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Dear Mr.........

Thank you for contacting me with your opposition to gun control. I appreciate hearing from you.

The recent mass shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School and Clackamas Town Center are tragedies, and as the father of three children under six, I cannot imagine the horror and heartbreak faced by the families of the young victims. Like many Oregonians, I believe in the right of law-abiding citizens to own guns. I am also committed to working for a number of policies that will help prevent these tragedies in the future and protect public safety.

First, I hope you can join me in supporting more mental health care services. My late brother Jeff suffered from a serious mental illness. My family was constantly aware of the potential for violence that Jeff's condition presented. As a country it is long past time to prioritize the awareness, diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues. Those with emotional and psychological disorders need our help. It is time to establish, once and for all, a system through which individuals who are found to be a potential threat to themselves or others can receive the treatment that they need. It also means assisting family members, friends, teachers, and other observers--including gun sellers and range owners--when they sense something is amiss and that an individual might need professional help.

Many gun owners already believe that gun rights include responsibilities. I believe gun owners have a responsibility to secure their weapons and prevent illegal use. Gun owners should have the responsibility to demonstrate proficiency with their firearm and familiarity with laws regarding them. In households with unlicensed individuals, gun owners must keep their firearms under lock and key. All owners have the responsibility to ensure that their own sales and transfers are conducted within a system to prevent dangerous individuals from obtaining weapons. Sales or transfers of dangerous weapons should not be conducted outside a well regulated retail system that checks for detailed criminal and mental health history. The federal background check database must be made substantially more accurate and comprehensive. This system must also include legal protection for licensed dealers who refuse a questionable sale.

This is not a simple problem with a single solution. Each solution should balance rights and responsibilities, promote responsible gun ownership and address the woeful lack of mental health services across the nation. I intend to do everything possible to move forward before our nation loses more of our children to yet another tragedy.

I’m grateful for your thoughts on gun ownership and will keep them in mind as we begin the new Congress and debate mental health issues and any gun safety measures. Again, thank you for keeping me apprised of the issues that are important to you. If I may be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.



Sincerely,

Ron Wyden
United States Senator
 
Not too bad. The worst part is this:

In households with unlicensed individuals, gun owners must keep their firearms under lock and key. All owners have the responsibility to ensure that their own sales and transfers are conducted within a system to prevent dangerous individuals from obtaining weapons. Sales or transfers of dangerous weapons should not be conducted outside a well regulated retail system that checks for detailed criminal and mental health history.
 
He seems to have changed his tune a bit from the letter he sent me.

Dear Mr. DieselScout:

Thank you for contacting me with your thoughts gun safety and your belief that the issues are more complex than just focusing on gun control. I appreciate hearing from you. The recent mass shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School and Clackamas Town Center are tragedies beyond words and becoming all too common.

As the father of three children under six, I have tried to imagine the horror of a parent who has sent their child to a school or mall only to never have them return home due to gun violence. As an elected official, I am supposed to have words of comfort in the aftermath of disaster or tragedy, but no words can do justice to a parent's grief over losses like these. In the wake of these events, I have received an out-pouring of emails, calls, and letters from Oregonians — many writing and calling for the first time.

I have supported important public safety initiatives in the past including closing the Gun Show Loophole, but I have concluded that these steps alone are not enough to protect public safety. I am committed to working for a number of policies that will help prevent these tragedies in the future.

First, my late brother Jeff suffered from a serious mental illness. My family and I were constantly aware of the potential for violence, both against himself and others that his condition presented. As a country it is long past time to prioritize the awareness, diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues. Those with emotional and psychological disorders need our help. It is time to establish, once and for all, a system through which individuals who are found to be a potential threat to themselves or others can receive the treatment that they need. It also means assisting family members, friends, teachers, and other observers, including gun sellers and range owners, when they sense something is amiss and that an individual might need professional help.

Second, as the Supreme Court has outlined limits to the First Amendment right of free speech, particularly involving the responsibility of the speaker not to promote panic or incite violence, the Second Amendment includes its own responsibilities for gun owners. In addition it gives our legislatures the mandate to promote and protect public safety to stop these tragedies from happening again and again.

