JEFF SESSIONS

ALABAMA

COMMITTEES: BUDGET Ranking Member

United States

JUDICIARY ARMED SERVICES ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS

WASHINGTON, DC 20510-0104

July 20, 2012

Mr. Tom Gordon 103042nd Streets Birmingham, Alabama 35222 Dear Mr. Gordon: Thank you for contacting me regarding your support for stricter gun control laws in response to the shooting in Aurora, Colorado. This has been a trying time for the victims and families involved in this incident, and my prayers and sympathies are with them. As you mention in your letter, Congress and federal officials often respond to tragic events by imposing new laws and regulations that restrict gun ownership. I do not believe the solution here is to create new laws. Instead, we should focus on enforcing existing laws, and turn our attention to criminals who obtain or use guns illegally. For example, under current law, there is a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years for discharging a firearm in relation to any crime of violence and a maximum penalty of death for criminals convicted for first-degree murder. James Holmes, the shooter involved in the Colorado tragedy, is facing two first-degree murder charges for each of the 12 people killed and two attempted first-degree murder charges for each of the 58 people injured during the shooting. I firmly believe we must use the many legal authorities currently available to hold criminals accountable rather than legislate to the detriment of law-abiding citizens. Imposing stricter regulations will not keep guns out of the hands of criminals, who, by definition, do not comply with the law. Instead, such laws will only further penalize all Americans for the rogue actions of the few. Nevertheless, I appreciate you bringing your concerns to my attention, and I will keep your thoughts in mind. Thank you again for writing. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any additional questions or comments that you might have.

Very truly yours,

ssions United States Senator JS:kl

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