Reader J.K. emails:
I am not a political person by nature, I don’t typically jump up and shout my opinion on many things going on in Washington, DC because it is not in my nature. Also, being in the military, it would not be a good thing to develop opinions about politicians who may some day become my Commander-In-Chief. That’s not to say that I don’t exercise my right to vote, I definitely do, I just try to not get overly emotional about political issues. However, this latest crusade by Senator Feinstein really has me fired up. I have sent the following . . .
Senator _______ ,
I am a Lieutenant in the US Navy, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, a Florida resident and am currently stationed in Washington DC. I have dedicated the last 10 years of my life to protecting this nation, and plan to make that a total of 24 before I retire.
I am vehemently opposed to the 2013 Feinstein Assault Weapons legislation, and while I know you are a busy man, please continue reading to find out why. I am concerned that even Senator Feinstein knows that the bill will not pass as it is proposed, and this initial proposal is merely being used as a bargaining tactic to “soften the blow” and “show compromise” on later proposals that would still infringe upon our rights.
The oath I took when I was commissioned is very similar to the one that you have taken, and I consider that a very important promise to this great nation…not merely words to be repeated as a formality to taking an appointed/elected position as it appears some of your colleagues seem to treat it. Specifically, I would direct your attention to the following section:
I, [name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion…
The Second Amendment of the Constitution we have both sworn to support and defend states that “the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”
We are at a crossroads right now after the tragedy in Connecticut. There are colleagues of yours that will use the fear, emotion, and television air-time brought on by this tragedy to further their own political motivations.
This country is facing much bigger issues than those that Senator Feinstein is trying to address. And the bill that she is proposing would not have done anything to stop the tragedy in CT, as many of those laws were already in place in that state. It is unfortunate, but criminals break laws and infringing upon the rights of law-abiding citizens is not the way to prevent tragedies like the one in Newtown.
To quote one of your fellow Senators (Senator Kelly Ayotte), “Denying the Second Amendment rights of law abiding citizens will not change the behavior of those intent on using firearms to commit horrific crimes.”
I hope that you would keep the promise that you made to this nation when you took your oath, as I intend to keep mine. I trust that you will oppose all proposals that will infringe upon the rights granted to us in the Constitution. If you are a man of honor and keep the promise that you made to this nation, then you can count on my vote in the next election.
If, however, you choose not to uphold a right granted in the Constitution, I will find a representative that is more deserving of my vote that can uphold the oath that they make to this nation to defend the Constitution.
Very respectfully,
J.K.
Lieutenant, United States Navy