Dear Mr. Vellucci:
Knowing of your interest in gun safety, I write to update you.
Like all Americans, I was shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. Our deepest condolences go to the families of the children, teachers, and staff killed in this deadly shooting. My thoughts and prayers are with the families affected by this unfathomable tragedy. Such senseless violence shatters the sense of security that should exist in our communities.
As a graduate of the United States Military Academy and a former officer in the U.S. Army, I respect firearms and appreciate responsible gun ownership. I also recognize the role of hunting and other sporting activities involving guns, and believe firearms should be accessible to law-abiding citizens.
However, I believe we can, and must, do more to reduce gun-related crimes that shatter the lives of too many Americans. Throughout my tenure in Congress I have supported and proposed sensible gun safety legislation which I believe is consistent with the Second Amendment and recent Supreme Court rulings on this matter. The goal of such legislation has been to prevent potentially dangerous people, such as convicted felons or individuals with a history of mental instability, from buying or otherwise obtaining firearms. Currently, I am a cosponsor of:
The Gun Show Background Check Act, which would close the loophole in federal gun laws that allows criminals to buy firearms at gun shows, defined as any public event where 50 or more firearms are offered for sale;
The Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device Act, which would ban the manufacture and sale of ammunition magazines that have a capacity of more than ten rounds of ammunition, the kind that made the tragic shootings in Newtown, Aurora, and Tucson so lethal;
The Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act, which would provide the Attorney General with discretionary authority to deny the transfer of a firearm or the issuance of a firearm or explosives license or permit when a background check reveals that the purchaser is a known or suspected terrorist;
The Stop Online Ammunition Sales Act, which would effectively ban the online sale of ammunition except to licensed dealers; and
The Assault Weapons Ban, which would prohibit the sale and manufacture of assault weapons and ban high-capacity ammunition magazines.
I was pleased that some of these proposals were included in President Obama’s recently-announced plan to help reduce gun violence. Further information is available on the White House's website at Now is the time | The White House.
The events in Newtown and elsewhere have also brought greater attention to our nation’s mental health care system. Throughout my tenure in Congress, I have worked to ensure that individuals with mental and behavioral disorders have access to the treatment they need. I introduced the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act Reauthorization, which would authorize funding for youth suicide prevention efforts, and I am an original cosponsor of the Mental Health First Aid Act, which would authorize funding to train personnel on the front lines, like police officers and teachers, on how to help individuals in need. I also helped author the recently introduced Excellence in Mental Health Act, which would improve the treatment that Community Mental Health Centers provide.
Your thoughts are valuable to me, and you can be assured that I will keep them in mind should legislation regarding gun safety or mental health come before the full Senate for consideration.
As always, do not hesitate to write, call, or visit my website, Jack Reed - United States Senator for Rhode Island, in the future for information regarding this or any other matter.
Sincerely,
Jack Reed
United States Senator
Jack Reed - United States Senator for Rhode Island
Knowing of your interest in gun safety, I write to update you.
Like all Americans, I was shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. Our deepest condolences go to the families of the children, teachers, and staff killed in this deadly shooting. My thoughts and prayers are with the families affected by this unfathomable tragedy. Such senseless violence shatters the sense of security that should exist in our communities.
As a graduate of the United States Military Academy and a former officer in the U.S. Army, I respect firearms and appreciate responsible gun ownership. I also recognize the role of hunting and other sporting activities involving guns, and believe firearms should be accessible to law-abiding citizens.
However, I believe we can, and must, do more to reduce gun-related crimes that shatter the lives of too many Americans. Throughout my tenure in Congress I have supported and proposed sensible gun safety legislation which I believe is consistent with the Second Amendment and recent Supreme Court rulings on this matter. The goal of such legislation has been to prevent potentially dangerous people, such as convicted felons or individuals with a history of mental instability, from buying or otherwise obtaining firearms. Currently, I am a cosponsor of:
The Gun Show Background Check Act, which would close the loophole in federal gun laws that allows criminals to buy firearms at gun shows, defined as any public event where 50 or more firearms are offered for sale;
The Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device Act, which would ban the manufacture and sale of ammunition magazines that have a capacity of more than ten rounds of ammunition, the kind that made the tragic shootings in Newtown, Aurora, and Tucson so lethal;
The Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act, which would provide the Attorney General with discretionary authority to deny the transfer of a firearm or the issuance of a firearm or explosives license or permit when a background check reveals that the purchaser is a known or suspected terrorist;
The Stop Online Ammunition Sales Act, which would effectively ban the online sale of ammunition except to licensed dealers; and
The Assault Weapons Ban, which would prohibit the sale and manufacture of assault weapons and ban high-capacity ammunition magazines.
I was pleased that some of these proposals were included in President Obama’s recently-announced plan to help reduce gun violence. Further information is available on the White House's website at Now is the time | The White House.
The events in Newtown and elsewhere have also brought greater attention to our nation’s mental health care system. Throughout my tenure in Congress, I have worked to ensure that individuals with mental and behavioral disorders have access to the treatment they need. I introduced the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act Reauthorization, which would authorize funding for youth suicide prevention efforts, and I am an original cosponsor of the Mental Health First Aid Act, which would authorize funding to train personnel on the front lines, like police officers and teachers, on how to help individuals in need. I also helped author the recently introduced Excellence in Mental Health Act, which would improve the treatment that Community Mental Health Centers provide.
Your thoughts are valuable to me, and you can be assured that I will keep them in mind should legislation regarding gun safety or mental health come before the full Senate for consideration.
As always, do not hesitate to write, call, or visit my website, Jack Reed - United States Senator for Rhode Island, in the future for information regarding this or any other matter.
Sincerely,
Jack Reed
United States Senator
Jack Reed - United States Senator for Rhode Island
