I am the President of the newly formed Greater Danbury Brady Campaign Chapter. We define ourselves as “A group of concerned citizens with a common goal of reducing Gun Violence in America”. We reside 15 minutes from Newtown, Conecticut. We have children who were traumatized by the lock-down they experienced on December 14th, 2012. We know Sandy Hook victims and we know their parents. We are single issue voters, we have friends, and we will turn out to vote. Additionally, we no longer shop at Walmart or any other large retailer that sells guns and ammo. Please pass legislation that: 1. Strengthens our assault weapons ban with a focus on improving current list and strengthening functionality features; apply “one military feature” test to definition of assault weapons. Bans possession and sale with no grandfathering. 2. Bans large capacity ammunition magazines of more than 7 rounds. No grandfathering. 3. Requires universal background checks on ALL sales and transfers, including long guns. 4. Requires registration of handguns with annual renewal. Require annual fee and annual background check for all guns owned; stipulation that they are still in the possession of original purchaser or transferee; explanation for any gun still not being in their possession. Require safety inspection every three years. Charge fee on initial registration and renewal. 5. Make gun owners liable for negligent storage if any person gains access to firearms and injures himself or another person or causes damage to property. The violation would be a Class D felony 6. Requires permit/license to purchase and carry all guns, including long guns, and to purchase ammunition 7. Prohibits sales of guns or ammunition via internet to CT residents. 8. Restricts handgun sales to one gun/month.

The way we elect the President is broken. Five of our 46 Presidents have won the Electoral College without winning the nation-wide vote aka divergent election (in 2016, 2000, 1888, 1876, and 1824). Not every vote is equal across the country. Here in PA, we have 20 Electors representing nearly 13 million residents; that's over 600,000 PA residents per Elector. In Wyoming, they have 3 Electors representing under 600,000 residents or less than 200,000 WY residents per Elector. That means it takes more than 3 PA residents to equal the voting power of 1 WY resident. Shouldn't every American vote be equal? Under National Popular Vote, every vote is equal and every vote counts no matter where you live or what political party you endorse. US voter turnout numbers are some of the lowest in the world. It's not a surprise since 48 states use a winner-take-all system. If you are a Republican living in California, why bother voting. Same is true for a Democrat living in Texas. Under NPV, every vote counts! This can only improve voter turnout. In 2020, all of the 212 general-election campaign events were in just 17 states, meaning that 33 states and the District of Columbia did not receive any events at all. Nebraska, Virginia, and Indiana hosted one event each. Pennsylvania received 47 general-election campaign events -- the most of any state and 22% of the total. The Presidency is the only office that is designed to represent all Americans. Yet, it routinely becomes the office of the swing states, not the country as a whole. NPVIC would force candidates to campaign nationally, addressing the needs of every American. Bottom-line, the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact would guarantee the Presidency to the candidate who receives the most votes nationwide. NPVIC would ensure that every vote, in every state, will matter in every Presidential election.

For us to respect their work, our Representatives in Congress need to know that they should not be allowed to pass laws that are not applicable to them as much as they are to us. This is basic common sense.

The current moratorium on oil and gas exploration, drilling and extraction within San Miguel County will expire on February 13, 2013 (UPDATE: The vote was pushed to March 12). The moratorium must be extended until the fall of 2014. In 2011 Congress has tasked the EPA to conduct a study of the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") on drinking water resources. This study is scheduled to be completed and available during the first half of 2014. Given the drought conditions in San Miguel County and New Mexico in general and the potential risks from fracking to our limited sources of fresh water that are vital for residential and agricultural use, the current moratorium on oil and gas exploration, drilling and extraction within San Miguel County must be extended until the fall of 2014.

Change operations in the Veteran's Association so they can and will keep their records up to date on Veterans. My husband is going through an issue with the VA now on disability compensation that has been going on for over a year. this is not the first time they have targeted him for mistakes that they have made.

After March 1, 2013, if Congress and the President fail to reach a budget agreement, sequestration will take affect. Federal agencies will see their operating budgets slashed between 6-13%, thus forcing them to furlough tens of thousands of dedicated federal employees. Furthermore, these cuts will further damage a fragile economy which will negatively impact all hard-working Americans. Federal employees deserve better. Tell Republican lawmakers to pass a budget that prevents sequestration and puts Americans back to work.

As the daughter and granddaughter of small business gun owners, I grew up with handguns and rifles and a healthy respect for their potential danger. We were not even allowed as children to point a stick at another person, much less a weapon. For our children's sake, we must be concerned about the proliferation of assault weapons and semi-automatics and gun violence in our society. It is time to ban these types of guns and require strict background checks and regulation of any gun ownerships. Our right to bear arms should not forfeit our public trust and safety.

Oregon Department of Agriculture has approved 2,500 acres of GMO canola in the Willamette Valley. Many Oregonian are upset and want their voice to be heard on the subject. That is why I created this petition, as simple reminder for all our elected officials that Oregonians want to ban GMOs.

Do you know that Vermont has lost more than a hundred children and youths since 1987 due to gun-related accidental shootings or suicide? These losses might have been prevented if the guns they had access to had been locked away or safely stored by adult gun owners. Under current Vermont law, if a child gains access to a firearm that has been left unsecured carelessly by its owner, and then uses that firearm to injure another person or him/herself, the owner is NOT in any way held responsible. The proposed legislation H.243 aims to encourage safe storage of firearms in homes where children are present or may visit. A firearm owner in such a circumstance could be held responsible and charged with negligence resulting in harm. Penalties for reckless storage of a gun in these cases could include a fine or imprisonment, with provisional compassion being extended to the owner if the individual harmed with the weapon was his/her own family member. Legislation like H.243 exist in 28 states in the United States, and have saved many children and youths’ lives. We need to make Vermont the 29th state to better protect our own children.

I have several friends & one family member who have been arrested one or more times simply for the petty possession of marijuana. This harmless drug is putting the wrong citizens in jail for all the wrong reasons.

The right for same sex marriage.

The programs like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Food Stamps, etc. helps those of us especially when we are in need. We cannot ignore the elderly, all of us at one point will age and in need of these programs, too. Food stamps are great to have available in case their is a need, everyone participates into putting money into these programs in case we ever need some help. I personally will be retiring this year, and look forward to getting funds that I put into it for the years I worked...I also want to live the remainder of my retired years without having to worry how I am going to pay my bills.