Paulsen, Emmer and Walz on gun control - letters to the strib

On Thursday, I called the D.C. office of U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen. I identified myself as a constituent, the mother of three children who attend public schools and a substitute teacher in those same schools. I said it’s time to stop with the “thoughts and prayers” and do something about guns.

The person on the other end tried to end the call, but I asked him to take more specific notes about policy measures I would expect the congressman to take, including ending the loopholes in gun-buying laws, retracting the concealed-carry reciprocity that he should not have voted for in the first place given Minnesota’s relatively strong laws and sending back contributions from the National Rifle Association so that he frees himself up to actually work on this problem.

I asked for my notes to be read back so that I’d be sure the message went through correctly. The staffer said, “You are in favor of stronger gun control.” I said: “Wait a minute, I gave you more detail than that.” He hung up on me.

Paulsen’s staffer hung up on me, a mom and teacher devastated by Wednesday’s news of a school shooting. And a constituent. He. Hung. Up.

Anne Holzman, Bloomington

• • •

As a resident of Minnesota’s Sixth Congressional District, I’ve elected to receive e-mail updates from U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer concerning issues he considers important to his constituents. These e-mails regularly espouse his concern for the sanctity of life and also the need for enhanced vetting of potential immigrants as a safeguard against criminal behavior. When I asked the staff member who answered the phone when the congressman would be introducing legislation for “enhanced vetting” for gun purchases that may help protect the sanctity of the lives of schoolchildren, I was told the situation was being “monitored.” Yes, monitored.

There is only one word for such negligence and inaction. Cowardice.

Todd Embury, Ramsey

• • •

Polls have long shown that the majority of Americans want common-sense gun controls — closing the gun-show loophole, more extensive background checks, limiting rounds in a magazine clip, rejecting armor-piercing bullets, etc.

The principle of common-sense gun control had long been embraced by Democrats and the Minnesota DFL.

But that principle was neatly and conveniently set aside when Minnesota Democrats made U.S. Rep. Tim Walz their caucus vote leader in the gubernatorial race. The same Tim Walz who gladly accepted money from the NRA and who proudly touted that organization’s A-plus rating.

If Walz has evolved on gun control — if he really feels the outrage of his fellow Americans — he should use his remaining months in Congress to reflect his evolution and reject everything the NRA now stands for. Failing to do that, he remains part of the problem and should not receive the DFL nomination.

Wes Davey, St. Paul

http://www.startribune.com/readers-write-florida-school-shooting/474234743/ (and scroll down)

Tim Walz?? He will have to make a major repair, I think