It didn't take me this long to get a top secret clearance in the military. And I worked around nukes!
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What would be the best way to go about writing your congressman? I’ve never done it. Email? By hand?
If your handwriting is like mine, you may want to type it out on a word document, print and sign by hand.
It goes without saying that it should be polite and professional.
Before you send the letter it's wise to have someone proof-read it. Just because you understand it doesn't mean that anyone else does. Have a thick skin and ask the proof-reader to be honest and use a red pen to mark the mistakes.
I don't want to disparage or insult anyone but even a polite and professional letter ought to be grammatically correct. And I also hate to sound like a grammar Nazi but I've seen too many forums where people use one continuous sentence without any punctuation, capitalization or correct spelling.
Remember that paragraphs are your friends. Put plenty of space between sentences that convey a different topic on the matter. In other words, use a separate paragraph when you are going on to a separate thought or topic.
Don't write a letter like you might type a short e-mail, text message or post on a forum.
Again, I apologize if it sounds like I am insulting anyone's intelligence but what and how you write leaves a lasting impression on someone.
If you are trying to convince a legislator, who's sitting on the fence regarding gun issues, then you aren't likely to impress them with sloppy writing. They may regard you as some stupid, uneducated, smelly red-neck that hates the government and is nothing but a hate-filled "bitter-clinger."
After you have written your letter, read it out loud and very slowly. If it doesn't sound right; then there is probably something wrong with it and needs corrected.
Another technique is to read the letter from the end - backwards. That sounds a little crazy but believe it or not you can find lots of mistakes that way.
Here are some links on how to write your legislators. Some of these links are from organizations that are usually hostile to gun owners. Nevertheless, what they say about writing a legislator is true.
Besides, they have been doing this for years and look at the make-up of congress. Let's use the same letter writing tactics that they have so effectively used for years against the gun control agenda that most of them promote.
Also keep in mind that what one person writes to their congressman about statistically represents what another 1000 constituents are thinking. Let that sink in. Your voice represents what a thousand other voters are thinking but aren't expressing. So if thirty people from the same congressional district write a congressman about the stupid NFA of 1934, that means that there are probably 30,000 voters in his or her district that feel the same way.
https://www.avma.org/Advocacy/Tools/Pages/letter-writing-tips.aspx
http://www.nea.org/home/19657.htm
http://www.ncsl.org/legislators-sta...l-staff/tips-for-writing-for-legislators.aspx
https://www.aclu.org/writing-your-elected-representatives
https://casls.uoregon.edu/roadmap/resources/data/TipsForWritingLegislators.pdf
https://www.thoughtco.com/write-effective-letters-to-congress-3322301
https://www.nlacrc.org/home/showdocument?id=272
That was a great post!
I will add that sticking to the facts and circumstances regarding the issue at hand (wait times, inefficiency, etc) is a solid move. Be factual and dispassionate.
Send separate letters for separate issues.
I always discourage sending letters to our representatives that are so packed with issues and topics that they start resembling a manifesto rather than a request for assistance.
I will add that sticking to the facts and circumstances regarding the issue at hand (wait times, inefficiency, etc) is a solid move. Be factual and dispassionate.
Send separate letters for separate issues.
I always discourage sending letters to our representatives that are so packed with issues and topics that they start resembling a manifesto rather than a request for assistance.
Well, they really can’t assist you but may be able to provide support for future opposition to even more stupid legislation. I’d drive home the point that it’s utterly ridiculous that you have to wait for this long and go through all of these checks for what is essentially hearing protection. I’d provide facts and statistical showing sound reduction compared to good hearing pro and how they can go hand in hand to provide more reduction etc. make it more about safety. That’s what it is. just make sure whatever you do that your argument is a good one with good grammar, as stated above.
They can't help in your individual case, that is true. We are trying to correct the process. If the rep or their staff start contacting the agency as well as keeping it at the forefront of conversations with the congressional liaisons from DOJ, FBI, and BATFE, the issue of inefficiency can get better.
This has been true with Social Security, TSA, and other gov programs. Fixing the inefficiency is easy for them, repealing the NFA is not.
This has been true with Social Security, TSA, and other gov programs. Fixing the inefficiency is easy for them, repealing the NFA is not.
Check cashed 5/29/18
Approved 3/4/19
Form 4 individual
Approved 3/4/19
Form 4 individual
Went to the range for Congical with my
4/20/18 purchases, 2 cans from the Q.
sounded really great, anyday now fvckface atf
4/20/18 purchases, 2 cans from the Q.
sounded really great, anyday now fvckface atf
Form 4 w/ SS Kiosk
TBAC Ultra 7 .30
Check cashed 05.14.2018
Approved 03.01.2019
Received 03.11.2019
TBAC Ultra 7 .30
Check cashed 05.14.2018
Approved 03.01.2019
Received 03.11.2019
Form 4 - May 27, 2018
Form 3 - July 2, 2018
Called this morning at 11:30 stamp arrived.
TBAC Ultra 9CB - 4th on trust from Silencer Shop
Form 3 - July 2, 2018
Called this morning at 11:30 stamp arrived.
TBAC Ultra 9CB - 4th on trust from Silencer Shop
I'm assuming that's your F4 submission date and your F3 approval date? Do you have to be a Texas resident for Silencer Shop to submit your F4 before your F3 clears?
