Email Responses - Let's see them

[Mr H]

I don't think they read my email:





Dear Mr. VW:

Thank you for contacting me about the recent events in Egypt. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.

 

[2AHokie]

Here's my only response so far.

I'm unfamiliar with the COPS and LLEBG programs she mentions.

Dear <redacted>:

Thanks for keeping in touch with me. It's nice to hear from you.

I support the Second Amendment rights of gun owners. I also support several common sense measures to protect police and the public from becoming victims of gun violence. Most recently, I cosponsored the TRACE Act (S. 469), which would require ballistic fingerprinting of all firearms manufactured in the United States. I believe that it's important for law enforcement to be protected from dangerous weapons on the streets, and have every tool available to solve crimes.

I have also been a strong supporter of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) and the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) programs. These programs have been essential in the effort to reduce crime and gun violence in our neighborhoods by providing funding for the personnel and technology to fight crime. COPS also funds programs that help educate our youth about crime and gun violence.

I appreciate learning your views on gun control. Please do not hesitate to contact me with your concerns on other federal issues.

Again, thanks for contacting me. Please let me know if I can be of help to you in the future.

Sincerely,
Barbara A. Mikulski
United States Senator

 

[Mr H]

Here's my only response so far.

I'm unfamiliar with the COPS and LLEGB programs she mentions.

AFAIK, it's Troll-speak for putting federal money into local politicians' control.

 

[highwayheat]

From my other thread,

Dear metalman3006,

Thank you for contacting me about the recent Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut and your concern about the potential erosion of our 2nd Amendment rights. As an educator and father of five, two of whom are still in school, the horror that took place on the morning of Friday, December 14, 2012 is unfathomable. My deepest thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the 27 victims and the Newtown community.



We all must work together to prevent these types of tragedies. I believe we have to start by addressing the culture of violence that has consumed our country. Our news media, movies, television shows, and video games display endless violent images that glorify and inspire this behavior. We have to stop sensationalizing these murderers. According to KidsHealth, the average child spends 28 hours a week watching television and it is estimated that by the time this child leaves elementary school, he or she will have witnessed 8,000 murders and over 100,000 other acts of violence (and this does not include violent video games). According to The Parents Television Council, by the time children reach the age of 18, they have seen more than 40,000 murders and 200,000 acts of violence. I believe this is a major contribution to the problem.



As a physician, I also feel mental health care reform needs to be a part of the discussion. It is important to remember that those with mental illnesses rarely commit acts of violence and this low incidence must be put into perspective. However, we need to make sure children and young adults with mental illness are diagnosed and have access to proper therapy in order to help them cope with their condition. Studies show that more than 10% of children in the United States may benefit from some sort of mental health treatment, but most do not receive help. There is a shortage of resources and services available to serve those that need mental health care support. Furthermore, where these resources exist, their implementation could be improved and used more effectively.



Like you, I agree that we must enforce to the fullest extent possible our current gun control laws that protect people from danger, like preventing gun ownership by criminals or those suffering from a severe psychological disorder that could result in a violent act. Currently, over 4,450 crimes related to guns exist on the federal law books, and tens of thousands have been proposed in the Federal Register. According to the Brady Campaign, Connecticut has the 5th toughest gun laws in the country including an assault weapons ban. Norway, a nation with some of the toughest gun laws in the world, not too long ago had to deal with a mass murderer killing over 80 people, most of whom were children. Illegal use of a firearm, as was the case with the Sandy Hook shooter, should always be prosecuted to the fullest extent.



I believe that by addressing our country's increasingly worrisome culture of violence, and implementing strategies to generally improve our mental health system, we can lessen the occurrence of these tragedies by targeting the root causes of mass murders. I am grateful for your comments, and you may rest assured that I will keep your views in mind as legislation on this issue is discussed. I hope that you will feel free to contact me on any issue of importance to you or your family in the future.






