Email to Sen. Johanns:
Senator Johanns,
I recently received your letter dated February 8, 2013 regarding your thoughts on gun control.
H.R. 3355 well known as the "Assault Weapons Ban" of 1994 (actually a violent crime bill)is a historical example of what the current gun control proposals are all about. If you would, take some time to review that bill. Notice how little of it actually addresses "assault weapons". This quick reference of history not only shows involvement of the CDC to study violent crime and final studies showed little impact on violent crime caused by the reduction of "assault weapons". More importantly is the fact that H.R.3355 is a pretty fat bill with a very fat price tag. Anyone of marginal common sense can see that although firearms got the credit, the bill was a huge government spending spree. In a time when government spending is out of control, it is important to not loose view of how emotional subjects are propagandized and used in simplistic terms to pass a bill of huge spending. Although the effort appears noble, there is obviously individuals, companies and various entities making great gain from this emotion. In other words, citizens are tricked to believe that something is being done for a certain issue, when instead a lot of spending is hidden into some bill. This is a root problem with how legislation hides spending in every possible nook and cranny or alters other legistlation that suits the need of the day.
As a member of the NRA, GOA and the Nebraska Firearm Owners Association (NFOA)I carefully watch legistlation in this country and pass what I find to other equally concerned citizens. We are watching closely and will do what is necessary to shape the future of government based on how thing go for our Second Ammendment Right.
In your letter, you mentioned the January 16th, 2013 Presidental proposals and executive orders. I am well aware of these proposals and infact reported them to you in my last correspondence. It is unreasonable for government to determine what style of appearance of firearm I can possess for my self defense. It is clear that my personal defense is not guaranteed (Supreme Court decision). It is unreasonable that anyone can determine how many rounds my firearms can hold when my personal defense can not be guaranteed. I have complied with Nebraska law to pass a background check to aquire a Nebraska firearms purchase permit in order to exercise my Second Amendment Right. I have complied with training requirement and will apply for my Nebraska CCW permit to legally exercise my Second Amendment Right. I have been a Nebraska resident for over 30 years and it still amazes me how much it costs and how many laws limit my Second Ammendment Right. I am not sure that our U.S. Government or Nebraska Government understand the concept of a "Right". In any case, the Presidential proposal proves my concern that gun control will be used to spend at least $4.5 billion as you pointed out. It is obvious by many state level legistlation that many are preparing for the money in advance.
Although you indicated you do not serve on the Senate Judiciiary Committee, I do expect your efforts in preventing any firearm bans, magazine limits or other efforts to take away individual freedom. Law abiding firearm owners are NOT criminals and should not be punished for government failure to deal with criminals.
In your letter, you acknowledged that hunters, gun collectors and sportsmen take seriously the responsibility of owning a firearm. You failed to recognize the element of personal defense as it applies to the Second Amendment right.
All effort needs to prevent another HR 3355 from being passed.