Letter I Sent To My Representative Re: HR 45

Mr. Perriello -

Forgive my rather lengthy communication here, I have a great deal to say.

It has come to my attention that the "Firearm Licensing And Record Of Sale Act of 2009" (HR 45) has been introduced for consideration to become legislation. First and foremost I would like to point out that this could be interpreted as a direct violation of the second amendment.

While it cannot be reasonably argued what exactly our founding fathers meant when the Bill Of Rights was written, it CAN be reasonably argued that this bill will put more Americans at risk for being victims of gun violence than ever.

Why? Illegal guns are brought into this country every day through various means. This bill will have little, if any effect on gun violence. If criminals want guns, they will get them one way or another. And what will we "unlicensed" civilians do to protect ourselves then?

I know that the teenager for whom this bill was named met a tragic death by gun violence, and it is indeed sad. But it does not warrant leaving average citizens possibly unable to defend themselves because they may not qualify for a license under this legislation.

Example: Being a convicted felon would automatically constitute disqualification, I am sure. This is already in place by the majority of convicted felons' rights being revoked. Even DUI is considered a violent crime, and therefore a felony in the state of Virginia.

If someone is convicted of a DUI, they already are a felon, and therefore unable to vote, or buy/own a firearm. So the legislation isn't going to fix anything. It is simply going to ensure that the government knows which citizens legitimately have the means to defend themselves.

Want proof of this? The government has wasted tens of years and billions of dollars in manpower and resources fighting a so-called "war on drugs" that has only filled our jails to overflowing for non-violent drug offenders so that serious crimes such as rape, murder, and robberies cannot be properly punished. Not to mention the fact, that like the aforementioned illegal guns, illegal drugs are brought into and/or manufactured in this country everyday. So the "war on drugs" has failed.

Now, the government is proposing a war on gun violence, and along with it, our basic right to defend ourselves. I will not stand for this. Making it a crime to be an "unlicensed" owner of a firearm won't reduce gun violence. It will only allow those who get firearms illegally to hold this country and its citizens hostage.

This reeks of the government once again sticking their nose where it doesn't belong, and more importantly, into our pockets. Where is the revenue for the extra manpower and resources the ATF will have to have at its disposal to enforce this? The government could not balance its budget ten years ago, so how do they propose to do this?

Under this legislation, we will be treated like criminals for failing to disclose that we have the means to protect ourselves from a violent agressor. Quite frankly, it is no one's business whether or not I, as an average joe with no violent criminal history, possess or own a firearm.
I would like to point out that this is especially critical in these tight economic times. Jobs are tough to find, and are getting harder as smaller businesses are failing. In the past year, 14 have failed in the closest city to me alone.

As times get harder, people get more desperate and may be more likely to commit a violent crime such as armed robbery to ensure that their family is fed.

I know that this legislation is intended in some part to head this possibility off. But it will simply leave innocent civilians open to attack by criminals. As I stated, if these criminals want guns, they will get them, legal or not. If you want a demonstration of what this legislation's passing could lead to, you should watch a movie called "Demolition Man".

This is just allowing terrorists to win by taking away the freedoms that they hate our country for. It will allow criminals to win by leaving citizens open to violent attacks with illegal firearms. I urge you to vote against this bill.

Now, as an aside, Mr. Perriello, I'm going to take a moment to be frank and honest. This section is not necessarily meant for only you, feel free to share this with your colleagues, because I think everyone in government needs to see it.

I'm sure that you, as most who enter public office, do it because you want to serve the people of your community. Unfortunately, I have seen too much evidence that not only does our government sweep its citizens under the rug in most cases, it is also corrupt, and has been for decades. I personally do not think the government was trustworthy since before I was born.

From what I have seen the government no longer serves its citizens, it serves the purposes of its own agenda, regardless of whether it means crushing our freedoms.

Prove us wrong, Washington.....

Make those whose crimes really tragically affect the lives of others pay for their wrongdoing, instead of overloading our jails with those who simply use recreational drugs in the privacy of their own home, or make a mistake on their tax return.

Tax those who can afford it, instead of forcing working families and small businesses into Chapters 11 and 13.

Stop giving veritable bonuses to large corporations for not being able to balance their budget. It's "We The People", not "We The Corporations".

Stop taxation on top of taxation, such as "inheritance tax", "fuels tax", "meals tax", and various other taxes of this ridiculous nature. This country was founded to avoid unfair taxation, do you see the irony here?

Stop allowing large corporations to attempt to monopolize local industry and and muscle out smaller businesses and self-employed individuals.

Stop allowing our civil liberties and basic rights to be infringed and violated by those who think they have the right to do so.

Stop giving yourselves pay raises when there is potential for a surplus.

Ensure that government agencies in place to serve the public actually do so, instead of helping those who don't deserve it, leaving those in need out in the cold.

There is much more that I could mention, Mr. Perriello, but I do realize that you have many things to attend to. Yours is a big job, perhaps bigger than some realize, and I thank you for your time in reading this.


Sincerely and respectfully your constitutent......