Sincerely,

Andy Harris, M.D.
Member of Congress
harris.house.gov

I just received the same rsponse word for word addressed to me with todays date. A more personal response would have been nice, but at least I received a response in return from Rep. Harris I'm still waiting on Sen. Cardin, Sen. Mikulski, state Sen. Jacobs, and Del Rudolph.

 

[Library Guy]

A postive response from Steve Schuh


Thank you for contacting me regarding gun control legislation. I share your same concerns.

Like all Americans, I am deeply saddened by the killings in Newtown by a deranged individual. However, I do not believe the solution is to deprive responsible, law-abiding citizens of their Second Amendment rights. The solution is to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill.

I am strongly in favor of our natural right to protect our properties and our families. I therefore support "the rights of the people to keep and bear Arms." I will continue to oppose further encroachment on those rights and seek to roll back laws that unnecessarily infringe on the rights of the law-abiding citizen.

If your schedule allows, I would sincerely appreciate your considering submitting testimony or testifying in opposition of any such legislation that infringes upon our 2nd Amendment rights in the upcoming Legislative Session.

Thank you again for your email.

Best,
Steve

The Honorable Steve Schuh
Maryland House of Delegates
6 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401

 

[rambling_one]

My response from Muse:

Senator C. Anthony Muse (anthony.muse@senate.state.md.us)
The recipient's mailbox is full and can't accept messages now. Please try resending this message later, or contact the recipient directly.

 

[jac43k]

My only response.

Dear Mr. Cook:

Thank you for your letter regarding increased gun restrictions in Maryland. I appreciate your taking the time to share your thoughts and concerns.

I sincerely believe that we must exercise a sense of urgency to address the complex issue of gun violence in our communities. Unfortunately, there is no one public policy that can serve as a solution. Any real impact on reducing gun violence will require a diverse set of policies ranging from enhanced gun safety initiatives, lessened access to firearms by criminals and mentally ill individuals, and expanded access to mental health services.

With regard to enhancing gun safety, I will be introducing legislation that will establish new criteria to qualify for a concealed firearm carry permit in Maryland. Gun advocacy groups including National Rifle Association (NRA) have repeatedly backed additional checks to qualify people for a permit to carry a concealed weapon. I have incorporated a number of these common sense qualifying checks in the legislation. With collaborative discourse and informed debate, I sincerely believe that we can develop appropriate policies that enhance gun safety in our communities while fully respecting the rights conferred in the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

The Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy has drawn attention to the role of guns in our society; however, we must remember that gun violence occurs daily in Maryland. Our State must find ways to curb the deadly threat that gun misuse poses to our children and communities.

Again, thank you for your letter regarding gun restrictions. Feel free to contact my office with any further questions.

Sincerely,


Bill Ferguson
District 46

 

[rambling_one]

Delegate Michael H. Weir (michael.weir@house.state.md.us)
The recipient's mailbox is full and can't accept messages now. Please try resending this message later, or contact the recipient directly.

 

[rambling_one]

<justin.ross@house.state.md.us>: host mlis.state.md.us[167.102.242.130] said:
550 5.1.1 Recipient address rejected: User unknown (in reply to RCPT TO
command)

 

[Mr H]

Delegate Michael H. Weir (michael.weir@house.state.md.us)
The recipient's mailbox is full and can't accept messages now. Please try resending this message later, or contact the recipient directly.

hmmm...

Does getting these from multiple reps constitute a "workaround", and if so how many???

 

[rambling_one]

hmmm...

Does getting these from multiple reps constitute a "workaround", and if so how many???

No idea, but only one response out of thirteen had anything to say.

Twelve thanked me for contacting the office, told me they were out of session, or asked for my address.

Senator Ferguson's response was identical to jac43k's above.

