To: Vice President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump
Gun Owners for Reasonable Gun Laws
We as gun owners believe it is possible to construct gun laws that uphold the 2nd Amendment, yet promote safe communities and personal responsibility. We maintain that the right to bear arms is strengthened, not weakened, when complemented with reasonable laws that limit who can legally possess firearms, and what types of guns and ammunition can be purchased. We recognize that sensible gun laws have no negative effects on the millions of Americans who legally -possess firearms for such purposes as hunting, target shooting, and personal protection.
In order to ensure that only responsible individuals possess guns, we advocate for laws that require thorough background checks for all who seek to purchase firearms. We believe that civilians should not own semiautomatic, military-style assault weapons. Such weapons are designed to inflict mass casualties, which is not compatible with sensible gun ownership. Thus we support the reinstatement of the assault weapons ban that expired in 2004.
We also support safety measures limiting the number of rounds a magazine can hold and how ammunition is bought. We endorse the H.R. 308 Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device Act, introduced by Rep. McCarthy of NY. This act would permanently prohibit for civilian use the transfer, possession, or import of high-capacity ammunition feeding devices manufactured after the date of enactment of the bill. These feeding devices are defined as a magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device that has the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds.
While safer gun laws cannot guarantee that tragedies such as the December 14, 2012 shooting in Newtown, CT will not occur in the future, it is our responsibility as gun owners to support laws, consistent with the 2nd Amendment, that may prevent such senseless loss of life. We are asking gun owners, organizations that support gun use, and lawmakers to act responsibly and support safer gun laws.
In order to ensure that only responsible individuals possess guns, we advocate for laws that require thorough background checks for all who seek to purchase firearms. We believe that civilians should not own semiautomatic, military-style assault weapons. Such weapons are designed to inflict mass casualties, which is not compatible with sensible gun ownership. Thus we support the reinstatement of the assault weapons ban that expired in 2004.
We also support safety measures limiting the number of rounds a magazine can hold and how ammunition is bought. We endorse the H.R. 308 Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device Act, introduced by Rep. McCarthy of NY. This act would permanently prohibit for civilian use the transfer, possession, or import of high-capacity ammunition feeding devices manufactured after the date of enactment of the bill. These feeding devices are defined as a magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device that has the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds.
While safer gun laws cannot guarantee that tragedies such as the December 14, 2012 shooting in Newtown, CT will not occur in the future, it is our responsibility as gun owners to support laws, consistent with the 2nd Amendment, that may prevent such senseless loss of life. We are asking gun owners, organizations that support gun use, and lawmakers to act responsibly and support safer gun laws.
Why is this important?
I am a gun owner, member of a shooting league, and a concerned citizen. I feel it is important to address this issue from our perspective.