Rough Draft - Comments Please
Moderators: carlson1, Charles L. Cotton
Rough Draft - Comments Please
As the nation continues to grieve over the loss of life in the commonwealth of Virginia, violence around the country continues. Since the events of April 16th there have been many other instances of violence that simply are out of control. As a licensed Concealed Handgun Permit holder for the state of Texas I continue to applaud your efforts to do something about this.
The police forces around this country are simply spread too thin, and with the cost of police equipment and training on the rise, there is no easy way to have adequate police coverage everywhere a gathering of people are. To that end Texas legislature has determined that there is a growing population of individuals who have taken it upon themselves to meet the criteria set forth by the state of Texas and obtain a concealed handgun license for the protection of themselves and their families.
It is becoming increasingly evident that there is still some work to be done with the concealed carry laws of Texas in order to meet the intent of the second amendment. The most obvious comes to mind with the restriction of where a licensed concealed handgun permit holder is allowed to exercise this right i.e. on college campuses, and other educational institutions. In addition to these gaps, others exist that need to be closed. Texas law clearly spells out these “gun free safety zones� and allows a lapse of protection in these areas.
While the original restrictions may very well have been written into to law to protect the citizens of the state of Texas, it begins to set the stage for violence to occur in places where the actual intent of the law has holes. When a Concealed Handgun licensee is permitted to carry a concealed handgun “every where they go�, the protection barrier becomes stronger across the state.
In the years since the fatal shooting at Luby’s, residents of this great state have responsibly demonstrated they are capable of making wise decisions about when to use their concealed handguns for personal defense. Strengthening the verbiage in Texas Law to permit concealed handgun permit holders the right to unrestricted carry will enforce the notion that Texas continues to care about its citizens and is leading the nation again with regard to personal protection.
As your constituent, I seek your assistance in making my voice heard at the highest level. Again, I applaud you and your colleagues for all the hard work you have done to get us to this point, but we have some small hurdles left to conquer. I look forward to hearing the great news.
Sincerely,
The police forces around this country are simply spread too thin, and with the cost of police equipment and training on the rise, there is no easy way to have adequate police coverage everywhere a gathering of people are. To that end Texas legislature has determined that there is a growing population of individuals who have taken it upon themselves to meet the criteria set forth by the state of Texas and obtain a concealed handgun license for the protection of themselves and their families.
It is becoming increasingly evident that there is still some work to be done with the concealed carry laws of Texas in order to meet the intent of the second amendment. The most obvious comes to mind with the restriction of where a licensed concealed handgun permit holder is allowed to exercise this right i.e. on college campuses, and other educational institutions. In addition to these gaps, others exist that need to be closed. Texas law clearly spells out these “gun free safety zones� and allows a lapse of protection in these areas.
While the original restrictions may very well have been written into to law to protect the citizens of the state of Texas, it begins to set the stage for violence to occur in places where the actual intent of the law has holes. When a Concealed Handgun licensee is permitted to carry a concealed handgun “every where they go�, the protection barrier becomes stronger across the state.
In the years since the fatal shooting at Luby’s, residents of this great state have responsibly demonstrated they are capable of making wise decisions about when to use their concealed handguns for personal defense. Strengthening the verbiage in Texas Law to permit concealed handgun permit holders the right to unrestricted carry will enforce the notion that Texas continues to care about its citizens and is leading the nation again with regard to personal protection.
As your constituent, I seek your assistance in making my voice heard at the highest level. Again, I applaud you and your colleagues for all the hard work you have done to get us to this point, but we have some small hurdles left to conquer. I look forward to hearing the great news.
Sincerely,
Last edited by GreenGuy on Mon Apr 23, 2007 11:09 pm, edited 2 times in total.
very well written.
I'd like to send something like that as well.
I'd like to send something like that as well.
My Mustang race sim site
Two Slow Mustangs
Two Slow Mustangs
Permission to use.
Please use as you see fit. Once I finalize it, I plan on sending official letters via the U.S. Mail.
- Lumberjack98
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1281
- Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2005 4:15 pm
- Location: Katy
Since your wanting some feedback, I'll give you some.
Before I give you any feedback I'd like to say that this is a great letter!!
1. Maybe add some more examples of where you cannot carry. For instance, the state legislature just passed a law in which someone that comes to the gallery cannot carry. Or other state and federal buildings, hospitals, etc.
2. "While the original restrictions may very well have been written into to law to protect the citizens of the state of Texas, it begins to set the stage for violence to occur in places where the actual intent of the law has holes."
You may consider something like "with the intent of limiting concealed carry in traditionally safe areas."