 

[rambling_one]

Thank you for contacting my office regarding the possibility of legislation regarding increased gun control and school safety. I know that the 2013 General Assembly Session will have a great deal of legislation regarding these issues on the agenda. I expect these bills will be heard by the House Judiciary Committee. You will be able to review all legislation at the General Assembly website: http://mgaleg.maryland.gov.

Anne Arundel County currently has a Police Officer in every High School; these Officers actually have an office in the building, roam the halls, and have lunch with the students. Also, you cannot enter a school building in Anne Arundel without being "buzzed" in. It has been my experience that the secretaries that control the doors are very cautious. That is not too say that more cannot be done. I know that every school system is reviewing their procedures.

The 2013 General Assembly Session will begin on January 9, 2013, I will certainly include your ideas and concerns in my decision making process.

Please continue to stay in touch. My contact information is: Pamela.beidle@house.state.md.us or (410)841-3370.

Best regards,

Pamela G. Beidle
Delegate, District 32
(410)841-3370
Environmental Matters Committee
Subcommittees:
Environment
Housing and Real Property

 

[Mr H]

I got that near-non-answer as well...

Thought about dropping by her office here in town to say HI!

 

[rambling_one]

Dear [rambling_one]

Thank you for sharing your concerns with me about possible new gun regulations that may be debated during the next Maryland Session. You and I are in agreement about the importance of maintaining 2nd Amendment rights in a time when understandable, legitimate sorrow and concern about the atrocity in New Town is being used by some as an opportunity to attack this important, Constitutional right.

During my first two years as a State Delegate I have been a strong supporter of the right to keep and bear arms responsibly. In that time I have co-sponsored legislation protecting legal gun owners rights, and in addition also co-sponsored legislation supporting concealed carry laws and state reciprocity involving the transport of firearms though Maryland.

I expect that this will be a tough legislative season in Maryland for gun owners in the wake of the horrific shootings, but I will continue to stand up for gun rights of legal owner’s and the protection of the Second Amendment. Attacking lawful gun ownership sends a troubling signal that the government not trusts its citizens and believes they should have fewer rights during dangerous periods. Ultimately, we need to recognize that we need a change to a culture of responsibility (which includes parents and close friends of these criminals) and a new vigilance in the area of mental health. Those are two areas that I plan to work on more closely in the upcoming Session and beyond.

Again, thank you for contacting me and sharing this information and for your support. Please feel free to contact me anytime at Justin.Ready@house.state.md.us or 410-841-3070. I look forward to hearing from you anytime.

Sincerely,

Justin Ready
Member, House of Delegates

 

[rambling_one]

James Malone has asked for my address. Does anyone know his position on firearms?

 

[Mr H]

James Malone has asked for my address. Does anyone know his position on firearms?

Here's his Project VoteSmart page

http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/6183/james-malone-jr

Voting Record

http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/6183/james-malone-jr

In short, a hard-left "anti"

 

[Streetgang]

Surprisingly here is the answer I got from Senator Dyson and Representative Bohanon:

 

[rambling_one]

Senator Stone will not support any additional gun legislation. Thank you for your email on this very important issue. JoAnne, Legislative Assistant

 

[rambling_one]

This was my comment to the reps [sorry teratos about the medication reference]:

As the Nation mourns the loss of innocent life there have been multiple affronts on honest gun owners, up to and including, the publication in New York of gun owner addresses and a call to murder NRA members.

While extreme, other knee jerk have surfaced with little concern for or reflection on how such proposals will impact honest folks.

In the Sandy Hook episode, there was ample evidence that the shooter was troubled and most likely on powerful medications. There was a tight "assault weapon" ban in place, and yet the murderer broke forty-one laws before he was neutralized.

Any law that places a burden on lawful gun owners without a hint of proof that it will stop the carnage is not acceptable.

Gun owners will not accept the blame for actions caused by deranged people.

 

[Mr H]

Senator Stone will not support any additional gun legislation. Thank you for your email on this very important issue. JoAnne, Legislative Assistant

Well, THAT means about half nothing.