this was just sent to senator cantwell
In regards to your letter to Mr. Thurston,
This letter was brought to my attention and I have highlighted statements made by you which I have a question about each one.
1. Besides the Brady bunch and their terminology. in your opinion what is an assault weapon?
What ASSAULT WEAPONS are on the streets here in the United States of America. I would like to hear where a "FULL AUTO FIREARM" NOT A SEMI AUTO RIFLE (that is what a assault weapon is FULL AUTO) was used on the streets (in present times) of any State in the U.S. enough to cause a ban on any firearms
2. I would like to hear a definition of what consist of a gun show loophole. From where I stand in Washington State we are allowed to have a private transfer of firearms between residents of Washington without a background check. But if anyone buys a gun from a licensed dealer even at gun shows they DO have to go through a background check, So once again I ask you what is the "gun show loophole".
3. If you do support the Second Amendment what part of SHAL NOT BE INFRINGED do you not understand?
4. If you support increased gun-safety and gun-use education what do you propose? The N.R.A. has quite a history in promoting gun safety and education. since you support gun safety are you a member of the N.R.A to help support this?
there are over 40,000 gun laws on the books but yet the C.D.C. cannot prove ONE law which has stopped a criminal from committing a crime.
What is so hard for you or anyone to understand that you are only taking away liberties of law abiding citizens by imposing new gun laws, When you put forth a new gun law only law abiding people will obey the law, criminals will NOT.
Why do you not put pressure on the judges that are putting criminals back on the street with their plea bargaining instead of putting them where they belong "IN JAIL"
You were put in office to work FOR the people, not for the criminals by disarming LAW ABIDING CITIZENS, so start doing your job.
I will be patiently waiting for your response with the answers to my questions
Respectfully
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Mr. Thurston,
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 issue
s that must be addressed promptly in order to better protect against such inexplicable violence.
1. 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.
2. 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,
3. I believe we must support increased gun-safety and gun-use education.
4.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
In regards to your letter to Mr. Thurston,
This letter was brought to my attention and I have highlighted statements made by you which I have a question about each one.
1. Besides the Brady bunch and their terminology. in your opinion what is an assault weapon?
What ASSAULT WEAPONS are on the streets here in the United States of America. I would like to hear where a "FULL AUTO FIREARM" NOT A SEMI AUTO RIFLE (that is what a assault weapon is FULL AUTO) was used on the streets (in present times) of any State in the U.S. enough to cause a ban on any firearms
2. I would like to hear a definition of what consist of a gun show loophole. From where I stand in Washington State we are allowed to have a private transfer of firearms between residents of Washington without a background check. But if anyone buys a gun from a licensed dealer even at gun shows they DO have to go through a background check, So once again I ask you what is the "gun show loophole".
3. If you do support the Second Amendment what part of SHAL NOT BE INFRINGED do you not understand?
4. If you support increased gun-safety and gun-use education what do you propose? The N.R.A. has quite a history in promoting gun safety and education. since you support gun safety are you a member of the N.R.A to help support this?
there are over 40,000 gun laws on the books but yet the C.D.C. cannot prove ONE law which has stopped a criminal from committing a crime.
What is so hard for you or anyone to understand that you are only taking away liberties of law abiding citizens by imposing new gun laws, When you put forth a new gun law only law abiding people will obey the law, criminals will NOT.
Why do you not put pressure on the judges that are putting criminals back on the street with their plea bargaining instead of putting them where they belong "IN JAIL"
You were put in office to work FOR the people, not for the criminals by disarming LAW ABIDING CITIZENS, so start doing your job.
I will be patiently waiting for your response with the answers to my questions
Respectfully
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Mr. Thurston,
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 issue
s that must be addressed promptly in order to better protect against such inexplicable violence.
1. 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.
2. 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,
3. I believe we must support increased gun-safety and gun-use education.
4.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
