Telling Daniel's story

Response to Congressman Tancredo
Tom responds to his Congressman, challenges him to watch video and explain position in person

 

June 20, 2004 (Father’s Day)

Dear Representative Tancredo ,

I was very disappointed to read your letter dated March 8, 2004 , in which you informed me you do not sup port the extension of the Assault Weapons Ban, which is set to expire this September. Do you have any idea how it feels as a Columbine parent to have your own Congressman want to see the return of guns like the TEC DC-9, which was used to mow down students at Columbine High School? Can you imagine how that feels?

Please note that I am not the only Columbine parent who sup ports extension of the Assault Weapons Ban. There are at least 13 parents/step parents of slain Columbine students (I’ve cc’d them on this letter) who sup port the ban, as follows:

 

  • Neal and Patricia DePooter
  • Joe and Ann Kechter
  • My wife Linda and I
  • Darrell Scott
  • Dawn Anna and Bruce Beck
  • Rick and Sue Townsend
  • Phyllis Velasquez
  • One parent who wishes to remain anonymous for personal reasons

Your letter indicated you believe the Assault Weapons Ban “has done little to prevent violent crime.” On what basis do you say that? How many lives should have been saved to satisfy you? Actually, the number of gun deaths has been in decline the past few years. Could that not be partially credited to the ban? How many assault weapon deaths would constitute a problem in your mind?

You said the ban created “impediments for law-abiding sportsmen, marksmen, and collectors wishing to obtain certain firearms misleadingly labeled as “assault weapons.”” Which of the 19 banned models that sportsmen are denied are legitimate hunting weapons? Please be specific.

Please tell me, would you call the Uzi, the AK-47 and the TEC DC9 “mistakenly labeled?” Do you think they are legitimate weapons with a useful purpose? If so, please tell me their useful purpose and who are the people so troubled because they don’t have access to them? I do not doubt there are collectors and shooters who’d “like” to have them for “fun.” But why do you have more concern for them than for potential victims of disturbed students, drug lords, abusive spouses, disgruntled workers and Timothy McVeigh wanna-bees?

You said “Contrary to popular belief, these so-called “assault weapons” are not machine guns, or automatic weapons.” Congressman, my letter never claimed these were automatics. So why are you presenting this red herring?

You said that “in many cases, these banned weapons use the same ammunition as weapons whose ownership is not restricted by the ban.” True, a 9mm bullet can be used in a variety of weapons. So what? The point here is the design of assault weapons. They are designed with features like a special grip that makes “spray shooting” easier and to prevent burns from hot barrels; they commonly have flash sup pressors to conceal one’s position, or a folding stock for concealment. They are military-type weapons designed for maximum killing, not for hunting or typical target shooting. They are not defensive weapons—they are intended to intimidate. That’s why they’re the favorite weapons of drug lords, gang members, armed militias, etc.

You said “The guns that proponents of the law seek to ban fire only once each time the trigger is pulled, like all legal firearms. Again, it is the features and usage of these guns that make them so dangerous. I am enclosing a video tape. It has a short piece on it showing the Columbine killers firing an assault weapon in the mountains, shortly before the Columbine massacre. Please watch that short piece (it’s shown twice) and tell me if you think that weapon is significantly less dangerous than a fully automatic. Tell me if you think the majority of people in your district would say there’s no reason to be concerned about allowing this kind of weapon to go back into production and sale and back onto our streets.

Also, as I’m sure you know, the ban also prohibits the manufacture and sale of ammunition magazines that hold over ten bullets. Can you tell me who needs such magazines for hunting or self defense?

You made a point of saying that “Senator Russell Feingold (D-Wisconsin) a past sup porter of the ban, recently voted against its extension in the Senate.” Because he’s originally voted for it, and is normally liberal in his voting, I sup pose you think I should be impressed by his vote. But, likewise, are you at all impressed by the fact that nine Republican senators voted to extend the assault weapons ban, and that President Bush sup ports it. Are they all wrong? Are you impressed by the fact that former Senator Barry Goldwater once said, “ "I don't see any reason why they ever made semiautomatics. I've been a member of the NRA, I collect, make and shoot guns. I've never used an automatic or semiautomatic for hunting. There's no need to. They have no place in anybody's arsenal.” (quote from the Washington Post)

You said you hope we can work together to make sure those who violate our laws are vigorously prosecuted. Congressman, punishment and justice is appropriate, but it’s not a lot of consolation for the parents of a slain child to have their child’s killer prosecuted for murder. It’s too late to bring them back. What they want is more prevention so that it never happens in the first place.

I’m asking you to join me in an act of prevention. I’m asking you to sup port the renewal of the assault weapons ban. In fact, as Columbine’s Congressman, I’m asking you to be a co-sponsor of the bill to extend it. I do NOT think that is asking too much of you. If you are unwilling to do so, then I’m requesting that you sit down and speak to myself and others who have lost loved ones to gunshots to explain your position. Given the impending expiration of the ban, it should obviously be soon. Are you willing to do so?

The videotape I’m enclosing also includes a short piece of a press conference I conducted along with Mayor Hickenlooper and the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police, in which we called on our Congressional delegation to sup port extension of the Assault Weapons Ban. Also, as I’m sure you know, President Bush sup ports extension of the ban. Why not you?

I await your response to my questions.

Sincerely,

Tom Mauser

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Daniel and Christie.


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