3. As your constituent, I seek your assistance in making my voice heard at the highest level. Again, I applaud you and your colleagues for all the hard work you have done to get us to this point, but we have some small hurdles left to conquer. I look forward to hearing the great news.
Using "but" negates the positive attributes you assigned at the beginning of the sentence. I would suggest: I applaud you and your colleagues for all the hard work you have done to get us to this point. We have some hurdles left to conquer if we are to truly be able to rely on ourselves for personal defense.
Before I give you any feedback I'd like to say that this is a great letter!!
1. Maybe add some more examples of where you cannot carry. For instance, the state legislature just passed a law in which someone that comes to the gallery cannot carry. Or other state and federal buildings, hospitals, etc.
2. "While the original restrictions may very well have been written into to law to protect the citizens of the state of Texas, it begins to set the stage for violence to occur in places where the actual intent of the law has holes."
You may consider something like "with the intent of limiting concealed carry in traditionally safe areas."
3. As your constituent, I seek your assistance in making my voice heard at the highest level. Again, I applaud you and your colleagues for all the hard work you have done to get us to this point, but we have some small hurdles left to conquer. I look forward to hearing the great news.
Using "but" negates the positive attributes you assigned at the beginning of the sentence. I would suggest: I applaud you and your colleagues for all the hard work you have done to get us to this point. We have some hurdles left to conquer if we are to truly be able to rely on ourselves for personal defense.
NRA Lifetime Member
TSRA Lifetime Member
TSRA Lifetime Member
Re: Rough Draft - Comments Please
As have others, I compliment you on your letter and your effort to try to influence events in a positive and constructive manner. As you have requested, I have taken the liberty of trying to assist you in that regard. I hope you do not find my suggestions out of line as they are only suggestions made with the most constructive intent. A letter like yours can be one of the tools to do this.
Thanks again for your efforts. As you probably know, the time has passed for new bills to be introduced in this legislative session which is nearing its conclusion. Unless the Governor is conviced to call a Special Session with this topic as one of the agenda items, it will be nearly two years before this can be brought up again. This time must be spent productively to 'prime the pump' for consideration at that time.
Thanks again for your efforts. As you probably know, the time has passed for new bills to be introduced in this legislative session which is nearing its conclusion. Unless the Governor is conviced to call a Special Session with this topic as one of the agenda items, it will be nearly two years before this can be brought up again. This time must be spent productively to 'prime the pump' for consideration at that time.
GreenGuy wrote:As the nation continues to grieve over the loss of life in the Commonwealth of Virginia, violence around the country continues. Since the events of April 16th there have been many other instances of violence that demonstrate that the situation is nearly out of control. As a Concealed Handgun License holder for the State of Texas I continue to applaud your efforts to improve this situation.
The police forces around this country are simply spread too thin, and with the cost of police equipment and training on the rise, there is no easy way to have adequate police coverage where ever there is a gathering of people. To that end the Texas legislature has provided the means for a growing population of individuals to take it upon themselves to obtain a concealed handgun license for the protection of themselves and their families. This has been done by these citizens at considerable personal expense and in accordance with the criteria set forth by the Texas Legislature.
It is becoming increasingly evident that there is still some work to be done with the concealed carry laws of Texas in order to meet the intent of the Second Amendment. The most obvious comes to mind with the restriction of where a licensed concealed handgun permit holder is allowed to exercise this right i.e. on college campuses, and other educational institutions. In addition to these gaps, others exist that need to be closed. Texas law clearly spells out these “gun free safety zones� which have now become "defense free victim zones" and allows a lapse of protection in these areas.
While the original restrictions may very well have been written into to law to protect the citizens of the State of Texas, it has set the stage for violence to occur in places where the actual intent of the law has fatal flaws. When Concealed Handgun licensees are permitted to carry a concealed handgun “every where they go�, the protection barrier becomes stronger across the state.
In the years since the fatal shooting at Luby’s, residents of this great state have responsibly demonstrated they are capable of making wise decisions about when to use their concealed handguns for personal defense. Strengthening the language of Texas Law to permit concealed handgun permit holders the right to unrestricted carry will enforce the notion that Texas continues to care about its citizens and is leading the nation again with regard to personal protection and personal responsibility.
As your constituent, I seek your assistance in making my voice heard at the highest level. Again, I applaud you and your colleagues for all the hard work you have done to get us to this point, but we have some small hurdles left to conquer. I look forward to hearing the great news of progress on this vital matter.
Sincerely,
Re: Rough Draft - Comments Please
Thanks so much for taking the time to read this, and help me strengthen it. I took some of your suggestions and have revised it just a little. I have sent it off via email to all my representitives, and the SA Express News, and now working on a print versin to mail to them as well.CWOOD wrote:As have others, I compliment you on your letter and your effort to try to influence events in a positive and constructive manner. As you have requested, I have taken the liberty of trying to assist you in that regard. I hope you do not find my suggestions out of line as they are only suggestions made with the most constructive intent. A letter like yours can be one of the tools to do this.
