****PAFOA Representation**** Harrisburg Capitol Building, 9/24 and 9/25

[sammydog]

Well, anger fresh in my veins and a big Cuban sandwich still in my belly, I just fired off this book to Senator Lisa Baker, copying my Senator Mike Regan, also on the Committee today.


Good evening, Senator Baker.

First, thank you for the your willingness to lead an open discussion on the issues of mental health and the Second Amendment.

I was in attendance today for the first hearing seated in a front row and was interested in hearing how you and the rest of the committee would approach the calls for gun control. Of course in our form of Government, it is important to hear both sides of every issue to make an informed decision for the good of the whole. However, that's where I am very concerned about how today's hearing was organized and run. We were able to hear extensively from many speakers in the fields of medicine, law enforcement and the courts. The speakers from the Philadelphia hospitals in particular, were given an enormous allotment of time despite their speeches being full of emotion with little substance or solutions. When it was time for the representatives of the people, the pro-Second Amendment speakers, there was suddenly no interest by the committee in hearing their words. Three-quarters of the Committee members filed out and the remaining three, including yourself, were not focused on their content, but on the clock.

I, and the rest of the public in attendance noticed. We felt slighted by our representatives who pushed our views and the speakers representing us aside. While the gentleman in the back of the room who shouted for fairness at the end of the meeting may have broken Senate decorum, he was exactly right and said what the rest of of were thinking...our lawmakers need to give us equal time and a chance to stand up for our rights as they come under attack. You must realize that many gun control laws do very little to actually affect crime, because the simple fact that's ignored by proponents of gun control and the legislators who vote for it is...criminals will never follow laws. Any and all gun control will only affect law-abiding gun owners, not those committing crimes.

As we listened to the Senator representing Philadelphia and the doctors from his city go back and forth about "good guys with a gun" and all of the shootings they see in their city, they failed to acknowledge or admit that their city's shootings are not because of our freedoms to bear arms, but they are due to the broken homes and cultural issues in city, like most urban areas with crime problems. It's a problem that sadly carries on from generation to generation but isn't the result of firearms being owned in our country, but a lack of respect for human life and disregard for laws. As we've seen in London and other areas that managed to completely ban guns, the attacks will continue with other means. Now London is trying to ban knives. Acid attacks have become commonplace there too. Guns are NOT the problem, but ARE a means for the good people of America to protect themselves and their children from those who break laws and seek to kill.

In May, Senator Baker, I personally sat in your office and joined in a discussion with you and representatives from GOA after our annual 2A rally in the rotunda. You had assured us that you've used guns in your lifetime, supported our rights and you had no intentions of considering any gun control "at that time". This statement still is on the minds of many of us in attendance today, as we are hopeful that through the pressure of these testimonies we're hearing, that you will stand strong and stay true to what you had told us that day. Your Oath of Office should be kept in mind whenever considering a law that would strip or restrict the freedom of the people who chose you to serve and represent them. I truly hope that freedom and the important of maintaining it will overcome those who wish to restrict it. Without our freedoms, especially the 2A, our nation will cease to be free.

We will be in attendance tomorrow and do hope that both sides get a fair chance to speak and be heard. That was the most disheartening part of the Tuesday hearings...that anti-gun proponents received preferential treatment and near unanimity in the timeshare. Ten minutes at the end, to a quarter of the committee, for those needing to defend our freedoms was honestly a farce.

Thank you for your time.

Concerned PA resident and Second Amendment supporter.

<name>


CC: My Senator, Mike Regan

Very well written. I was not able to attend due to recent surgery, but appreciate the efforts of all who attended. Thank you all and sending much support.

[jgl]

It was a pleasure to be among Patriots today. Perhaps tomorrow Senator Baker can enlist an aid who is smart enough to operate a stopwatch. Pro tip.....divide the total time allotted for testimony by the number of speakers. Really not that difficult to appear fair and impartial.

[alpacaheat]

After sending this letter, I thought of another point I wish I had included about allowing the public to speak at these things. The laws affect us directly and as we saw today, we know a he'll of a lot more on the subject matter than their "experts".

[Walleye Hunter]

It was a pleasure to be among Patriots today. Perhaps tomorrow Senator Baker can enlist an aid who is smart enough to operate a stopwatch. Pro tip.....divide the total time allotted for testimony by the number of speakers. Really not that difficult to appear fair and impartial.

The pisser is that we all know that they know that. What they should have done was left that bobble headed doctor wench go last.

[Fallen Knight]

So nice to see everyone today! I wish I could be there tomorrow as well. I pray God grants all of my brothers and sisters success in fighting tyranny and oppression. I was happy to see that we outnumbered the enemy today. As a newcomer to political activism I left today feeling emboldened and encouraged. Never forget the bond and love for liberty that ties us regardless of faith or color! To victory!!

[Berncly]

So nice to see everyone today! I wish I could be there tomorrow as well. I pray God grants all of my brothers and sisters success in fighting tyranny and oppression. I was happy to see that we outnumbered the enemy today. As a newcomer to political activism I left today feeling emboldened and encouraged. Never forget the bond and love for liberty that ties us regardless of faith or color! To victory!!

Thank you for standing with us for the 2A.

[stainless]

Just want to send KUDOS out all that attended and to those that have gone above and beyond doing all the work involved. No, I didn't make it either day cuz I had appointments that I couldn't change, Dealing with the specialists sux. They are always booked six months in advance.

I have made rallys in the past I just couldn't attend for this.

Thanks again to Y'all.

[Berncly]

Just want to send KUDOS out all that attended and to those that have gone above and beyond doing all the work involved. No, I didn't make it either day cuz I had appointments that I couldn't change, Dealing with the specialists sux. They are always booked six months in advance.

I have made rallys in the past I just couldn't attend for this.

Thanks again to Y'all.

You don't owe us an explanation.
I hope your medical treatment goes well.
Take care and feel well soon.

[Joe88XJ]

It was a pleasure to be among Patriots today. Perhaps tomorrow Senator Baker can enlist an aid who is smart enough to operate a stopwatch. Pro tip.....divide the total time allotted for testimony by the number of speakers. Really not that difficult to appear fair and impartial.

Oh I'm quite sure they possess intelligence to appear fair and impartial. It seems obvious however that they lack a care about appearing fair and impartial! I just watched all four hours of it on PCN. The stupidity displayed was hard to watch!

[howard stiffy]

I was happy to meet and hang with yinz yesterday, especially all who showed up for their first event.
The conversations we had with all of the other groups showing up proves that we are ALL in solidarity
for peace and our natural rights. We did build some bridges with folks we may never have interacted with.

I'll be at the day job today. Stand strong, stay calm, and continue to put our best face forward, as always!