READER’S EDITORIAL: WILL YOU JOIN ME AS A CITIZEN CO-SPONSOR OF MY BILL BANNING ASSAULT WEAPONS?
By Senator Dianne Feinstein
December 20, 2012 (Washington D.C.)--Enough is enough. Of the 11 deadliest shootings in American history, five have happened since 2007.¹ My heart breaks for the grieving families in Newtown and across the country. They deserve our deepest condolences, but also our determined action to end these atrocities.
I sponsored the original ban on assault weapons back in 1994 -- which expired in 2004 -- and last weekend I announced that I will introduce legislation to renew the ban on the first day of the new Congress. I would be honored if you would join me as a citizen co-sponsor of the new bill. Will you?
I was heartened when I found out that more than 11,000 of you share my vision and have already expressed support for a similar approach. Please take the next step and join me as a citizen co-sponsor so we can work together.
I don’t take these things lightly. As I survey the field, I know I will need your help as I mount this campaign. We need a mass movement that can make calls, write letters, and mobilize your fellow citizens at a moment’s notice if we’re going to win this battle.
Join me as a citizen co-sponsor.
My new bill will ban the sale, transfer, and importation of assault weapons, and it will do the same to big clips, drums or strips of more than 10 bullets. I've been working to take my original bill from 1994 and perfect it. I think this new bill will be even more effective.
Our argument is simple. Civilians do not need assault weapons. The only members of society who do are soldiers and highly trained law enforcement. Otherwise, they have only one use: mass murder. I know the gun lobby will do all they can to stop this bill, but I was reelected to the Senate because I stand on principle. I’m not afraid of a fight. And neither is President Obama, who just reiterated his support for renewing the assault weapons ban.
Are you with us? If so, we can ban assault weapons, and this time, make it stick.
The opinions in this editorial reflect the views of its author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. To submit an editorial for consideration, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.