Dear Mr. XXX:

Thank you for taking the time to contact me about the tragic shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. I appreciate hearing from you about this issue.

As you know, on December 14, 2012, an individual in Newtown, Connecticut forced his way into Sandy Hook Elementary School and opened fire on teachers and staff in the building. In total, the perpetrator murdered 20 students between the ages of six and seven years old, as well as six adults, many of whom heroically sought to stop the shooter and save the lives of children. Like many Americans, I was deeply affected by the scope and brutality of this act. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.

The motives that led to this senseless massacre will likely never fully be comprehended. However, I believe that all public officials have a responsibility to work to prevent such an event from occurring again. This incident reflects a complex problem that requires a comprehensive strategy, including funding for law enforcement officers and the mental health care system. Too many individuals with mental illness are not receiving the services they need and tragically, sometimes a small number of these individuals turn violent. I have supported access to affordable and accessible mental health services for all Americans and I will continue to review proposed solutions to improve our mental health system.

As you may know, I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment. Pennsylvania has a fine hunting and sporting tradition, and I will defend the right to bear arms as it is enshrined in our Constitution. However, I also believe that the attack at Sandy Hook Elementary School highlights very serious dangers posed to public safety by the misuse of certain weapons and technology originally developed for warfare. According to reports, the shooter was able to kill many children and adults very quickly because he possessed a military-style semiautomatic weapon. He also allegedly used magazines containing up to 30 rounds of ammunition and carried hundreds of rounds more. After much reflection and careful study of the issue, I have decided to support a federal assault weapons ban as well as legislation restricting high capacity clips. In light of what occurred at Sandy Hook, these are two measures that will lessen the chances that this will happen again soon.

Our Nation has already begun a critical dialogue as we examine what steps must be taken to prevent this type of tragedy in the future. On December 19, 2012, President Obama announced the formation of an inter-agency task initiative, led by Vice President Biden, to study these issues and recommend possible actions. I look forward to reviewing these proposals, as well to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to address this complex issue.

Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future about this or any other matter of importance to you.

For more information on this or other issues, I encourage you to visit my website, casey.senate.gov. I hope you will find this online office a comprehensive resource to stay up-to-date on my work in Washington, request assistance from my office or share with me your thoughts on the issues that matter most to you and to Pennsylvania.

Sincerely,
Bob Casey
United States Senator

I returned his response with the following:

Thank you for your response to my e-mail.
I was very glad to be reassured by you, prior to your election, that you fully supported the Second Amendment. In your response to my e-mail however you state: "I have decided to support a federal assault weapons ban as well as legislation restricting high capacity clips." While I am revolted by the murderous acts of Adam Lanza, I do not believe that it is proper to ban these so called assault weapons to the responsible owners of such firearms. 99.99% of the owners of these firearms are law abiding citizens whom have no wish to cause harm to others. Those owners are using the firearms in a responsible manner and exercising their right to own firearms as guaranteed by the Second Amendment.
I respectively ask that you reconsider your decision to support any such ban on these firearms. Be assured that I will monitor all votes taken on these matters and any vote for a ban will be seen by me as an attack on my rights. My future voting will reflect my displeasure.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

BB, why don't you take the opportunity to ask why he's so sure these assault weapons have been used in this killing? What proof does he have to be sure he took the right story to take the decission to vote for this ban?
Or am I alone to think that the story on these killings is rewriten to please a political goal?

Very good points Aloys.

There is quite a bit of information out there that points strongly to not only a cover up by the authorities, but also a political agenda supported by the media.

There are a lot of things I would like to include, but short to the point messages are said to get to gain the most attention. Given the time I'd love to give him a history lesson on just why the 2nd amendment was included. He seems to think it was to guarantee hunters rights. However I believe his party line made up his mind for him so anything I say is sure to be lost on him. I just wanted to be able to say I spoke up and made my opinion known to him and gave him the chance to prove that he is the strong 2nd amendment supporter he has claimed to be. Knowing his parties traditional voting record on these matters is what kept me from supporting him in the election.

Damn it!! How many times must we explain to politcos that the Second Amenment has nothing to do with hunting. In fact the 2nd doesn't even mention hunting...

I love the fact that he says he has decided to support assault rifle and high cap magazine bans and then later says he's looking forward to reviewing the proposals by Biden's "inter-agency task initiative". Why bother if he's already made up his mind. Or had it made up for him.

slimey hua... you are right he has his mind made up.

He doesn't even know the difference between a magazine and a clip, but feels he has enough knowledge to ban them anyway.
"After much reflection and careful study of the issue, I have decided to support a federal assault weapons ban as well as legislation restricting high capacity clips."

I'm still looking for a list of names for this Biden panel. Is there even one single pro-gun person on it?

Mike,
I did a search and didn't come up with anyone's name other than Biden. Funny that!

A Democrat & a lawyer.

No surprise he sees legislation as the panacea for all ills.

Quote::

Be assured that I will monitor all votes taken on these matters and any vote for a ban will be seen by me as an attack on my rights. My future voting will reflect my displeasure.

That's the only thing worrying them; the chance of being banished from the trough.

Another response...received this from a mate in NY.

Responding to your message

Dear Mr. ***,

Thank you for contacting me to share your thoughts on the tragic events in Newtown, Connecticut and your views on gun control.

On December 14, 2012, 20 innocent children and six adults lost their lives in one of the worst, most tragic shootings to ever occur in the United States. As a parent of three daughters, this was the ultimate nightmare. Like the Virginia Tech and Columbine shootings, this tragedy unfolded in what was once regarded as a safe haven free of crime and violence: a school.

I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment constitutional right of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms. I own firearms and I have an "A" rating from the National Rifle Association. However, I also recognize that, like with many of our constitutional rights, our Second Amendment rights are not without limits. It is unfortunate that a tragedy of this magnitude is what is needed to prompt action, but we need to have a serious discussion on how to best avoid these kinds of mass shootings in the future. The status quo is not acceptable.

I believe our discussion should cover many issues. We can start by improving the existing criminal background check system. Currently, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) is woefully incomplete, with many states failing to submit available records on persons who may be disqualified from purchasing or possessing firearms. With a more complete background check system, we can keep firearms out of the hands of those who have been deemed unfit to possess them.

In addition, we can take common sense measures such as passing the CAMPUS Safety Act (S. 3682), which I introduced last year. That bill would establish a national center for campus public safety within the Department of Justice to serve as a resource center and assist schools and universities in developing campus safety plans and threat assessment tools. We also need to look at changes to our mental health system so we can provide help to those with dangerous mental illnesses before it is too late. There will not be a single solution, but all of these issues and others need to be part of the conversation and I urge you to continue to express your views as we move forward.

Again, thank you for contacting me. For further information or to sign up for my newsletter please visit my website at warner.senate.gov.

Sincerely,
MARK R. WARNER
United States Senator

a much better response IMHO.

"I also recognize that, like with many of our constitutional rights, our Second Amendment rights are not without limits."

Overall a much better response, but this line troubles me. It's like he's leaving himself an out.

"Shall NOT be infringed".....