Dear , I am in my seventh decade of life, and I have never been robbed at gunpoint, or shot, or been physically assaulted.

I guess I am fortunate in that regard, but I cannot say the same about the victims of the recent mass shooting in Aurora, Colo., or those victims of the shooting that took place less than an hour down the road in Tuscaloosa. I have never owned a gun, never hunted, only fished. I have friends who do hunt, and know people who target shoot in clubs, and they handle their weapons responsibly. But I am sad to say that I know, as you do, of horrific shootings have happened throughout our country over the years - more than 20 people killed by a lone gunman at a restaurant in Texas; 13 killed at Colombine High School in Colorado, 32 killed at Virginia Tech, and now, at least 12 killed in Aurora. There have been other episodes where the death toll has been lower - the six dead in Tucson comes to mind - but the pattern seems to be the same: something snaps inside one or more troubled human beings who have access to lethal weapons, and other people, many of them complete strangers to the perpetrator, die as a result. During my career as a newspaper reporter, I covered a few of these as part of my work. I assume I am like some other citizens in how I feel, but I am frustrated with our government's inability to deal courageously, transparently and forthrightly with many pressing issues that beset our nation, and firearms violence is one of those issues. Now, I certainly do not think any governing body can change minds and hearts by passing one law here or another there, but I can't help but believe that we ought to try to make our citizens more secure by doing something to keep firearms, particularly high powered ones, out of the hands of human time bombs. I would like to know what you think about this. I'll bet that friends and loved ones of the Aurora shooting victims are asking their elected representatives the same question. I also think this issue is so important that I may share what you say with a larger audience. Sincerely,

Tom Gordon 1030 42nd St. South Birmingham, AL 35222

RICHARD SHELBY
ALABAMA RANKING MEMBER COMMITTEE ON BANKING, HOUSING, & URBAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS RANKING MEMBER SUBCOMMITTEE ON LABOR, HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES, EDUCATION & RELATED AGENCIES COMMITTEE ON RULES & ADMINISTRATION SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON AGING 304 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON, DC 20510-0103 (202)224-5744

STATE OFFICES:
O 1800 FIFTH AVENUE NORTH 321 FEDERAL BUILDING BIRMINGHAM, AL 35203 (205| 731-1384 O HUNTSVILLE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 1000 GLENN HEARN BOULEVARD Box20127 HUNTSVILLE, AL 35824 (2561772-0460 O 113 SAINT JOSEPH STREET 445 U.S. COURTHOUSE MOBILE, AL 36602 (251)694-4164 O 15 LEE STREET FMJ FEDERAL BLDG., SUITE 208 MONTGOMERY, AL 36104 (334)223-7303

Bnited States
WASHINGTON, DC 20510-0103

August 2, 2012

Mr. Tom Gordon 1030 42nd Street South Birmingham, Alabama 35222-4230 Dear Mr. Gordon: Thank you for taking the time to contact me. appreciate hearing from my cor.otituentc.

O 2005 UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD, SUITE 2100 TuSCALOOSA, AL 35401 (205)759-5047

I always

I was shocked and saddened to hear news of the recent tragic shooting in Aurora, Colorado, and I wish all the survivors a swift and full recovery. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who were lost. This senseless act of violence was not an indictment of America's precious Second Amendment rights. This was a crime perpetrated by a single, seriously disturbed individual. It was a terrible tragedy, but unfortunately there are irrational people everywhere. We must not make policy based upon the actions of a madman because such a response will only lend undue legitimacy to this attack. I believe the on-going attempts by some individuals in Congress to use this senseless crime for political advantage by enacting restrictive gun control laws are unseemly. Senator Lautenberg's recently proposed S.Amdt.2575, which seeks to prohibit the transfer or possession of large capacity ammunition devices, is one such example. Any attempt to use this tragedy to riqnu or citizens to bear ar;ri3 )iatant infringement of their Second Amendment rights and clearly contrary to our forefathers' wise vision for our nation. To combat crime in our communities, we need stronger penalties - not restrictive gun control measures. Individuals who commit crimes with firearms should be dealt with quickly and effectively. I support the death penalty and imprisonment without parole. We must ensure that criminals are held accountable for their actions, and that they receive swift and certain punishment commensurate with their crimes. Please be assured that I will keep your thoughts in mind as I continue to closely monitor this situation and any possible congressional responses.

http://shelby.senate.gov/

SPENCER BACHUS
GTH DISTRICT, ALABAMA COMMITTEE: FINANCIAL SERVICES
CHAIRMAN

2246 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON, DC 20515 (202} 225-^1921 1900 INTERNATIONAL PARK DRIVE SUITE 107 BIRMINGHAM, AL 35243 12051 969-2296 703 SECOND AVENUE NORTH
P.O.

