Wisconsin has one bad apple.
Here is the reply she sent me. We need to vote these "Bad Seeds" out.
She doesn't understand "Not Infringed".
Thank you for contacting me about federal gun policy. I value your input on a topic that involves fundamental constitutional rights and the safety of our families and communities.
The horrific tragedy at Sandy Hook elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut in December of last year has prompted a national dialogue on guns and federal gun policy. Other mass killings at Fort Hood in Texas; at a grocery store in Tucson, Arizona; at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado; and in a place of worship in Oak Creek, Wisconsin have heightened our focus on strategies to reduce gun violence and save lives. But, the death of 20 young school children and six teachers at Sandy Hook demands that we try to find common ground to take action without violating constitutional rights.
A wide range of policy options have been put forth as a part of this conversation. In January, President Obama outlined his plan to reduce gun violence in the United States. Additionally, several bills relating to gun violence have been offered in both Houses of Congress and Congressional Committees are holding Hearings to inform the path forward.
In addition to hearing from you, it has been important to me to listen to Wisconsinites with various perspectives on the issue. To date, I have met with Chiefs of Police from a number of communities, family members of the fallen at Oak Creek, sportsmen and women, and researchers seeking to better understand what policies can be effective as we seek to reduce gun injury and death. I look forward to gaining additional insight as we continue the work on solutions to prevent gun violence.
Debates over gun policies often evoke strong responses because throughout our policymaking, we must safeguard constitutional rights at the same time as we endeavor to safeguard communities and combat crime. I am a gun owner and firmly believe in the Second Amendment and the right of law-abiding Americans to keep and bear arms. I also believe that, as the Supreme Court has ruled, this right can be reconciled with reasonable, common sense safety measures.
Ever since passage of the Brady Act in 1993, federal law has required criminal background checks for certain gun purchases. In the 20 years since the passage of the Brady Act and with the advent and widespread use of e-commerce, an increasing number of gun sales occur without a criminal background check. I support requiring background checks on all gun sales. In addition, I support giving law enforcement additional tools to crack down on gun trafficking and the straw purchasers who help get guns into the hands of criminals.
The recent tragedies across the nation also give us reason to reassess our mental health system. Most people with mental illness will never become violent. However, if mental health treatment and services were more readily available, we would see fewer people in situations that spiral out of control. I believe that we should have a special emphasis on young adults, as most mental illnesses manifest themselves by the time a person reaches young adulthood. I have previously worked to ensure mental health parity, so that insurance policies cover mental illness in the same way that they cover physical illness. While mental health parity is now the law, it has not been fully implemented and its benefits are not felt by those Americans who lack insurance coverage.
I support the President's call to restore research funding that can help us study gun violence, gun injury prevention and gun safety. Limits have been placed on such funding by Congress for a number of years, and it is high time those restrictions be lifted. Accurate data and careful, objective evaluation of that data informs better policy.
The President's plan to reduce gun violence in the United States makes a series of recommendations that include instituting a ban on assault weapons and high capacity magazines. Each of these proposals will get careful scrutiny. Every year in Wisconsin, hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites go hunting. It is a time-honored tradition that is a part of our state's culture. We must assure that these proposals do nothing to inhibit the celebrated sporting heritage of our state. I look forward to reviewing these proposals and working with my colleagues to find common ground, so that we can reduce gun violence in this country while protecting everyone's Second Amendment rights.
Please know that I will keep your thoughts and suggestions in mind as Congress considers gun policy legislation.
Sincerely,
Tammy Baldwin
United States Senator