Third, policies must be enacted that get military-style assault rifles out of the hands of individuals who would commit these heinous crimes. In addition, Congress should decide whether the most dangerous types of weapons and ammunition should be held to higher ownership, licensing and security standards than other firearms. There must be renewed attention to securing our schools through the COPS School Resource Officers program, and we must ensure that our rural communities have the resources to protect their children through funding programs like Secure Rural Schools.

Many gun owners already believe that gun rights include responsibilities. I believe there is a responsibility to secure your weapons and prevent the illegal use of your firearms. Gun owners should have the responsibility to demonstrate proficiency with their firearm and familiarity with laws regarding them. In households with unlicensed individuals, gun owners must keep their firearms under lock and key. All owners have the responsibility to ensure that their own sales and transfers are conducted within a system to prevent dangerous individuals from obtaining weapons. Sales or transfers of dangerous weapons should not be conducted outside a well regulated retail system that checks for detailed criminal and mental health history. The federal background check database must be made substantially more accurate and comprehensive. This system must also include legal protection for licensed dealers who refuse a questionable sale.

This is not a simple problem with a single solution. Each of these steps would balance rights and responsibilities, limit access to the most dangerous weapons, promote responsible gun ownership and address the woeful lack of mental health services across the nation. I intend to do everything possible to move forward before our nation loses more of our children to yet another tragedy.

I'm grateful for your thoughts on gun safety and will keep them in mind as we begin the new Congress and debate mental health issues and gun control measures. Again, thank you for keeping me apprised of the issues that are important to you. If I may be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.



Sincerely,

Ron Wyden
United States Senator
 
Hopefully he didn't only change his response to avoid outrage, hopefully he changed his opinion and how he will vote.

I emailed him the week after the shooting, so it could have been a more emotional version of the same form letter. Needless to say when I got his response I was frustrated to read it. I understand people's feeling on firearms especially when they are ignorant about them. But I really think it's time we take a long hard look at the countries mental health system, and the drugs we are prescribing to these kids.
 
Here is a recent update:

Dear Mr. M:

Thank you for contacting me with your opposition to gun control. I appreciate hearing from you.

The recent mass shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School and Clackamas Town Center are tragedies, and as the father of three children under six, I cannot imagine the horror and heartbreak faced by the families of the young victims. Like many Oregonians, I believe in the right of law-abiding citizens to own guns. I am also committed to working for a number of policies that will help prevent these tragedies in the future and protect public safety.

First, I hope you can join me in supporting more mental health care services. My late brother Jeff suffered from a serious mental illness. My family was constantly aware of the potential for violence that Jeff's condition presented. As a country it is long past time to prioritize the awareness, diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues. Those with emotional and psychological disorders need our help. It is time to establish, once and for all, a system through which individuals who are found to be a potential threat to themselves or others can receive the treatment that they need. It also means assisting family members, friends, teachers, and other observers--including gun sellers and range owners--when they sense something is amiss and that an individual might need professional help.

Many gun owners already believe that gun rights include responsibilities. I believe gun owners have a responsibility to secure their weapons and prevent illegal use. Gun owners should have the responsibility to demonstrate proficiency with their firearm and familiarity with laws regarding them. In households with unlicensed individuals, gun owners must keep their firearms under lock and key. All owners have the responsibility to ensure that their own sales and transfers are conducted within a system to prevent dangerous individuals from obtaining weapons. Sales or transfers of dangerous weapons should not be conducted outside a well regulated retail system that checks for detailed criminal and mental health history. The federal background check database must be made substantially more accurate and comprehensive. This system must also include legal protection for licensed dealers who refuse a questionable sale.

This is not a simple problem with a single solution. Each solution should balance rights and responsibilities, promote responsible gun ownership and address the woeful lack of mental health services across the nation. I intend to do everything possible to move forward before our nation loses more of our children to yet another tragedy.

I'm grateful for your thoughts on gun ownership and will keep them in mind as we begin the new Congress and debate mental health issues and any gun safety measures. Again, thank you for keeping me apprised of the issues that are important to you. If I may be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,

Ron Wyden
United States Senator

BAH!
 
Gah. He changes it to be "well, that's looking like he's moving in the right direction" then to "Oh, man, why did he have to put that back in?"

Annoyed I couldn't make his town hall meetings. I'll have to see what other, better than "random letter from constituent" I can do to try to get him to keep going the right direction.
 
I have quite an extensive vocabulary when I choose to apply it.

