Reply Letter from Senator Tester

[steelslaver]

A while back there were several gun bills in front of the house and senate. I wrote my congressmen, especially Senator Testor, who is our lone Democrat, imploring him to vote for the will of Montanans and not his party.

His Reply:

Thank you for contacting me about gun control legislation. I am a gun owner and a proud defender of Montanans' Second Amendment rights.

I believe Congress must respect the constitutional right to bear arms for law-abiding citizens. That is why I have consistently voted against any type of database or registry of gun owners, and opposed legislation that would prevent an individual from purchasing or possessing firearms without meaningful due process. I also have broken with my party to oppose banning assault weapons.

We can keep our communities safe while also protecting the rights of law-abiding gun owners. As your Senator, I will continue to hold Washington accountable and defend the Second Amendment rights of responsible gun owners. Please don't hesitate to contact me again if I can be of further assistance.


Sincerely,

Jon Tester
United States Senator

I think this dropped from sight because they knew they could not pass it in the Senate. I do wonder why it took so long for him to reply. Maybe waiting for it to be a dead issue before he actually announced a stance. I do notice it is a typically waltzes a bit and never actually addresses the all sales though FFL laws, but sounds pretty firm on assault weapons.

 

[glowe]

I wish people who know firearms, would stop calling a civilian owned semi-auto rifle an assault weapon!!!!!!!!

 

[SAFireman]

What a boring canned response....with Montana being so small (population wise), you would think that he could round up a staffer for a decent reply. Or, maybe, he got so many emails like yours that he was overwhelmed and that letter content was the result?

 

[Truckman]

I wish people who know firearms, would stop calling a civilian owned semi-auto rifle an assault weapon!!!!!!!!

Agreed...Neither should any firearm be called a weapon until it is used as one...Until then is a gun, rifle, pistol, revolver, etc...We don't read in the newspaper of bricks, crescent wrenches and Buicks referred to as "weapons" when they are involved in an assault...That distinction is reserved by the unknowing news writers for firearms strictly because it instills in the public mind a connotation with guns as being intended for only evil purposes......Ben

 

[steelslaver]

When a US Senator who is a democrat is saying this "I also have broken with my party to oppose banning assault weapons." I don't mind it near as bad as the statements of the rest.

I have never got a reply from a congressman or woman that wasn't pretty boring and carefully constructed. At least he was on subject. Often the reply is some form letter that was designed for a subject somewhat related to my point.

Case in point. I once wrote to all the Washington state congress people while living there. My subject was my belief that all US veterans should always get Veterans day off as a paid holiday. All tthe replies were somewhat similar letters pronouncing their beliefs and hard work on VA benefits. None actually focused on my Veterans day issue.

 

[shocker]

None actually focused on my Veterans day issue.

Astute politicians will always turn the question asked into the question they want to answer.
They also keep their options open. No today could be yes tomorrow.

 

[ladder13]

What legislation offered on banning semi autos has he opposed on the record?

He’s pretty much in lockstep with his party on most legislation, judicial nominees, etc.

 

[BC38]

Pooh pooh it all you want, but some of us would be thrilled with a response like that from any of the Democrats representing our states in DC!

My local House member (Cathy McMorris-Rogers) would give a response as good or better than Senator Tester. So would either of the other two Republicans from Washington in DC. The seven Democrats in the House and the two in the Senate wouldn't even pretend to support the 2nd Amendment. I've sent letters to both of my sentators (Murray and Cantwell) and received nothing but "public safety" pap-drivel in return. Total waste of time.

So be glad if contacting yours is more productive.

 

[Llance]

To a person in congress (house or senate) a phone call or email is the opinion of 5 people, you and four others. And likely those four others are family members. A written letter (hard copy) is considered to be the opinion of 15 people you and 14 others. (ten strangers, not of your household) A visit to his or her office represents you and about 49 others.

If you really want his or her attention stop in and say (be able to back yourself up cuz they will ask) I represent, you pick a proper number, members of such and such town, city, org, etc..

One time many years ago i stopped it to see my senators Maggie and Scoop. As i did not have proper civilian clothes i was forced to wear my uniform. CG Blues. After i was done talking about the situation (which was going to effect all Coasties) a staffer took me aside and asked me if i knew what i had just done. Da, seen my senator? Yes, you saw your senator but you also brought in the 35,500+ Coast Guardsmen with you. and in addition you also brought in one half of your states population because they also have an interest in seeing the Coast Guard is well cared for. In addition to that when we went to see Maggie you added the other half of the state because they represent the whole of the state of Washington. It was not your intention to do so but by bringing the issue to us and doing so in uniform that is the effect you have had. I can guarantee, you have lit a fire that will not be easily put out. Well done.
I got the well done by several other staffers too.

Make your voice heard and make it heard loudly because voices matter. And the more voices you can cram into your visit/letter the better they listen and respond.

Llance

 

[steelslaver]

His gun vote record show on guns he voted more in line with Republicans than Dems

The Voter's Self Defense System - Vote Smart
He had a pretty good rating from the NRA until his recent votes against Supreme court nominees


Thing is he knows a vote for a gun control bill will hurt him politically in Montana.

 

[Roofuss]

I live in western Montana, and both myself, and my wife sent emails to Tester and we both got the exact same { word for word } rubber stamped form response that Steelslaver received . Tester is a liberal Democrat that is in Pelosi & Schumer back pocket, and don't trust him one bit !

 

[Pisgah]

One of these days some of those Washington knot-heads will realize that essentially all the anti-2A blather makes them the greatest gun salespeople in history! Manufacturers ought to give them a cut of the profits...

 

[steelslaver]

The very fact that he has a form letter for this shows he gets enough mail to need one. I am not a Tester fan. He does need to get lots of mail on such subjects to let him know it will cost him lots of votes if he votes for any anti gun legislation.

 

[Roofuss]

The very fact that he has a form letter for this shows he gets enough mail to need one. I am not a Tester fan. He does need to get lots of mail on such subjects to let him know it will cost him lots of votes if he votes for any anti gun legislation.

Agreed, but time will tell. Hoping he gets booted out at the next election.

 

[smithra_66]

I live in western Montana, and both myself, and my wife sent emails to Tester and we both got the exact same { word for word } rubber stamped form response that Steelslaver received . Tester is a liberal Democrat that is in Pelosi & Schumer back pocket, and don't trust him one bit !

Correct. He'll vote whatever way the powers that be in the Dem party (i.e. san fran and NY nut jobs) want him to vote, while saying what he can to win elections in Montana.

 

[GT_80]

I get form letters from my senators- staunch liberal democrats that vote opposite my wishes on everything. I make sure I send them every letter from FPC and other organizations that I can just to annoy them