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I was out of town lately and was going through a bunch of old emails. I read Merkley's reply to a letter and email that I had sent. I knew he would not support my opinion but I was surprised by the hypocrisy of a statement in his reply. Here is his office's reply--check out the highlighted comment.
Dear Garrett,
Thank you for contacting me to share your views regarding an amendment offered to the Defense Authorization Act (S.1390) that would have modified gun ownership regulations by requiring states to recognize all other states' concealed carry permits. It is an honor to serve as your Senator, and I appreciate hearing from you on this important matter.
I understand that people feel very passionately on both sides regarding the limits and regulation of gun ownership. The provision offered by Senators John Thune (R-SD) and David Vitter (R-LA) would have allowed gun owners with valid permits from one state to carry concealed weapons in other states that issue such permits. I voted in opposition to this amendment, which failed to pass and thus be adopted as part of the defense authorization bill.
I opposed the Thune-Vitter amendment because the bill would have permitted gun owners from states with weaker gun laws to carry concealed weapons in Oregon. While I have always supported the right of law-abiding gun owners to own and use firearms, I believe states should have the right to establish and enforce their own gun laws, particularly since views tend to vary widely across regions. I believe that Oregonians, not politicians, should determine who has the right to carry within the state.
Thank you, again, for sharing your thoughts with me, and please continue to keep me informed about the issues that matter most to you.
All my best, Jeff Merkley
United States Senate
Isn't that exactly what he and others are doing?
Dear Garrett,
Thank you for contacting me to share your views regarding an amendment offered to the Defense Authorization Act (S.1390) that would have modified gun ownership regulations by requiring states to recognize all other states' concealed carry permits. It is an honor to serve as your Senator, and I appreciate hearing from you on this important matter.
I understand that people feel very passionately on both sides regarding the limits and regulation of gun ownership. The provision offered by Senators John Thune (R-SD) and David Vitter (R-LA) would have allowed gun owners with valid permits from one state to carry concealed weapons in other states that issue such permits. I voted in opposition to this amendment, which failed to pass and thus be adopted as part of the defense authorization bill.
I opposed the Thune-Vitter amendment because the bill would have permitted gun owners from states with weaker gun laws to carry concealed weapons in Oregon. While I have always supported the right of law-abiding gun owners to own and use firearms, I believe states should have the right to establish and enforce their own gun laws, particularly since views tend to vary widely across regions. I believe that Oregonians, not politicians, should determine who has the right to carry within the state.
Thank you, again, for sharing your thoughts with me, and please continue to keep me informed about the issues that matter most to you.
All my best, Jeff Merkley
United States Senate
Isn't that exactly what he and others are doing?