However, I'm old, I'm tired and I am done arguing with brainwashed idiots. My rights do not derive from the government. I no longer "dialogue" with people who are convinced that they own the moral high ground. Their plan is the eventual disarmament of the Citizenry. The left conceals their socialist agenda under the guise of emotional platitudes/feel good rhetoric, strengthening the entitlement class and the "intellectual superiority" of all who blindly follow the party line.

Thank you for your feedback; the left is counting on you.
 
My rights do not derive from the government. I no longer "dialogue" with people who are convinced that they own the moral high ground. Their plan is the eventual disarmament of the Citizenry. The left conceals their socialist agenda under the guise of emotional platitudes/feel good rhetoric, strengthening the entitlement class and the "intellectual superiority" of all who blindly follow the party line.

On the money! :s0155:
 
Dear Mr.........

Thank you for contacting me with your opposition to gun control. I appreciate hearing from you.

The recent mass shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School and Clackamas Town Center are tragedies, and as the father of three children under six, I cannot imagine the horror and heartbreak faced by the families of the young victims. Like many Oregonians, I believe in the right of law-abiding citizens to own guns. I am also committed to working for a number of policies that will help prevent these tragedies in the future and protect public safety.

First, I hope you can join me in supporting more mental health care services. My late brother Jeff suffered from a serious mental illness. My family was constantly aware of the potential for violence that Jeff's condition presented. As a country it is long past time to prioritize the awareness, diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues. Those with emotional and psychological disorders need our help. It is time to establish, once and for all, a system through which individuals who are found to be a potential threat to themselves or others can receive the treatment that they need. It also means assisting family members, friends, teachers, and other observers--including gun sellers and range owners--when they sense something is amiss and that an individual might need professional help.

Many gun owners already believe that gun rights include responsibilities. I believe gun owners have a responsibility to secure their weapons and prevent illegal use. Gun owners should have the responsibility to demonstrate proficiency with their firearm and familiarity with laws regarding them. In households with unlicensed individuals, gun owners must keep their firearms under lock and key. F this !!!!!!!!!!!!!! All owners have the responsibility to ensure that their own sales and transfers are conducted within a system to prevent dangerous individuals from obtaining weapons. Sales or transfers of dangerous weapons should not be conducted outside a well regulated retail system that checks for detailed criminal and mental health history. F this as well !!!!!!!!!!!!! The federal background check database must be made substantially more accurate and comprehensive. This system must also include legal protection for licensed dealers who refuse a questionable sale.

This is not a simple problem with a single solution. Each solution should balance rights and responsibilities, promote responsible gun ownership and address the woeful lack of mental health services across the nation. I intend to do everything possible to move forward before our nation loses more of our children to yet another tragedy. Oh I msure he will place laws and restriction on what you do in your own home, lock it up and register it so we they know where they are so they can come and get them when ready
I'm grateful for your thoughts on gun ownership and will keep them in mind as we begin the new Congress and debate mental health issues and any gun safety measures. Again, thank you for keeping me apprised of the issues that are important to you. If I may be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
 
Soooo....all that "Write your senators now! Let them know how you feel! Be proactive!" Is it really gonna work? Do they really care that we write to them? All those pre-written responses seems a bit disingenuous don't they?
 
Thank you for contacting me with your opposition to gun control. I appreciate hearing from you.

The recent mass shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School and Clackamas Town Center are tragedies, and as the father of three children under six, I cannot imagine the horror and heartbreak faced by the families of the young victims. Like many Oregonians, I believe in the right of law-abiding citizens to own guns. I am also committed to working for a number of policies that will help prevent these tragedies in the future and protect public safety.

First, I hope you can join me in supporting more mental health care services. My late brother Jeff suffered from a serious mental illness. My family was constantly aware of the potential for violence that Jeff's condition presented. As a country it is long past time to prioritize the awareness, diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues. Those with emotional and psychological disorders need our help. It is time to establish, once and for all, a system through which individuals who are found to be a potential threat to themselves or others can receive the treatment that they need. It also means assisting family members, friends, teachers, and other observers--including gun sellers and range owners--when they sense something is amiss and that an individual might need professional help.