Thanks again for your efforts. As you probably know, the time has passed for new bills to be introduced in this legislative session which is nearing its conclusion. Unless the Governor is conviced to call a Special Session with this topic as one of the agenda items, it will be nearly two years before this can be brought up again. This time must be spent productively to 'prime the pump' for consideration at that time.
GreenGuy wrote:As the nation continues to grieve over the loss of life in the Commonwealth of Virginia, violence around the country continues. Since the events of April 16th there have been many other instances of violence that demonstrate that the situation is nearly out of control. As a Concealed Handgun License holder for the State of Texas I continue to applaud your efforts to improve this situation.
The police forces around this country are simply spread too thin, and with the cost of police equipment and training on the rise, there is no easy way to have adequate police coverage where ever there is a gathering of people. To that end the Texas legislature has provided the means for a growing population of individuals to take it upon themselves to obtain a concealed handgun license for the protection of themselves and their families. This has been done by these citizens at considerable personal expense and in accordance with the criteria set forth by the Texas Legislature.
It is becoming increasingly evident that there is still some work to be done with the concealed carry laws of Texas in order to meet the intent of the Second Amendment. The most obvious comes to mind with the restriction of where a licensed concealed handgun permit holder is allowed to exercise this right i.e. on college campuses, and other educational institutions. In addition to these gaps, others exist that need to be closed. Texas law clearly spells out these “gun free safety zones� which have now become "defense free victim zones" and allows a lapse of protection in these areas.
While the original restrictions may very well have been written into to law to protect the citizens of the State of Texas, it has set the stage for violence to occur in places where the actual intent of the law has fatal flaws. When Concealed Handgun licensees are permitted to carry a concealed handgun “every where they go�, the protection barrier becomes stronger across the state.
In the years since the fatal shooting at Luby’s, residents of this great state have responsibly demonstrated they are capable of making wise decisions about when to use their concealed handguns for personal defense. Strengthening the language of Texas Law to permit concealed handgun permit holders the right to unrestricted carry will enforce the notion that Texas continues to care about its citizens and is leading the nation again with regard to personal protection and personal responsibility.
As your constituent, I seek your assistance in making my voice heard at the highest level. Again, I applaud you and your colleagues for all the hard work you have done to get us to this point, but we have some small hurdles left to conquer. I look forward to hearing the great news of progress on this vital matter.
Sincerely,
Thanks again for the feedback!
Response from REP. Cuellar
Dear Mr. Greenguy:
Thank you for contacting my office about Second Amendment issues. I understand and appreciate your point of view on this topic, and I value this opportunity to respond to you.
I have always supported the Second Amendment right of citizens to bear arms in a safe and responsible manner. Gun ownership is part of our nation's heritage. While I support reasonable gun laws designed to protect public safety, gun owners and dealers should never be singled out for politically motivated attacks. In order to preserve the rights of gun owners, I have worked closely with and been endorsed by organizations such as the National Rifle Association. As the legislative year continues, you can be sure that I will keep your views on this issue in mind, and that I will act to create laws that are consistent with our basic Constitutional rights.
Thank you again for allowing my office to assist you. For more information on my views, legislation and media activity, please visit my Congressional website at <a href="http://www.house.gov/cuellar">www.house.gov/cuellar</a>. As always, if I or my staff can be of further assistance to you, please feel free to call upon me.
Sincerely,
Henry Cuellar
U.S. Congressman
28th District of Texas
HRC:jm
Thank you for contacting my office about Second Amendment issues. I understand and appreciate your point of view on this topic, and I value this opportunity to respond to you.
I have always supported the Second Amendment right of citizens to bear arms in a safe and responsible manner. Gun ownership is part of our nation's heritage. While I support reasonable gun laws designed to protect public safety, gun owners and dealers should never be singled out for politically motivated attacks. In order to preserve the rights of gun owners, I have worked closely with and been endorsed by organizations such as the National Rifle Association. As the legislative year continues, you can be sure that I will keep your views on this issue in mind, and that I will act to create laws that are consistent with our basic Constitutional rights.
Thank you again for allowing my office to assist you. For more information on my views, legislation and media activity, please visit my Congressional website at <a href="http://www.house.gov/cuellar">www.house.gov/cuellar</a>. As always, if I or my staff can be of further assistance to you, please feel free to call upon me.
Sincerely,
Henry Cuellar
U.S. Congressman
28th District of Texas
HRC:jm
Final Draft
So what does the final draft look like if you do not mind me asking.