Your Thoughts in MInd

 

Received via email: 

August 25, 2022     Dear Mr.[REDACTED]:   Thank you for reaching out to share your thoughts with me about the ATF Improvement and Modernization (AIM) Act (H.R. 8460). I appreciate you taking the time to contact me.   The gun violence epidemic is a uniquely American problem. Why is it that the U.S. has 4.4% of world's population, but has 42% of the guns in world? Why are you 25 times more likely to be a victim of gun violence in U.S. than in the rest of developed world? We can and should do more to protect Americans from gun violence.   It appears we disagree. We know that commonsense gun laws save lives. According to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, California has the best gun safety strength ranking in the country and among the lot rates of gun deaths. We need to do more as a nation to implement the best practices that have been proven to be effective at the local and state level all around the country.   I have also authored and sponsored dozens of pieces of legislation now as I serve in Congress and when I served in local and state office to put a stop to gun violence, including a national assault weapons ban, eliminating high-capacity magazines, creating a national red flag law, making background checks on gun sales mandatory, improving gun storage, incentivizing smart gun development, and more.   As you seem to know, H.R. 8460 would improve and modernize the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to strengthen gun safety in our communities. Should this bill be considered on the floor of the House of Representatives, I will be sure to keep your thoughts in mind.   Again, thank you for contacting me. If I may be of assistance to you in the future, please do not hesitate to contact my office.     Sincerely, Mark DeSaulnier Member of Congress