because if you aim is to legislate the 2A into oblivion, I assure you at some point the law abiders will begin to join the criminals once they have more in common than they do with a government that is becoming less and less democratic by the day.
My firearms are locked up, behind 6000lbs. of concrete and steel. Each one has been purchased legally, I've had a conceal carry permit for the last eighteen years in good standing. I've never broken a firearms law, despite the everchanging multitude I must keep in mind. I own silencers, short barrel rifles and heavy caliber weapons.
And I'm the least of your concerns.
So why the constant attack? I support gay rights, I support true equality, I support all the good things --live and let live. I and most people like me detest the radical groups and detest being listed with radical groups whose primary goal is hate. Our primary goal is to go shooting, have our competitions --it's a lot like golf with different tools-- so why am I a target then the same as them? Why does every mass shooting have to involve a discussion about infringing on my rights?
As what point do you just admit to yourself that the country is dead and that it was killed by laws drafted by others who just couldn't stand to see someone else doing something they don't approve of? Is that the America you were brought up to cherish?
I implore of you, involve rational gun owners in these discussions, particularly when they come to legislation. There is no reason why people who are afraid of firearms, don't understand and don't own them are making laws for those that do. It's akin to white men making laws for black men to follow, or straight people making laws for gay people to follow. In the America I grew up in, that's called wrong.
Finally, as a GWOT vet that carried live ammo with an ROE card and a SAW machinegun on American soil during 9/11, finally as an SDM/sniper instructor, I find it disgusting that now I'm treated as a "lesser citizen" with regards to 2A --it's me and people like me that you should be keeping council with, we know what laws will work and which ones won't (we deal with them day in and day out) and I can tell you for a fact that ones drafted by non-firearms owners and individuals that in general are afraid of and hate firearms aren't worth the paper they're written on.
Well, that's how I feel. Perhaps I could have edited it and put it more succinctly but it was the best I could do at the moment. If we want to stop or put the brakes on some of this assinine shit, I think this is a good start. Personally I've seen a lot of good come out of the WA state legislature. Some bad, but overwhelmingly good things.
