wow6599
Member
I recently sent Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) a letter regarding my concerns with President Obama's upcoming address on gun legislation - here is her response:
Typical politician type answer or a sign of hope? She has received a grade of "F" from the NRA and GOA in the past.
I hope people from Missouri, and other states with anti-gun politicians, will contact them NOW regarding the upcoming fight.
Regards,
Chris
(wow6599)
"January 30, 2011
Dear Mr. XXXXX,
Thank you for contacting me regarding gun control policy and gun safety. I appreciate hearing from you and welcome the chance to respond.
As you know, the Second Amendment to the Constitution guarantees Americans the fundamental right to bear arms. I strongly support legal and safe gun ownership by law-abiding citizens and have consistently voted to uphold this constitutional right. At the same time, we have to make sure that guns do not fall into the hands of individuals who should not have them. While gun control has traditionally been a divisive topic, I believe we can all agree that law enforcement authorities should work to reduce the number of criminal firearm-related injuries and fatalities while upholding individual gun rights.
On June 26, 2008, the Supreme Court decision in District of Columbia v. Heller struck down the long-standing ban on handguns in the District of Columbia. In this 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court affirmed the existence of an individual right to bear arms and found this right to be fundamental and firmly based in the Constitution. I joined many Missourians in supporting this ruling.
Moreover, since coming to the Senate in 2007, I have voted to support gun rights. For example, in the 111th Congress, I voted to permit gun owners to carry firearms in their checked bags when traveling on Amtrak trains and to require the National Park Service to honor state gun laws when gun owners enter National Parks in their states. I am pleased that both of these common sense provisions, which enhance the ability of sportsmen to enjoy activities like hunting, have become law. Please know that I will continue to support the right of law-abiding citizens to safely own firearms.
Defending individual gun rights while at the same time reducing gun crime and improving gun safety is a delicate balance. All too often, Missourians wake up to poignant news reports of shootings, armed assaults and gun-related deaths of the previous night. Similarly, over the past decade approximately 130 elementary through high school-level students lost their lives in school shootings. These tragedies have left countless families and communities across the country shaken by senseless gun violence. Incidents such as these show the need for the proper balance between protecting individual gun rights and keeping guns out of the wrong hands. As a former prosecutor, I have seen the disturbing consequences of gun-related crime firsthand. Law enforcement authorities should improve the process of background checks for court-determined, dangerous mental conditions at the time of all gun sales. Also, I think we should consider placing certain restrictions on assault weapons and closing the gun show loophole.
Ultimately, it is important that any attempt to promote appropriate gun safety measures not infringe upon law-abiding citizens' right to own firearms or unduly burden the hunting and sportsmanship culture of Missouri. As your United States Senator, I will be sure to keep your thoughts in mind anytime Congress considers gun-related legislation.
Again, thank you for contacting me. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I can be of further assistance to you on this or any other issue.
Sincerely,
Claire McCaskill
United States Senator
P.S. If you would like more information about resources that can help Missourians, or what I am doing in the Senate on your behalf, please sign up for my email newsletter at www.mccaskill.senate.gov."
Typical politician type answer or a sign of hope? She has received a grade of "F" from the NRA and GOA in the past.
I hope people from Missouri, and other states with anti-gun politicians, will contact them NOW regarding the upcoming fight.
Regards,
Chris
(wow6599)