Many gun owners already believe that gun rights include responsibilities. I believe gun owners have a responsibility to secure their weapons and prevent illegal use. Gun owners should have the responsibility to demonstrate proficiency with their firearm and familiarity with laws regarding them. In households with unlicensed individuals, gun owners must keep their firearms under lock and key. All owners have the responsibility to ensure that their own sales and transfers are conducted within a system to prevent dangerous individuals from obtaining weapons. Sales or transfers of dangerous weapons should not be conducted outside a well regulated retail system that checks for detailed criminal and mental health history. The federal background check database must be made substantially more accurate and comprehensive. This system must also include legal protection for licensed dealers who refuse a questionable sale.

This is not a simple problem with a single solution. Each solution should balance rights and responsibilities, promote responsible gun ownership and address the woeful lack of mental health services across the nation. I intend to do everything possible to move forward before our nation loses more of our children to yet another tragedy.

I’m grateful for your thoughts on gun ownership and will keep them in mind as we begin the new Congress and debate mental health issues and any gun safety measures. Again, thank you for keeping me apprised of the issues that are important to you. If I may be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
 
lol sorry didn't see that, i went poking around to see if anyone else had heard from him......nice canned response......Mental Health is the Issue not guns.
 
"Gun owners should have the responsibility to demonstrate proficiency with their firearm and familiarity with laws regarding them. In households with unlicensed individuals, gun owners must keep their firearms under lock and key."

Replace firearm with "Words and speech" or" religious beliefs"

Are we going to need licenses for our first amendment rights as well?
What comes next?


Oh yeah, " Sales or transfers of dangerous weapons should not be conducted outside a well regulated retail system that checks for detailed criminal and mental health history." So we need to start with Hammers, cars, and baseball bats, because they kill more folks than AR-15s and Mini 14s.
 
I like it better than Merkley's. . . .I'm Libertarian in my thinking, so it doesn't matter to me if a politician is a D or an R, I generally don't trust em . . . however Wyden has been winning my respect by trying hard to protect us from the NDAA and warantless wire tapping. I like private sales, and I don't want to have to lock up my guns. . . . even though I already do, religiously!! But at least no mention of magazine/weapons bans, and I agree: we gotta do more to help keep the nuts on meds and/or off the the streets.


Dear Mr.:

Thank you for contacting me with your opposition to gun control. I appreciate hearing from you.

The recent mass shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School and Clackamas Town Center are tragedies, and as the father of three children under six, I cannot imagine the horror and heartbreak faced by the families of the young victims. Like many Oregonians, I believe in the right of law-abiding citizens to own guns. I am also committed to working for a number of policies that will help prevent these tragedies in the future and protect public safety.

First, I hope you can join me in supporting more mental health care services. My late brother Jeff suffered from a serious mental illness. My family was constantly aware of the potential for violence that Jeff's condition presented. As a country it is long past time to prioritize the awareness, diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues. Those with emotional and psychological disorders need our help. It is time to establish, once and for all, a system through which individuals who are found to be a potential threat to themselves or others can receive the treatment that they need. It also means assisting family members, friends, teachers, and other observers--including gun sellers and range owners--when they sense something is amiss and that an individual might need professional help.

Many gun owners already believe that gun rights include responsibilities. I believe gun owners have a responsibility to secure their weapons and prevent illegal use. Gun owners should have the responsibility to demonstrate proficiency with their firearm and familiarity with laws regarding them. In households with unlicensed individuals, gun owners must keep their firearms under lock and key. All owners have the responsibility to ensure that their own sales and transfers are conducted within a system to prevent dangerous individuals from obtaining weapons. Sales or transfers of dangerous weapons should not be conducted outside a well regulated retail system that checks for detailed criminal and mental health history. The federal background check database must be made substantially more accurate and comprehensive. This system must also include legal protection for licensed dealers who refuse a questionable sale.

This is not a simple problem with a single solution. Each solution should balance rights and responsibilities, promote responsible gun ownership and address the woeful lack of mental health services across the nation. I intend to do everything possible to move forward before our nation loses more of our children to yet another tragedy.

I’m grateful for your thoughts on gun ownership and will keep them in mind as we begin the new Congress and debate mental health issues and any gun safety measures. Again, thank you for keeping me apprised of the issues that are important to you. If I may be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.



Sincerely,

Ron Wyden
United States Senator
 
Throughout history, what happened to the folks with mental/physical illness in countries that had been disarmed?

Might remind these dudes about what happened in Germany. The Nazi's disarmed the people and then murdered everyone that fits in the above category.


We have fascists running the show now.
 

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