Be sure to include your mailing address on the envelope, and add or subtract whatever you wish to make this your own personal letter.
You may copy and paste from the text below or download the sample letter as a Microsoft Word document.
Dear ________________ (candidate),
I am writing to express my concern that, so far in your campaign for the office of ________________ , I have heard no mention of a plan that would address the issue of gun violence in our________________ (city/state/etc).
There are more than 30,000 gun deaths each year in America, and at least twice as many non-fatal gunshot wounds that require emergency medical treatment. The rate of gun deaths among America’s children is 12 times higher than those of the 25 other wealthiest nations combined. Medical and social costs of this epidemic are estimated at $100 billion annually; half of these costs are borne by taxpayers. While I recognize that the reasons for this appalling crisis are many, and that economic, educational, societal, and political contributing factors will take many years to change, I refuse to accept that silence and inaction are the appropriate stance for any viable political candidate to take.
I am not questioning second amendment rights, or guns used for hunting, or shooting as sport; I am asking what your position is on how we can work together to reduce the gun violence that is so prevalent in our society. I believe that we have a moral obligation to take specific action on handgun control as quickly as possible.
Studies show that where gun registration is not required, gun deaths are significantly higher, yet we make it easy for criminals to purchase guns of all description, and children and youth receive less protection from gunfire than from their toy trucks. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms has identified gun shows as a primary source of firearms for criminals, yet up to 50% of the gun sellers at the more than 4,000 gun shows held each year in the U.S. operate without licenses. While tougher laws on straw purchases, background checks, licensing, and registration of guns may not completely eradicate the gun culture so prevalent in our society, they are all proven methods in significantly lowering the rate of criminal and accidental death and injury by guns.
I urge you to actively address the issue of gun violence. We need to hear your plan. I propose debate on these and other questions:
- Are you in favor of gun registration?
- Do you believe in the licensing of handguns?
- Do you have any ideas for making our streets, our children’s schools, our college campuses, indeed, our own front yards, places of safety once again?
You have an opportunity to make a difference from a position of political power; I trust that you realize the necessity of taking aggressive action to reduce the number of senseless deaths by insisting on laws that protect people and not criminals.
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
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