Responses from Legislators

[Guest ArmyVeteran37214]

Thank you for taking the time to email me to share your thoughts and concerns.

I want you to know that we read every single letter and e-mail that is sent to us in order to best understand the issues that are important to you. It is our commitment to respond to your input as thoughtfully and efficiently as possible. I meet with my staff regularly to discuss the issues raised in correspondence like yours and will be back in touch with a more thorough response soon.

Thank you again for your email. I hope you will continue to share your thoughts with me.

Sincerely,


Bob Corker
United States Senator

 

Thanks for writing to my office to express your views. I look forward to reading your comments and will do my best to respond to you as quickly as possible.

I'm always pleased to hear from residents of the 5th District and welcome your thoughts. As a member of Congress, knowing what you think helps me to better represent all my fellow Tennesseans here in Washington.

In the meantime, I hope you will consider signing up for my eNewsletter so I can send you regular emails to keep you informed of my work in Congress. If you'd like to sign up, click http://www.cooper.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=120

If you need additional information or help, please don't hesitate to call my office, either in Nashville or in Washington. I look forward to hearing from you again in the future.

Sincerely,

Jim Cooper

Edited January 3, 2013 by ArmyVeteran37214

[dats82]

I had similar canned responses as well, and I have yet to get any response to indicate that my message was read.  I wrote them over two weeks ago; I guess they have been busy with some cliff thing or something.

[Guest Baron]

I received real responses in the past, but not this time. All I get now is the same junk. 

[Guest Mad4rcn]

Thats the same as I got also.

[Jonnin]

They, or their aids, read them and at least tally up the number of letters on the issue into an executive summary.

 

That is why even form letters from GOA or NRA etc work ---- they count the number of those. 

 

It is not really fair to expect an individualized response for the (hopefully!!!) thousands of emails sent on various subjects each day.

[DWARREN123]

They be busy covering their butts!

[Dennis1209]

I had similar canned responses as well, and I have yet to get any response to indicate that my message was read.  I wrote them over two weeks ago; I guess they have been busy with some cliff thing or something.

 

Same here, received an automated response that they received it and will be in touch. Color me stupid but, the funny things was, required fields to send an email included the last additional 4 digits of your zip code. Had to dig in the trash to retrieve them.

 

Anyone have all 9 zip code digits memorized or am I just the only one?

[vontar]

I have only got canned as well. 

 

Actually I only got a canned from Bob, not even canned from the others.

[Volzfan]

It would sure be nice to get a reply that actually appeared to have some real thought put into it!

[Wyldk2]

It would sure be nice to get a reply that actually appeared to have some real thought put into it!

That would take the legislators some actual work time. Why word it themselves when they have numerous ( paid and unpaid) interns and aides to do it for them.

[Guest dubaholic2]

I recieved this today:

 

 

 

January 3, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Mr. Bales:

 

Thank you for contacting me concerning the heartbreaking tragedy that took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut , where 20 children and six adults were murdered.

 

This was one of the most horrific events that ha s ever occurred in th is Country. It touched almost everyone in a deeply moving and personal way.

 

I have always believed that the worst thing that can happen to anyone is to outlive one of their children. My wife and I can easily remember when our children were the ages of those who were killed in Newtown, and we now have five grandchildren, from ages three to nine, with one more due in late February.

 

While many more people were killed on 9/11, almost all were adults. The only comparable events in the U.S. when many children were killed are the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City and the deaths of the children at the Branch Davidian Compound in Waco, Texas.

 

No one will ever know for sure why this killer committed theses horrible shootings. Pastor John Wood said in his December 16 th sermon at Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church in Knoxville where I attend that he believed many young people have been desensitized to killing by years of watching violent video games, movies, and TV shows.

 

Other factors may also play a part in these terrible incidents. Almost all school shooters for many years have come from broken homes and apparently have been deeply hurt by divorce. Most have also been young men and boys who have been on anti-depressant medications.

 

There have been many calls to tighten up our gun laws and greatly increase security at our schools. However, news reports have said that the Connecticut killer shot his way into the Newtown school, which was considered very secure, and there is no practical way to ban all guns in this Country.

 

These terrible killings in Connecticut were apparently caused by deep-seated psychological problems. As much as some people hate to admit it, guns have prevented many thousands of crimes and saved untold thousands of lives each year.