The dates were taken off the website. And no, you don't have to live in Texas, this is my 4th from them and I live in AZ. Very easy (my wife would say too damn easy) to do business with. Took no time at all to set up the trust and I have a great dealer in Tucson that has handled the final paperwork. Going into town this morning and picking the can up.
Q Erector
Form 4 SS- Trust 1 RP
Check Cashed 05/09/2018
Stamp at Dealer 03/13/19
Form 4 SS- Trust 1 RP
Check Cashed 05/09/2018
Stamp at Dealer 03/13/19
10 months on single shot trust. Optimus Micro, picked it up yesterday. Previous one was from 4-18 til 12-18, also SS trust.
They owe you big time. They neither make it right or walk out and never set foot in there again.
I was going to update my old post, but it's buried back there. So, here's the scoop.
Form 4 individual SS
Check cashed 5/23/2018
Approved 3/5/2019
Stamp to dealer/picked up 3/15/2019
296 days
Form 4 individual SS
Check cashed 5/23/2018
Approved 3/5/2019
Stamp to dealer/picked up 3/15/2019
296 days
This while thread just makes me sad.... I need another one and am not this patient
My dealer just called last night to tell me the stamps arrived for my Rugged Obsidian 9 and Griffin Paladin. Both of them had the checks cashed 5-27-18.
I just wish they could bring back eforms - I got a form 1 approved today, submitted Feb 26, 2019. Under 3 weeks, not too shabby. I think suppressor sales would skyrocket if we had turn-around times like this. Next form 4 that should be approved had the check cashed July 9, 2018, so I still have a ways to go...
Nah. Increased sales means increased Tax stamps which gives them increased revenue. And Big Government loves their Revenue.
If I can purchase a firearm, via NICS, and unless they say no, I can pick it up in 3 days.
It's stupid to think that they can't do this with a suppressor. Take my $200 but if they don't say no, I ought to be able to pick it up in 3 days.
That would make too much sense and scare the hell out of our commissars who can't stand to see the plebeians armed.
It's stupid to think that they can't do this with a suppressor. Take my $200 but if they don't say no, I ought to be able to pick it up in 3 days.
That would make too much sense and scare the hell out of our commissars who can't stand to see the plebeians armed.
I called today, knowing it wouldn't be done since it was accepted on October 23rd, but figured why not.
Nice lady informed me it is still processing but their average wait time is now at 9 months.
That's better than last time when the woman told me they don't track average wait times.
ETA: They also answered immediately. I pressed 1, then 1 again and it rang half a rang and she answered.
Nice lady informed me it is still processing but their average wait time is now at 9 months.
That's better than last time when the woman told me they don't track average wait times.
ETA: They also answered immediately. I pressed 1, then 1 again and it rang half a rang and she answered.
The wait times are a joke. Pic up folder. Run nics check. Put on hold send ya to the FBI. If cleared send the damn stamp. Just my two cents lol. Not grumpy or anything about the 3 in jail right now.
Oh I know. I was just commenting on the fact that I immediately got a person, she was nice and helpful and actually gave me information.
Believe me I wish it was quicker so I could get the 2 others I'm about to purchase in a timely manor
Some of the people you talk to are nicer. But I imagine after thousands of phone calls asking the exact same question they get to the point where it's an automated response to them. They may or may not understand the frustration. Just doing the job the government tells them to do. Hopefully they hire the additional examiners they were budgeting for this year and get to the 90 day turn around time they are trying to achieve.
::sigh::
I actually just talked to my examiner about my Form 4 Trust. Check was cashed 1/2018. She told me that it's still Pending at the FBI and that they are now working on those submitted to them from Aug 2018. The real kicker here...she said the FBI 'purged' their system last fall and that she resubmitted mine in October. I'm mean...WHHAAAT? So discouraging.
I actually just talked to my examiner about my Form 4 Trust. Check was cashed 1/2018. She told me that it's still Pending at the FBI and that they are now working on those submitted to them from Aug 2018. The real kicker here...she said the FBI 'purged' their system last fall and that she resubmitted mine in October. I'm mean...WHHAAAT? So discouraging.
Being someone who submitted in September that’s great news but over all that’s just disgusting.
Did she say why the FBI "purged" their system?
Let me guess; they wanted to get rid of all the incriminating evidence on HRC, and delete more texts between Peter Stzrok and Lisa Page.
LOL! WElcome to gov't SEIU protected workers. In the civilian economy, money increases speed. In the government, it slows it down. Easy times breeds sloth and complacency in the government, and resistance to change the "subway sandwich making line" process they have in place that keeps everyone employed and "essential" personnel.
Form 4
Silencerco warlock 2
Purchased 3/31/18
Check cashed 5/8/18
Approved 3/13/19
I'm still waiting for the stamp to arrive at the dealer. This is the home stretch
1 down, 1 to go. Hopefully the Ultra 9 will be really mid summer
Silencerco warlock 2
Purchased 3/31/18
Check cashed 5/8/18
Approved 3/13/19
I'm still waiting for the stamp to arrive at the dealer. This is the home stretch
1 down, 1 to go. Hopefully the Ultra 9 will be really mid summer
Obsidian 45
Entity: SS Trust
Check cashed: 5/23/18
Pending: 05/25/18
Approved: 03/9/19
Stamp in hand: 3/18/19
290 days from check cashed to approved.
Entity: SS Trust
Check cashed: 5/23/18
Pending: 05/25/18
Approved: 03/9/19
Stamp in hand: 3/18/19
290 days from check cashed to approved.
Similar threads
Suppressors
Form 4, no ATF signature
