Rep. Scott DesJarlais Response to Gun Control Efforts

By | February 20, 2013
3 Comments

It took a couple weeks to get back to me, but here is the response I got:

February 19, 2013

Dear [redacted],

Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns about the potential introduction of gun control legislation. I truly appreciate having the benefit of your views on this important issue.

It is hard to imagine anything more horrifying than the tragic shooting that occurred this past December at Sandy Hook Elementary School. As a parent with three school age children of my own, I join many other concerned parents in recognizing the need to create a safer learning environment in our schools. I believe that it is of the utmost importance for us to enact sensible measures to protect our children. However, I agree with a majority of Tennesseans in expressing my concern that the Obama administration is using this catastrophic event as a way to limit our Second Amendment rights.

President Obama has stated on numerous occasions that he is willing to bypass Congress through the use of executive orders to achieve his gun control objectives. Should the President resort to legislating through executive order, not only would he be circumventing Congress; but ultimately, he would be trivializing the will of the American people and the constitutionally protected democratic process in which they chose to participate.

After the Sandy Hook tragedy, Americans deserve a comprehensive and effective strategy to protect their families from such senseless acts. Unfortunately, the President has chosen to advance a political agenda that in the end will have little impact on stemming gun violence while further eroding the rights of law-abiding citizens. As a proud supporter of our Second Amendment, I am prepared to use any legal means to protect these constitutional rights from infringement. As gun control legislation is introduced into the 113th Congress, rest assured that I intend to oppose any legislative effort that will infringe upon our constitutionally guaranteed rights defined in the Second Amendment.

It is an honor and a privilege representing you and all of Tennessee’s Fourth Congressional District. Please let me know if you have additional comments or question on this or any other legislative matter.

Sincerely,

Scott DesJarlais
Member of Congress

Compare that response to what people are getting from Senator Bob Corker.

One is a strong response. The other is not.

3 thoughts on “Rep. Scott DesJarlais Response to Gun Control Efforts”

  1. Steve in TN (@sdo1)

    Here’s what Jim Cooper sent out:

    Dear Mr. …:
    Thank you for contacting me regarding possible firearms legislation in Congress.

    I share your concerns because I am a gun owner and, like tens of thousands of Tennesseans, have a carry permit. Like you, I know many law enforcement officers who risk their lives every day for our protection. And we all have families whom we love dearly and whom we want to keep safe from violence.

    It is too early to say what gun legislation will move through Congress. The President is pushing Congress to act, as you probably heard him say in his State of the Union Address, saying that each of several different ways to reduce gun violence deserves a vote. He mentioned more background checks, stopping straw purchases of guns for criminals, and keeping our police officers from being outgunned. He said that “Each of these proposals deserves a vote in Congress.” He did not try to tell anyone how to vote.

    I think the President is generally on the right track with this approach. More background checks are particularly interesting because the National Rifle Association has supported them in the past, a poll indicates that 74% of current NRA members support them, and the Republican Leader in the House, Rep. Eric Cantor, recently said that background checks need to be stronger. Apparently 40% of gun sales today involve no background check. Because Republicans schedule all the votes in the House, Cantor’s comment could be significant.

    The Feinstein bill to ban the future manufacture of certain types of “assault weapons” has received most of the media’s attention, but Senator Feinstein has expressed doubts about whether her bill could pass the Senate. House passage would be even more difficult, according to most observers. No one is seriously proposing banning or confiscating guns from law-abiding citizens.

    I will do my best to study any pending legislation and to vote in accordance with the U.S. Constitution that I am sworn to uphold, including, of course, the Second Amendment. My guess is that no votes will occur until this summer.

    Let’s stay in touch as the issue advances. Thanks again for taking the time to share your views with me.
    Sincerely,
    Jim Cooper
    Member of Congress

    Reply ↓
  3. Chris

    At least Corker responds. I have been yet to get so much as a form letter responce from Alexander. Kinda let’s you know how important we are to him don’t it.

    Reply ↓

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