 

If some deranged person is determined to kill, he can find a way. The children killed in Oklahoma City and Waco were not killed by hand guns or assault weapons.

 

It would be a mistake to make a rush to judgment based primarily on emotion. We need to study the tragedy in Connecticut and all the other school shootings over the years. I am open to considering something new or different in trying to prevent a similar incident in the future.

 

One suggestion I heard on the Sean Hannity radio program was to hire retired police officers, or some with minor disabilities, and make sure there is an armed guard at every school in this Country.

 

I am open to similar suggestions, and I hope with all my heart nothing like this ever happens again.

 

I really cannot imagine the pain of the parents of these little children, especially occurring just before what is supposed to be the happiest time of year.

 

My heart goes out to them. I have prayed for them and hope there is more that we can do in a reasonable, responsible way.

 

With kindest regards, I am

 

   

 

 

Yours truly,

JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.
Member of Congress

 

 

 

I didn't contact him concerning the shooting. I contacted him concerning the possible revocation of our 2A rights, and how I hope that he will oppose any such legislation.

[Guest sL1k]

My reply from Chuck
Dear Daniel:

Thank you for contacting me about the recent heartbreaking tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut. I appreciate hearing your thoughts on this horrendous attack on our children, and I remain honored to represent you in Congress.

On December 14, 2012 a deranged young man attacked the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown Connecticut, brutally murdering 20 first graders and 6 adults. This unspeakable attack shook the town of Newtown to its core and forced many of us to question how anyone could be so evil as to murder children.

In the wake of this shooting there are no easy answers. I have heard suggestions for limiting 2nd Amendment rights to increasing resources for mental health issues to putting armed school resource officers in every school. I oppose limiting gun rights, however I do believe that there is merit in the other two suggestions, although these solutions may be better implemented at the state or local level than at the federal level. School resources and needs are no doubt very different in a small Tennessee town than in New York City or in rural Alaska.

This horrific act leads me to hug my children a little bit tighter, but ultimately the search for answers to this shooting yields few clues. We know little about the shooter and what could have driven him to kill.

I urge you to join me in keeping the victims and their families in your prayers in the wake of this horrible crime. Thank you again for your concern and please do not hesitate to let me know if I may be of additional assistance.


Sincerely,

Chuck Fleischmann
Member of Congress Edited January 4, 2013 by sL1k

[GlockSpock]

I too just received the same message from Fleischmann. I have yet to receive anything from the senators. 

 

I STILL want to know what happens if someone sends a message to one of these candidates asking FOR more gun control. Will the receive an appeasement response as well? In other words, is it possible to get them to support two positions at once via email?

[Fivestring63]

I too just received the same message from Fleischmann. I have yet to receive anything from the senators. 
 
I STILL want to know what happens if someone sends a message to one of these candidates asking FOR more gun control. Will the receive an appeasement response as well? In other words, is it possible to get them to support two positions at once via email?

I remember someone did this with John Kerry I believe. They recieved two totally different responses supporting whatever the writer sent in.

[vontar]

Yup I wont' repost but I got the letter from Congressman Chuck Fleischmann as well today

[ShamGlock]

I got a lot of the same. 

[Guest Bassman17SC]

I haven't received diddly from Alexander - and I've written an actual letter plus sent him three separate e-mails.

 

At least Cooper and Corker have sent me their robotic e-mail responses.  I wrote actual letters to them as well (with no response).

 

I am beginning to actually believe that they are only piling up a tally sheet of pro versus con.

[Sidinman]

I recieved the same canned e-mails that ya'll got. Its all about the numbers, so I guess one more for our side.

[Guest Bassman17SC]

Has anyone received a response from our esteemed Senator Alexander?  Even one of the canned responses?  I have not and it concerns me.

 

1.  The past four years he voted with the Dems/The Won's policies 67% of the time (Corker was not much better at 62%).

2.  He's been chumming up with the Chinese.  He recently received some sort of award from them.

3.  He gets a 'C' rating from the Gun Owners of America (GOA).  BTW, Corker gets a 'C' rating, too.

 

The evidence suggests to me that he may no longer be conducting the People's business, but what do i know?

