There have recently been a few shootings in well
populated areas. These shootings have given rise to activists trying to destroy
the constitution and demonize law abiding citizens. They want to strip the
rights of innocent people that have followed the law.
Recently, I ran across a form letter with links to send
it to Oregon lawmakers. Of course, now I can't find the link. I decided to send
it to all of them.
The letter reads:
“Subject: Gun free schools? How about a gun free capitol?
Dear XXXXX,
Since the murders in Sandy Hook there has been a rush to
enact new restrictions on law abiding gun owners. When Representative Dennis
Richardson suggested allowing school employees (who we trust with our children)
to have the tools to protect those children, he was ridiculed. One legislator
called his plan "goofy," another said he did not think "adding
guns to the equation" was the answer. If you agree with that assessment
can you tell me when you plan to introduce legislation to remove the many armed
men who protect you at the Capitol? Or are politicians more important than
children? I look forward to your response. “
The responses started coming in rapidly. Interns must
have gotten their new laptops and phones recently. Below are the responses I
have received so far. Most I am happy to read, a few are from elected officials
that need to be removed from office for failure to defend the constitution. I'll post more as they come in.
·
Thank you for your email and thoughts regarding
possible upcoming gun legislation. I oppose any further restriction on
possession of firearms and actually oppose many of those already in place, both
at the State and Federal levels.
Best regards,
Sen. Doug Whitsett
·
Are you in my District? If you are then you should know we’ve had law
enforcement officers in many of our District’s schools exactly like Rep
Richardson suggested. Some of those
funded by federal grants. The Academy’s
position is an active shooter will either flee or commit suicide upon sighting
the first armed opposition. If that
means arming a teacher or other administrator if the District or LEA cannot
afford an officer in the school then so be it.
Many States are moving this direction.
Sen. Brian J. Boquist
·
Nick, I
support our Second Amendments rights.
Rep. Bill Kennemer
·
Good Nick. Thank you for taking the time to
write Rep. Roblan such a thoughtful email in response to the recent massacre of
26 people in a Connecticut school and responses relating to Rep. Richardson’s
suggestions to said massacre.
Rep. Roblan agrees that Sandy
Hook has led to a rush of judgment on both sides. In recent days, the facts have revealed that
the Connecticut shooter had no prior criminal record, was an honor student who
stole the guns from a collector – his mother and was medicating with
antipsychotic drug for his severe mental psychosis. This is also true with regards to the
shooters of the last several high profile shootings around the country.
In the spirit of Bipartisanship
– a model of co-governance that marked our historical last two sessions
(Roblan/Hanna) - Senate-elect Roblan hopes to work closely with Rep. Richardson
to find that nexus where legislators on both sides of the aisle can work
together to find sensible solutions to keep our communities safe.
As for the questions you raised
below, they are predicated on agreeing with an assessment that is related
solely to stricter gun laws, but avoid the tougher questions relating to the
mental health system and improved access to drug treatment programs.
Again Nick, thank you for your
thoughtful email. I will print a copy
for Rep. Roblan’s review. I’m sure you
understand that the issue of gun
violence/regulation is a complex one, not easily resolved via email.
Rosie Shatkin
Legislative Policy Advisor
Sen. Elect Arne Roblan SD 5
(Coos, Newport, Tillamook)
·
Thank you for your email.
I am opposed to any new
restrictions on law abiding gun owners.
As both a retired cop w/ 31 years in law enforcement and a Democrat, I
frequently remind my legislative colleagues that law abiding gun owners pose no
threat to public safety. I have opposed,
and will continue to oppose, efforts to ban CHL holders from K-12 and higher
educational campus, so called "assault weapon" bans, and any other
unecessary restrictions on Oregonians' 2nd Amendment rights.
Thanks,
Rep. Jeff Barker
·
Thank you for taking the time to write Rep.
Hanna with your concerns. Much of the
conversation around gun laws, post Sandy Hook, is among people who have never
learned how to safely and properly handle a gun, let alone shoot one. It’s unfortunate that so many of these folks
rush to conclude that guns must be banned or otherwise restricted in order to
achieve a safe environment for the public.
That’s akin to banning forks because of the obesity epidemic.
Rep. Hanna is both a
responsible gun owner and an active support of our Constitutional rights to
bear arms. He does not plan to introduce
or support any legislation that would restrict these rights for law-abiding
citizens.
Sincerely,
Ruth Miles, Legislative Assistant
Representative Bruce Hanna, 7th
District
·
I have not and will not support any legislation
that further erodes our God given, and Constitutionally guaranteed rights and
freedoms.
I will be working with Rep.
Richardson during the coming months to present a balanced, common sense
approach to school safety. I, like Rep.
Richardson believe every Oregon school has employees who are ex-police and ex-military
that already have some training and would volunteer for regular/continued
training to be a school protector. Or, possibly retired police officers that
would like to do some volunteer work or work part time for a small amount of
money to patrol a school. We believe
these are possible options for consideration.
Additionally, we realize that we need to consider other factors like
mental health, and access to weapons by mentally unstable people.
I recently talked to the chief
law enforcement officer in one community that is developing a plan with
business people and employees within a two block area of the local school to be
trained and act as school protectors. We
can figure out how to keep our kids safer at school, and do it safely and cost
effectively without banning guns and stripping law abiding citizens of their
Constitutional rights.
The Clackamas Town Center
incident shows the power of one trained citizen with a CHL. Certainly, any plan needs to be well thought
out but I believe we can develop a plan that allows local school districts and
communities to keep their kids safe without the foolish thinking of disarming
citizens.
Sincerely,
Rep. John Huffman
·
Whoa!!
Perhaps a little research would prove beneficial before you fire off a
letter like this-do your homework. Not only do I support Rep Richardson I fully
and whole heartedly agree with his Concept.
Once you've done a little
research you will likely find that I am a lifetime member of the NRA, co
chairman of the oregon sportsman caucus and serve on the executive council for
the National Legislative sportsman caucus.
Needless to say I fully support
the second amendment and will defend it with my life-so what exactly was your
concern.
Rep. Esquivel
·
Thanks for writing regarding gun violence at
Sandy Hook Elementary School. It is a tragic loss. I agree that we must be
careful not to overreact and pass restrictive laws that will not solve the
problem. I have read that Maricopa County in Arizona has enlisted volunteer
deputes to guard schools as unpaid “posse” members. I have also heard of a
school district in Texas that armed and trained teachers who voluntarily offer
to guard their schools. These are promising moves, I believe. As a gun owner, I
too value my Second Amendment rights and I will be careful to guard them.
Regards,
Sen. Betsy Close
·
Thank you for your email about gun free
schools. I believe that individuals should
have the right to purchase certain types of firearms for self defense. I also believe that carry concealed permits
should be an option for some people.
However, I do not agree that allowing school employees to bring
concealed weapons to school is an effective deterrent against school
shootings.
The biggest problem I have with
this plan has to do with how teachers store their firearms once they bring them
to school. If teachers choose to lock up
their firearms in order to keep them away from their students, these weapons
lose much of their value as a tool for protection. However, if teachers do not keep their
weapons under lock and key, they may be an effective deterrent but there is a
danger that students will be able to access them.
Once again, thank you for your
email. Though we may disagree on this
issue, please do not hesitate to contact me again with your ideas or concerns.
My best,
Elizabeth
Sen. Elizabeth Steiner Hayward
MD
