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Dear Don:
Thank you
for taking the time to write. I have heard from many Americans
regarding firearms policy and gun violence in our Nation, and I appreciate
your perspective. From Aurora to Newtown to the streets of Chicago, we
have seen the devastating effects gun violence has on our American
family. I join countless others in grieving for all those whose lives
have been taken too soon by gun violence.
Like the
majority of Americans, I believe the Second Amendment guarantees an
individual right to bear arms. In this country, we have a strong
tradition of gun ownership that has been handed down from generation to
generation. Hunting and sport shooting are part of our national
heritage. Yet, even as we acknowledge that almost all gun owners in
America are responsible, when we look at the devastation caused by gun
violence—whether in high-profile tragedies or the daily heartbreak that
plagues our cities—we must ask ourselves whether we are doing enough.
While
reducing gun violence is a complicated challenge, protecting our children
from harm should not be a divisive one. Most gun owners agree that we
can respect the Second Amendment while keeping an irresponsible, law-breaking
few from inflicting harm on a massive scale. Most also agree that if we
took commonsense steps to curtail gun violence, there would be fewer
atrocities like the one that occurred in Newtown. We will not be able
to stop every violent act, but if there is even one thing we can do to reduce
gun violence—if even one life can be saved—then we have an obligation to try.
That is
why I asked Vice President Joe Biden to identify concrete steps we can take
to keep our children safe, help prevent mass shootings, and reduce the
broader epidemic of gun violence in this country. He met with over 200
groups representing a broad cross-section of Americans and heard their best
ideas. I have put forward a specific set of proposals based off of his
efforts, and in the days ahead, I intend to use whatever weight this office
holds to make them a reality.
My plan
gives law enforcement, schools, mental health professionals, and the public
health community some of the tools they need to help reduce gun
violence. These tools include strengthening the background check
system, helping schools hire more resource officers and counselors and
develop emergency preparedness plans, and ensuring mental health
professionals know their options for reporting threats of violence. And
I directed the Centers for Disease Control to study the best ways to reduce
gun violence—because it is critical that we understand the science behind
this public health crisis.
As
important as these steps are, they are not a substitute for action from
Congress. To make a real and lasting difference, members of Congress
must also act. As part of my comprehensive plan, I have called on them
to pass some specific proposals right away. First, it is time to
require a universal background check for anyone trying to buy a gun.
Second, Congress should renew the 10-round limit on magazines and reinstate
and strengthen the assault weapons ban. We should get tougher on those
who buy guns with the purpose of selling them to criminals, and we should
impose serious punishments on anyone who helps them do this.
These are
reasonable, commonsense measures that have the support of the majority of the
American people. But change will not come unless the American people
demand it from their lawmakers. Now is the time to do the right thing
for our children, our communities, and the country we love. We owe the
victims of heartbreaking national tragedies and the countless unheralded
tragedies each year nothing less than our best effort—to seek consensus in
order to save lives and ensure a brighter future for our children.
Thank you,
again, for writing. I encourage you to visit www.WhiteHouse.gov/NowIsTheTime to learn
more about my Administration’s approach.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama
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Sunday 10 March 2013
GUNS & THE USA - Response from the White House
Five or six weeks ago I posted an article titled: Guns & The USA. I also sent it to the White House. Here is the reply I received from the White House.
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