 

At any rate, we need to continue to pound on these guys.  If you are a member of other forums, ask those guys to help work on our senators.  It is obvious they need to be reminded that they took an oath of office to "support and defend the Constitution."

[GlockSpock]

Just sent our two Senators another message, essentially telling them that it greatly concerns me as to why I have not received anything from them regarding the 2nd.

[GlockSpock]

I finally received this from Alexander

 

 

 

Thank you for sharing your feelings regarding the tragic shootings in Newtown, Connecticut.  I was horrified by this attack that left twenty-eight dead.  My thoughts and prayers are for the victims and those who now live with their loss. 

 

As we learn more about the tragedy in Newtown, I think we must look closely at the behavior of isolated young men who develop an obsession with violence.  We should ask the leaders of the entertainment industry whether they would want their children--or those who might harm their children--to watch the increasingly violent video games and movies that they pour into our culture.  This is not the only cause of violence in our society but it is one important cause. Connecticut has strong gun laws. The problem is not with the gun but with the person pulling the trigger.

 

This is a terrible event for our nation and we must find appropriate ways to respond. I’m grateful you’ve shared your reactions with me and will keep them in mind as we move forward.

 

Sincerely,

Lamar

 

At least he admits that CT has strong gun laws and the problem is not with the gun but with the person pulling the trigger, but I am not really sure that I consider this a comforting reply.

[gregintenn]

Wow! I was expecting a canned response, but mine isn't like yours.

 

                                

 

Dear Greg,

 

Thanks very much and letting me know what’s on your mind regarding the right to bear arms.

 

I’m a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights. Congress should not pass laws that take away these rights from law abiding citizens and leave criminals to terrorize the streets. Good citizens don’t abuse guns – criminals do. I will continue to support legislative efforts to protect the Second Amendment rights of law abiding Americans, and oppose efforts to overturn the Second Amendment.

 

In two recent cases, the U.S. Supreme Court clearly held that the Second Amendment protects the right of individual Americans to keep and bear arms. In the 2008 case, D.C. v. Heller, the Supreme Court held that D.C.’s restrictive gun laws violated the constitutional rights of Americans. Two years later, in McDonald v. Chicago, the court struck down the city of Chicago’s handgun ban and held that, like the federal government, state and local governments must respect Second Amendment rights. I joined legal briefs in both cases in defense of this constitutional right and was pleased with the Supreme Court’s decisions.

 

I am grateful you took the time to let me know where you stand. I’ll be sure to keep your comments in mind as Second Amendment rights are discussed and debated in Washington and in Tennessee.

 

Sincerely,

Lamar

[cgpeanut]

I got a favorable response from Lamar Alexander as follows:

 

Dear Roberto,

 

Thanks very much and letting me know what’s on your mind regarding the right to bear arms.

 

I’m a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights. Congress should not pass laws that take away these rights from law abiding citizens and leave criminals to terrorize the streets. Good citizens don’t abuse guns – criminals do. I will continue to support legislative efforts to protect the Second Amendment rights of law abiding Americans, and oppose efforts to overturn the Second Amendment.

 

In two recent cases, the U.S. Supreme Court clearly held that the Second Amendment protects the right of individual Americans to keep and bear arms. In the 2008 case, D.C. v. Heller, the Supreme Court held that D.C.’s restrictive gun laws violated the constitutional rights of Americans. Two years later, in McDonald v. Chicago, the court struck down the city of Chicago’s handgun ban and held that, like the federal government, state and local governments must respect Second Amendment rights. I joined legal briefs in both cases in defense of this constitutional right and was pleased with the Supreme Court’s decisions.

 

I am grateful you took the time to let me know where you stand. I’ll be sure to keep your comments in mind as Second Amendment rights are discussed and debated in Washington and in Tennessee.

 

Sincerely,

Lamar

 

 

Hope he sticks to this.

[GlockSpock]

Well I suppose that it is possible that some politicians still personally reply (or have an intern do so), but I also suspect that perhaps you and I just got put on two different lists? I may have gotten put on the 2nd Amendment/Sandy Hook list, and you may have just gotten put on the 2nd Amendment list? I don't know what your initial message requested, but it is just a thought. Anyone else receive one tonight?

[East_TN_Patriot]

Betty Duncan Massey has yet to respond to my communication sent a couple of days after the shooting.