Task Force on “Gun Violence”
2013/01/23
To: looney@senatedems.ct.gov, Craig.Miner@housegop.ct.gov, Gerald.Fox@cga.ct.gov, Stephen.Dargan@cga.ct.gov, Bob.Godfrey@cga.ct.gov, Toni.Walker@cga.ct.gov, Rosa.Rebimbas@housegop.ct.gov, Janice.Giegler@housegop.ct.gov, dan.carter@housegop.ct.gov, Eric.Coleman@cga.ct.gov, Fonfara@senatedems.ct.gov, Hartley@senatedems.ct.gov, John.A.Kissel@cga.ct.gov, Scott.Frantz@cga.ct.gov, Anthony.Guglielmo@cga.ct.gov, Kevin.Witkos@cga.ct.gov
Senators and Representatives,
Amongst all the proposed legislation I have not seen a single bill that proposes measures to properly deal with those that have been convicted of violent crimes of any nature or crimes committed while in illegal possession of a firearm. I have also not seen any bills that deal with individuals who attempt to illegally obtain a firearm. As an example, design a law that limits prosecutorial discretion for violent crimes that should show up on a background check upon conviction. Craft laws that require violent offenders to register in the same manner as sex offenders. Address the root of ALL violence in our society by dealing with those that disavow civility and prey upon the civil and righteous.
I am hereby voicing my opposition to any legislation that places further restrictions, or exorbitant monetary encumbrances, upon the lawful firearms owner. Your obligation as a legislator isn’t to diminish any rights that exist for the participatory members of society. Limitations placed on the capacity of standard magazines, cosmetic features of firearms as well as taxation or insurance schemes which are designed to be prohibitive in nature are all measures that diminish, ergo infringe upon, those rights protected from governmental interference for us by the United States Bill of Rights. Additionally the Constitution of the State of Connecticut, Article I Section XV, names those same rights.
The right to own and bear arms isn’t a privilege extended to us by the government, it is an inherent right that exists in theories of creation as well as self-evident as the means by which we protect the sovereignty of our lives.
Any vote for legislation that limits my rights, especially when other states have taken measures to preserve citizens rights, is a very clear statement that Connecticut places less value upon my life, the life of my wife, my son, and my neighbor than it places upon the “Philosopher Kings” elected by consent. The desire to live in a state that treats its residents as serfs rather than citizens is non-existant.
Regards,
