In general, when I've written to my pols, I try to keep it short and simple (maybe not as simple as the above). Things I try to keep in mind (YMMV):
1. Disgust is fine, but being abusive isn't likely to help.
2. Keep it short - I name the bill, specify the reason it's bad, and tell them to vote "no" or to vote against the bill.
3. I try to hit the "criminals
don't care what laws you pass" thing if I can. Maybe someday it will sink in.
This is what I composed (I figure email won't hurt, but it is true that phone calls are what is necessary):
"Dear Representative ,
I am writing to express my strong opposition to House Bills 18, 22, and 29, all of which will be considered at next week’s Judiciary Committee Meeting, scheduled for November 20th. I ask you to vote against these bills and all other bills that abridge or infringe the rights protected by the Pennsylvania Constitution.
House Bill 18, which would overturn statewide preemption for firearm regulation, would have no impact on criminals who - by definition – violate the law. Instead, HB only makes it impossible for law-abiding citizens to navigate the maze of inconsistent restrictions that will undoubtedly arise.
Please vote NO on House Bill 18.
House Bill 22, the so-called “one-gun-a-month” bill, punishes the law-abiding for the actions of criminals. Criminals who require firearms will obtain them by theft, or from other criminals – no law will prevent that. Instead, HB 22 makes it harder for the tens of thousands of law-abiding Pennsylvania gun owners to exercise their rights.
Please vote NO on House Bill 22.
House Bill 29, which imposes criminal penalties for the failure to report a lost or stolen gun, is a shockingly bad piece of law. It seeks to make the victims of a crime into criminals themselves, which is cruel and completely devoid of legitimacy.
Please vote NO on House Bill 29.
These three bills – HB 18, HB 22, and HB 29 – are
bad law. Each hurts only the law-abiding citizen, because criminals
do not care what laws you pass. Each is repugnant to the Pennsylvania Constitution. Each violates common sense and will have no effect on crime. Please, vote against every one of these bills, in whatever guise they appear. None of them are worthy of even a moment’s consideration.
Thank you,"
I hope this is helpful.
-Chris