The following is the reply I received from Rep. Dave Loebsak. Like Senator Harkin's reply, it's much more tepid that I'd like, but Dave has to run again. I'd love one reply to say something like "the gun culture, not normal people who enjoy guns for sporting, but those who have a fixation or idolatry toward firearms, need to be told "no", we don't want that kind of country. We need some rational limits on firearms and access to them. The 2nd Amendment isn't an excuse for society drowning itself in the blood of innocents." Well, my fantasy. Now, here's Dave!
| Rep. Dave Loebsack
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Sat, Apr 6, 2013 at 12:32 AM
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To:
"Mr. Steve Greenleaf"
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David Loebsack
2nd District, Iowa
Committees:
Armed Services
Subcommittees:
Military Personnel
Readiness
Education and the Workforce
Subcommittees:
Health, Employment, Labor,
and Pensions
Higher Education and
Workforce Training
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Washington Office:
1527 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-6576
District Offices:
125 South Dubuque Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 351-0789
209 West 4th Street, #104
Davenport, IA 52801
(563) 323-5988
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April 5, 2013
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April 5, 2013
Mr. Steve Greenleaf
345 Magowan Avenue
Iowa City, IA 52246-3515
Dear Mr. Greenleaf,
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with
me. I'm honored to represent you. Your opinion is
very important to me and my priority is to provide Iowa's Second
District with the best representation possible.
Like you, I was shocked, troubled, and saddened when I heard the news of
the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School and the lives that
were needlessly cut short by this horrific and senseless act of
violence. As a father and grandfather, it is truly heart
wrenching to think of what their parents have been going
through. My wife Terry and I continue to send our thoughts
and prayers to the families and friends of the defenseless victims, and
to the entire Newtown community. Our thoughts, and the
thoughts of our entire nation, also go out to the first responders and
teachers who acted so heroically to protect the children.
While there are no quick fixes, it is time for our country to have a
national conversation about how to address the troubling frequency with
which lives have been cut short by senseless violence. I've
worked to support our police, firefighters, and first responders, and I
believe they, as well as all community leaders from all points of view
need to be part of this dialogue. Part of that conversation
needs to address mental health care and children's ever increasing
exposure to violence in our society without being taught the difference
between fiction and reality.
We must also look at ways to deal with military-style assault weapons
and extended clips that were designed for the
battlefield. While it is only one piece of a complex puzzle, I
believe we must also do more to keep these weapons out of the hands of
dangerous people. That is also why, in the 112th Congress, I
was a cosponsor of H.R. 308, the Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding
Device Act. This legislation would restore the prohibition on
the transfer or possession of large capacity ammunition feeding devices
in the United States.
When faced with such heartbreak and loss it is important that we put
aside politics and partisan bickering and come together as Americans to
ensure the safety of our children and our communities. That
is why I am meeting with and gathering input from Iowans, including law
enforcement, mental health care professionals, teachers and
administrators, and parents to discuss how to keep our kids
safe. I strongly believe that there is no higher priority
protecting our citizens and I am committed to working each and every day
to ensure that America never sees another tragedy like the one in
Newtown and that our families and loved ones are kept safe from
harm.
Thank you again for contacting me about this important
issue. My office is here to assist you with any and all
concerns you have, so please do not hesitate to contact me whenever you
feel that I can be of assistance. I encourage you to visit my
website at www.loebsack.house.gov
and sign up for my e-newsletters to stay informed of the work I'm doing
for you. I am proud to serve the Second District, and I am
committed to working hard for Iowans. |
Sincerely,
Dave Loebsack
Iowa's Second District
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DL/AK
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