To: Kelly Ayotte, U.S. Senator
Sen. Ayotte, It's Time: Host a Gun Violence Prevention Town Hall
As a constituent, I respectfully call on you to host a town hall this congressional recess dedicated to the pressing issue of reducing gun violence in our communities.
In April of this year you voted against the Manchin-Toomey background check bill—the only bill that would have required background checks for commercial gun sales and improved the background check system. The amendment you did support was created by the gun lobby and would actually weaken the system and put more guns in the hands of the severely mentally ill. Constituents have a right to talk to you directly about your vote on this bill and your future plans on this topic.
I join Granite Staters across New Hampshire in calling on you to hold a town hall dedicated to the pressing issue of gun violence prevention. We specifically request that the event include survivors of gun violence and the family members of victims, in addition to gun violence prevention advocates, faith leaders, law enforcement officials, mental health advocates, and responsible gun owners. Reducing gun violence is a pressing national issue, and it should be a community conversation about how we can work together to protect more children and families.
At the same time, we publicly ask that you call on your political supporters to allow respectful dialogue to occur during the town hall. Though you cannot control the actions of others, we politely request that you firmly communicate that behavior that is specifically designed to shut down open dialogue on the pressing issues facing our nation is unacceptable to you.
In April of this year you voted against the Manchin-Toomey background check bill—the only bill that would have required background checks for commercial gun sales and improved the background check system. The amendment you did support was created by the gun lobby and would actually weaken the system and put more guns in the hands of the severely mentally ill. Constituents have a right to talk to you directly about your vote on this bill and your future plans on this topic.
I join Granite Staters across New Hampshire in calling on you to hold a town hall dedicated to the pressing issue of gun violence prevention. We specifically request that the event include survivors of gun violence and the family members of victims, in addition to gun violence prevention advocates, faith leaders, law enforcement officials, mental health advocates, and responsible gun owners. Reducing gun violence is a pressing national issue, and it should be a community conversation about how we can work together to protect more children and families.
At the same time, we publicly ask that you call on your political supporters to allow respectful dialogue to occur during the town hall. Though you cannot control the actions of others, we politely request that you firmly communicate that behavior that is specifically designed to shut down open dialogue on the pressing issues facing our nation is unacceptable to you.
Why is this important?
It’s been four months since Senator Ayotte voted against criminal background checks and the 89% of her constituents who support them. Since then, she’s screened out constituent questions on the topic, dodged press interviews, and rotated through reasons why she sided with the NRA lobby over Granite State families. It's high time Senator Ayotte held a gun violence prevention town hall so that constituents can speak with her directly about this important topic. Please help us call on Senator Ayotte to hold a town hall on gun violence prevention during Congressional recess this month.