I have been writing to various elected officials to make my voice heard as the AW Ban sunset grows nearer.

I wanted to post the text of my most recent letter.  If you would like to make use of it, feel free to copy it and paste it into your word processor.

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Dear President Bush,

September 13, 2004 is fast approaching.  On that day the federal assault weapons ban will end.  I am writing to urge you to oppose of the "Assault Weapons Ban and Law Enforcement Protection Act of 2003", (H.R. 2038 and S. 1431) and any other legislation that is part of the ongoing attempt to further erode an individual’s 2nd Amendment rights.

Proponents of the original Federal Assault Weapons Ban clearly demonstrate that they want to continue restricting other people’s 2nd Amendment rights.  These proponents attempt to demonize manufacturers who complied with original law by discontinuing manufacture of bayonet lugs, flash suppressors and high capacity magazines.  They reference the murders taking place in the Washington DC area in 2002 as a prime example, but fail to mention that the murderers illegally acquired the firearm in question or that those crimes could have just as easily been committed with a bolt or lever action hunting rifle.

These proponents go farther and now want to define and dictate what is a valid sporting use of a firearm.  For example a section of S. 1431 clearly states that because a firearm has use in a sporting event, does not make it a sporting arm.

As an example of the firearms being targeted and their valid sporting use, there are many people who compete in what is known as National Match Competition.  These competitions where established under the auspicious of the Department of Civilian Marksmanship by President Theodore Roosevelt and have continued since his presidency.  One major area of these organized sanctioned competitions is the use of the M1 Garand, M1-A and AR15 type rifles.   Competitions occur across the nation every weekend with competitors proceeding to regional, state and national events.  I ask you, is this not a valid sporting use?

I remember when you were Governor of Texas; there was a drive to enact “Hate Crime” legislation using the horrible event in Jasper, Texas as an example of their need.   I remember your response to these requests for more laws that the criminals were murderers and Texas law charged and convicted them of Capital Murder and sentenced them to pay the ultimate price for their actions.   The point of bringing this example up is that there are current laws that are capable of dealing with criminal offenses when properly enforced. The solution is not new laws that only law-abiding citizens will obey, but enforcement of current laws and active pursuit of criminals.

Mr. President, I ask that you that you help stop the continuing erosion of 2nd Amendment rights - an amendment that the founding fathers placed 2nd only to right of free speech.  I firmly believe the fact that the right to keep and bear arms is 2nd is a demonstration of the importance the founding fathers placed on this right of the people.

Thank you and God Bless The United States of America.

Respectfully,


Your Name

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To send this letter to other elected officials, use the following version and be sure to change the titles throughout the text.

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Dear Mr. Vice-President,

September 13, 2004 is fast approaching.  On that day the federal assault weapons ban will end.  I am writing to urge you to oppose of the "Assault Weapons Ban and Law Enforcement Protection Act of 2003", (H.R. 2038 and S. 1431) and any other legislation that is part of the ongoing attempt to further erode an individual’s 2nd Amendment rights.

Proponents of the original Federal Assault Weapons Ban clearly demonstrate that they want to continue restricting other people’s 2nd Amendment rights.  These proponents attempt to demonize manufacturers who complied with original law by discontinuing manufacture of bayonet lugs, flash suppressors and high capacity magazines.  They reference the murders taking place in the Washington DC area in 2002 as a prime example, but fail to mention that the murderers illegally acquired the firearm in question or that those crimes could have just as easily been committed with a bolt or lever action hunting rifle.

These proponents go farther and now want to define and dictate what is a valid sporting use of a firearm.  For example a section of S. 1431 clearly states that because a firearm has use in a sporting event, does not make it a sporting arm.

As an example of the firearms being targeted and their valid sporting use, there are many people who compete in what is known as National Match Competition.  These competitions where established under the auspicious of the Department of Civilian Marksmanship by President Theodore Roosevelt and have continued since his presidency.  One major area of these organized sanctioned competitions is the use of the M1 Garand, M1-A and AR15 type rifles.   Competitions occur across the nation every weekend with competitors proceeding to regional, state and national events.  I ask you, is this not a valid sporting use?

Mr. Vice President, there are current laws that are capable of dealing with criminal offenses when properly enforced. The solution is not new laws that only law-abiding citizens will obey, but enforcement of current laws and active pursuit of criminals.

Mr. Vice-President, I ask that you that you help stop the continuing erosion of 2nd Amendment rights - an amendment that the founding fathers placed 2nd only to right of free speech.  I firmly believe the fact that the right to keep and bear arms is 2nd is a demonstration of the importance the founding fathers placed on this right of the people.

Thank you and God Bless The United States of America.

Respectfully,


Your Name

Thanks,

I would suggest that people send these letters to your local Congressman and Senators as well as the following leaders:

President Bush
Vice-President Cheney (aka President of the US Senate)
Attorney General John Ashcroft
Speaker of the House J.  Dennis Hastert
House Majority Leader Tom Delay
House Majority Whip Roy Blunt
Senate Majority Leader Bill First
Senate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell

All of the above mentioned leaders are Republican.

If you are willing,

Paste the text into Microsoft word;  modify the content if you feel inclined; enter in the individual names and titles of each leader expanding the document to a total of 11 letters (8 names mentioned plus your congressman and your two US Senators).

Print the letters with a date, say November 10 and then print the letters again with a date of December 10 and continue this through next August 10.  

Print 10 envelopes for each leader, place the proper letter in each envelope and then  all you have to do  is mail the same letters every month to remind them.

In 10 months, you will have sent 110 letters. Including postage, paper envelopes, you are probably talking about $50.00 out of pocket to speak out.   If  1,000 AR15.com members do this, that will be 110,000 letters.  

Glad I could post these.

   

As much as the NRA does, it will be individuals writing letters and sending emails that make an impact on congress and the senate.  Fortunately, Texas has two good senators, but unfortunately, my congress person is about as lousy as it gets -- Sheila Jackson Lee.

We can't take anything for granted or simply say let it expire.  We need to show intelligent arguments for protecting the 2nd Amendment.  If we dont, the anti-gun crowd and media will continue to distort the truth.