[BarryLee]

I finally got a response back from Senator Johnny Isakson to a letter I sent in January. Overall it sounds pretty good and he seems to feel Sen. Feinstein’s bill will not pass “Congress”. So, not sure if this means he thinks it could pass the Senate, but not the House or if I’m just reading too much into his statement.

Also, he mentions that he supports focusing on mental health issues and backgrounds checks. He provided no more detail, so those of us in Georgia may need to contact him in regards to our feelings in those two areas. Anyway, overall his response was pretty positive.


Dear Mr. BarryLee:

Thank you for contacting me regarding a proposed ban on assault weapons. I apologize for the delay in responding. My office has experienced a significant increase in the volume of incoming mail, but please know your concerns were taken into consideration at the time your letter was first received. I appreciate your thoughts, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to respond.

Sen. Feinstein (D-CA), author of the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban that expired in 2004, has introduced a new bill to ban assault weapons. This legislation would stop the sale, transfer, importation and manufacturing of more than 100 specifically-named firearms as well as certain semiautomatic rifles, handguns and shotguns that can accept a detachable magazine and semiautomatic rifles and handguns with a fixed magazine that can accept more than 10 rounds. Sen. Feinstein's bill also would stop the sale, transfer, importation and manufacturing of large-capacity ammunition feeding devices (magazines, strips and drums) capable of accepting more than 10 rounds.

I do not believe that bans on assault weapons or cartridges are the answer to ending acts of mass violence, nor will such measures pass Congress. As history shows us, the 10-year ban on assault weapons that was in effect from 1994 to 2004 could not prevent the mass shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. The common threads running through these shootings are mental health issues. I believe that more effective and sensible solutions are those that focus on background checks and mental health care, rather than restrictions on our Second Amendment right to bear arms. I look forward to working for commonsense solutions that keep our children safe without infringing upon our Constitutional rights.

Sincerely,
Johnny Isakson
United States Senator