A letter to Congress on gun control, 1 of ???

June 14, 2016

Dear Senator/Representative [Last Name],

I'm writing to you in light of the recent mass shooting in Orlando, Florida. I, like many Americans, am heartbroken and angry that a tragedy of this magnitude has occurred. And I am ashamed that this is the latest in a litany of such events, none of which have previously prompted me to write you and ask for your assistance, because the first of these events should have been such a source of national shame that we immediately acted to prevent them from happening ever again.

As I cannot change my past, I can only hope to affect the future. And for that I need your help.

I am asking you to propose or support immediate legislation that restricts the ability of anyone to perpetrate a crime of this nature again. I believe effective legislation of this type will include universal background checks on those looking to purchase weapons, licensing for gun owners akin to that required to drive a car, and restricting the ability of anyone on the terrorist watchlist to purchase guns and ammunition in any significant way. Furthermore, I believe that allowing the CDC to originate and pursue long-term studies on gun violence in this country will better inform future policy designed to keep Americans safe while simultaneously honoring the 2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

I realize that legislation of this type will be difficult to enact. You do not have an easy path to overcome the powerful and well-funded gun lobby spearheaded by the National Rifle Association. It is past time, however, to put forth the effort necessary to walk that path and find its terminus. It will require bi-partisanship that is all too uncommon these days, and it will require persistence. But most of all it will require courage of conviction that the path walked is right and proper. It is far easier, and almost certainly more lucrative, to succumb to the wishes of the NRA and its lobby, but I implore you to hold the course for the good of the American people.

It is within our power to make America a better and safer place, and I ask that you do so now with all the power of your office.

Thank you for your time, and your service.

Respectfully,