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Dear Rick,
Thank you for your recent email about the tragic events that took place in Orlando on June 12, 2016. On that day, a lone gunman motivated by hate and a desire to terrorize America took the lives of 49 innocent people and injured 53 more.
What happened in Orlando was both a terrorist attack and a hate crime against the Latino and LGBT communities. As we continue to keep the victims of Orlando and their loved ones in our thoughts and prayers, our national conversation has turned to multiple topics including tolerance, domestic security and access to guns.
I stand with Oregonians who believe that law-abiding gun owners should be able to exercise their Second Amendment rights responsibly. I recognize the importance of gun ownership to security, hunting, target shooting, and gun collecting.
I also believe that it is simple common sense to restrict access to guns by criminals, by deeply mentally disturbed individuals, and by individuals contemplating acts of terrorism.
These views mirror those of most Oregonians, who support both the Second Amendment and closing background check loopholes. In fact, the majority of Oregonians voted in favor of a ballot initiative that expanded background checks to help close the gun show loophole over a decade and a half ago. I believe we can take action to improve the background check system nationally while fully respecting the rights of law-abiding gun owners.
Thank you, again, for sharing your views on this topic with me. I will be sure to keep your views in mind as the Senate continues to consider gun-related legislation.
All my best,
Jeffrey A. Merkley
United States Senator