Congress of tfje Untteb

of &epreentattbe
August 27, 2012

BOX 502

CLANTON, AL 35046 (205I280-0704 http://bachus.house.gov

Mr. Tom Gordon 1030 42nd Street South Birmingham, AL 35222-4230 Dear Mr. Gordon, Thank you for contacting me in the wake of the shooting in Aurora, Colorado. My deepest sympathies go out to those affected by this senseless tragedy. As the authorities continue to investigate this violent act, it is my hope that methods will be evaluated to prevent such tragedies in the future. It was good to hear from you. Please feel free to contact me any time you have an issue of concern before Congress. Also, do not hesitate to visit my website at bachus.house.gov and sign up for my e-newsletter to receive updates from Washington. It is an honor to serve as your United States Representative. Sincerely,

Spencer Bachus Member of Congress STB/bm

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TERRI A. SEWELL 7TH DISTRICT, ALABAMA HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE SUBCOMMITTEE ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT, RESEARCH, BIOTECHNOLOGY, AND FOREIGN AGRICULTURE SUBCOMMITTEE ON GENERAL FARM COMMODITIES AND RISK MANAGEMENT HOUSE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, SPACE, AND TECHNOLOGY SUBCOMMITTEE ON SPACE AND AERONAUTICS SUBCOMMITTEE ON RESEARCH AND SCIENCE EDUCATION SENIOR WHIP irn ^ AugUSt 2, 2012

1133 LONGWORTH HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON, DC 20515 PHONE: (202) 225-2665 FAX: (202) 226-9567

Congress of tfje fflmteb States?

ot JXeprestentattbes.
^SUftSttltnOCtOlT iQ(L 20olO0107

Tom Gordon 1030 42nd Street South Birmingham, AL 35222-4230 Dear Tom: Thank you for contacting my office regarding 2nd Amendment rights. Your thoughts and opinions about this issue are very important to me, and I very much appreciate your input. First, please know that I share your sentiments about the recent mass shooting in both Aurora and in our local community of Tuscaloosa. Although I am a supporter of common sense gun laws, I believe that existing gun laws should be strictly enforced. We need to develop a comprehensive and balanced approach, one that keeps our communities safe, protects our 2nd Amendment rights, and ensures that Americans continue to enjoy the right to bear arms. As the representative for Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I will continue to work with diligence and persistence to protect our communities and the legitimate rights of law-abiding American gun owners. Moving forward, I will continue to keep your thoughts and opinions in mind on this and other related issues. Once again, thank you for contacting my office. I look forward to hearing from you in the future on this and other issues of importance to our community, the state of Alabama, and our nation. Sincerely,

Terri Sewell Member of Congress

BIRMINGHAM

DEMOPOLIS

LIVINGSTON

MARION

SELMA

TUSCALOOSA

Two 20TH STREET NORTH SuiTE#1130 BIRMINGHAM, AL 35203 PHONE: (205) 254-1960 FAX: (205)254-1974

186 FIELD OF DREAMS DRIVE DEMOPOLIS, AL 36732 PHONE: (334) 287-0860 FAX: (334) 287-0870

205 NORTH WASHINGTON STREET UWA STATION 40 WEBB HALL 236-237 LIVINGSTON, AL 35470-2099 PHONE: (205) 652-5834 FAX: (205) 652-5935

300 WASHINGTON STREET MARION, AL 36756-2336 PHONE: (334) 683-2157 FAX: (334) 683-2201

908 ALABAMA AVENUE FEDERAL BUILDING, SUITE 112 SELMA, AL 36701 PHONE: (334) 877-4414 FAX: (334) 877-4489

2501 7TH STREET SUITE 300 TUSCALOOSA, AL 35401 PHONE: (205) 752-5380 FAX: (205) 752-5899

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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

BIRMINGHAM
341 VANCE FEDERAL BUILDING 1800 FIFTH AVENUE NORTH BIRMINGHAM. AL 35203-21 71 (2051 73'. I 500

HUNTSVILLE
REGIONS CENTER, SUITE 802 200 CLINTON AVENUE. N W HUNTSVILLE. AL 35801 4932 (258) 533-0979

MOBILE
BBST CENTRE SUITE 2300A 41 WEST 1-65 SERVICE ROAO NORTH MOBILE. AL 36608-129' (2511414-3083 WWW SESSIONS SENATE GOV

MONTGOMERY
7550 HALCYON SUMMIT DRIVE SUITE 150 MONTGOMERY AL 361 1 7 1334)244.7017

WIREGRASS
UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE. SUITE 302 100 WEST TROY STREET OOTHAN. AL 36303 (334) 792-4924

STATE OF ALABAMA OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

LUTHER STRANGE
ATTORNEY GENERAL SOI WASHINGTON AVENUE P.O. BOX 300152 MONTGOMERY, AL 3613O-O152 (334) 242-73OO
WWW.AGO.STATE.AL.US

August 2, 2012 Mr. Thomas Gordon 1030 42 nd Street South Birmingham, AL 35222 Dear Mr. Gordon: Thank you for contacting the Office of the Alabama Attorney General to share your concerns. As the Director of Constituent Affairs, I am responding to your letter on behalf of the General Strange. The primary duty of the Attorney General is to prosecute violations of Alabama's criminal statutes and to serve as legal counsel to Alabama's state agencies, state departments, and state officers. Alabama State law prohibits our office from providing private citizens with legal advice, legal opinions, or legal representation. Our office also defends the constitutionality of laws passed by the state legislature. We appreciate your views on this important issue. If you would like to voice your concerns regarding gun laws to a member of our state legislature you may contact the Alabama House of Representatives by calling (334) 242-7600 or the Alabama State Senate by calling (334) 242-7800. You may also want to contact the Governor's office by calling (334) 242-7100. Thank you again for contacting the Office of the Alabama Attorney General.

Sincerely,

Jeff Sommer Director of Constituent Affairs

M I K E HALE, S H E R I F F J E F F E R S O N COUNTY, A L A B A M A U.S.A.

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