Mine sent me this - after I contacted her.
March 11, 2021
Dear XXXXXXX,
Thank you for contacting me to express your thoughts on gun control. I appreciate you taking the time to share your views with me.
I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and responsible gun ownership. Before serving in Congress, I oversaw licensing for hunting and sport at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. I know that responsible gun ownership is a part of our tradition here in Iowa. I am also a mom, and every time I hear of another school shooting, I am reminded of parents who have had to endure pain no parent should have to endure. Congress has a responsibility to make sure we’re keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous people while still protecting the Second Amendment.
That’s why I supported bipartisan, commonsense measures this Congress – to make sure that guns are bought and sold safely, and that we prevent guns from being possessed by dangerous, distressed individuals. This included a pair of bills that would expand and strengthen background checks: the Bipartisan Background Checks Act and the Enhanced Background Checks Act. If we are serious about keeping guns away from people who cannot legally own them, we must have strong background checks that enforce these laws.
These bills close two loopholes in existing federal law. Currently, unlicensed sellers are permitted to sell guns without conducting a background check, sometimes referred to as the Gun Show Loophole. Sellers are also permitted to “default to proceed” on a sale if a background check is not completed in three days, which has been called the Charleston Loophole. The Bipartisan Background Checks Act closes the Gun Show Loophole by prohibiting any person without a license to transfer a gun to another unlicensed person without a background check. And the Enhanced Background Checks Act extends the background check period, providing time to complete background checks on individuals requiring additional review while maintaining a quick, efficient process for law-abiding gun owners.
I am also proud to have voted to pass the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019. This legislation would improve services provided for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking – including prohibiting individuals subject to a temporary court order for these crimes from possessing a firearm. People impacted by intimate partner violence should never have to fear for their lives because they took action. That’s why it is important that alleged perpetrators are kept away from firearms that make these situations more dangerous for victims, their families, and their loved ones.
By encouraging responsible ownership and keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals, we can help protect our communities, our families, and our children from gun violence. I will continue to keep your concerns in mind as the House of Representatives considers any other legislation that may impact gun ownership in America.
Thank you again for contacting my office. Please keep in touch with any additional questions or comments by emailing me at
https://axne.house.gov/contact. If you would like to receive regular updates from me, please visit
https://axne.house.gov/contact/newsletter to sign up for my e-newsletter.
Sincerely,
Cindy Axne
Member of Congress