Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. form letter to constituent, 1999?

FIELD(letterdate) FIELD(nameline) FIELD(title) FIELD(organization 1 ) FIELD(organization2) FIELD(addressl) FIELD(address2) FIELD(address3) FIELD(address4) IFNOTBLANK(city)FIELD(city), FIELD(state) FIELD(zip9)ENDIF Dear FIELD(salutation2b): Thank you for contacting me regarding federal gun control legislation recently voted on in the House of Representatives. I appreciate learning of your viewpoint on this important issue. I support the rights of law abiding citizens to possess guns for a variety reasons, not the least of which is self defense. This view derives from my observation that many gun control initiatives have proven a failure in reducing crime. For example, in the case of the Colorado shootings, the two criminals responsible for the carnage broke nineteen state and federal laws in the preparation and commission of their crimes. Some of my constituents have written about gun control proposals which seek to restrict gun owners to purchasing one gun a month and a minimum three day waiting period. Previously, waiting periods were necessary in order to allow for background checks to be completed. The passage of the Brady Bill in 1994 brought new computerized national and local criminal arrest records. The criminal background of a potential gun purchaser can now be verified in a matter of minutes through the National Instant Check System (NICS). I believe the background investigation as initiated through the NICS is a reasonable check on gun ownership rights. As enumerated below, I support some new proposals brought to the floor during debate. For instance, I do not believe juveniles convicted of serious violent crimes should be allowed to acquire guns even after they turn twenty-one years of age. I support the imposition of harsh penalties for adults who provide guns to a juvenile with the knowledge the weapon will be used in a crime. I support programs which trace the source of firearms used in the commission of a crime. Convicted felons found in possession of any gun should be punished severely, with mandatory minimum sentences that cannot be plea bargained away. Further, I welcome positive initiatives that: