DRAFT
DECLARATION OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS FOR GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION
We, the undersigned governors, mayors, lawmakers, law enforcement officials, and others having public responsibility to prevent gun violence in America, make the following declaration to the American people:
1. The United States Supreme Court has held that "the Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home" and protects “an individual’s right to carry a handgun for self-defense outside the home.”
2. The Second Amendment does not give citizens the right to bear arms against the Federal, state and local governments and their law enforcement authorities.
3. The Second Amendment does not give citizens a right to bear arms for aggression and intimidation against other citizens, and Federal, state and local governments and their law enforcement authorities have powers to prevent citizens from bearing arms for aggression and intimidation against other citizens.
4. Federal, state and local governments and their law enforcement arms have obligations under law to protect citizens from the gun violence of others.
5. Millions of Americans believe they have a right under the Second Amendment to bear arms against the Federal, state and local governments and their law enforcement authorities, and a right to bear arms for aggression and intimidation against other citizens. They are incorrect in their beliefs.
6. Laws may be enacted that give rights to citizens regarding bearing arms that are greater than the rights of citizens under the Second Amendment or that limit the rights regarding bearing arms to the rights of citizens under the Second Amendment.
7. To prevent citizens from bearing arms for aggression and intimidation against other citizens. and to enable Federal, state local governments and their law enforcement authorities to prevent citizens from bearing arms for aggression and intimidation against other citizens, we favor laws that limit the rights regarding bearing of arms to the rights of citizens under the Second Amendment.
8. The recent holding of the United States Supreme Court that the constitution protects “an individual’s right to carry a handgun for self-defense outside the home” has made our job to prevent citizens from bearing arms for aggression and intimidation against other citizens much more difficult. This holding has emboldened and empowered the aforesaid millions of Americans who believe they have a right under the Second Amendment to bear arms against the Federal, state and local governments and their law enforcement authorities, and a right to bear arms for aggression and intimidation against other citizens. We believe that allowing only open carry of guns outside the home for self-defense and prohibiting concealed carry of guns outside home will result in our being able to do our job better.
Disseminating above draft Declaration
9/21/22 Email to Montgomery, Auburn, Oxford and Opelika Police Chiefs From: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>To: dalbert@montgomeryal.gov <dalbert@montgomeryal.gov>; canderson@auburnalabama.org <canderson@auburnalabama.org>; Bill.Partridge@OxfordAL.gov <Bill.Partridge@OxfordAL.gov>; shealey@opelika-al.gov <shealey@opelika-al.gov>
Cc: jhannah@wrbl.com <jhannah@wrbl.com>; jessica.gibson@wtvm.com <jessica.gibson@wtvm.com>; newstips@wsfa.com <newstips@wsfa.com>
Sent: Wed, Sep 21, 2022 6:52 am
Subject: Does 2nd Amendment prohibit gun registries? How much does Rep. Mike Rogers "back the blue"?
Dear Montgomery, Auburn, Oxford and Opelika Police Chiefs Albert, Anderson, Partridge and Healey:
I have previously sent you two emails.
One email was on June 7th and was about the lack of gun control resulting in an arms race between the police and wrongdoers with guns.
The second email was on June 28th and was about reducing gun violence by allowing only open carry of guns outside the home for self-defense and prohibiting concealed carry of guns outside the home.
These two emails can be found at
https://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2022/06/al02-al03-and-guns.html.
As reported at
https://yellowhammernews.com/reps-aderholt-brooks-and-rogers-want-answers-from-credit-card-companies-over-new-gun-sales-classification/, Rep.Mike Rogers tweeted on September 14th:
"Glad to join my colleague, @RepStefanik, in seeking answers on why credit card companies are aiding the far-left in their attempts to create an illegal gun registry."
I tweeted back to Rep. Rogers as follows:
Do you believe 2nd Amend. prohibits gov't gun registries? I assume you won't sign "Declaration of public officials for gun violence prevention" at https://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2022/09/declaration-of-public-officials-for-gun.html
I will name you in below email.
@wsfa12news Jessie Gibson @JolynHannah1
Please (i) consider the aforesaid "Declaration of public officials for gun violence prevention" at
https://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2022/09/declaration-of-public-officials-for-gun.html, (ii) decide for yourselves whether Rep. Rogers would ever sign such a Declaration, and (iii) ask yourselves just how much does Rep. Mike Rogers "back the blue."
Regarding the foregoing, you might also look at
https://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2022/09/case-for-open-carry-only.html.
Thank you for your attention to this email.
Sincerely,
Rob Shattuck
Mountain Brook
205-967-5586
Email to Rep. Palmer and Rep. SewellFrom: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>
To: mary.luke@mail.house.gov <mary.luke@mail.house.gov>; marymorgan.bell@mail.house.gov <marymorgan.bell@mail.house.gov>
Cc: jcardone@cbs42.com, crobinson@al.com, lauren.jackson@wbrc.com, wvtm13@wvtm.com, FightingForYou@abc3340.com, newstip@abc3340.com, vbell@sbgtv.com, bwright@birminghamtimes.com bwright@birminghamtimes.com <bwright@birminghamtimes.com>
Sent: Wed, Sep 21, 2022 6:22 pm
Subject: How much do Rep. Palmer & Rep. Sewell "back the blue"?
Dear Rep. Palmer and Rep. Sewell:
This email supplements the September 18th email I sent you, which email asked about your opinion of what the Second Amendment protects and what it does not protect, and asked whether you think gun violence would be reduced if only open carry of guns outside the home for self-defense is permitted and concealed carry of guns outside the home is prohibited. (Said email can be found at
https://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2022/09/case-for-open-carry-only.html)
Below is an email I sent this morning to the Montgomery, Auburn, Oxford and Opelika Police Chiefs related to Rep. Mike Rogers.
The purpose of this email is request you to review the below referenced "Declaration of public officials for gun violence prevention" at
https://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2022/09/declaration-of-public-officials-for-gun.html and comment on the same.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Rob Shattuck
Mountain Brook
205-967-5586
[Referenced "below email" is not reproduced here but can be found above]
Email to Pelham, Irondale, Alabaster, Hoover and Montevallo Police ChiefsFrom: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>
To: pcheatwood@pelhamalabama.gov, jwiggins@irondalepolice.org, jwiggins@irondalepolice.org, crigney@alabasterpolice.org, police@hooveralabama.gov, jlittleton@cityofmontevallo.com,
Sent: Wed, Sep 21, 2022 7:01 pm
Subject: How much do Rep. Palmer and Rep. Sewell "back the blue"?
Dear Pelham, Irondale, Alabaster, Hoover and Montevallo Police Chiefs Cheatwood, Wiggins, Rigney, Derzis, and Littleton:
I have questions about the extent to which Rep. Gary Palmer "backs the blue."
Rep. Sewell presents a different situation from Rep. Palmer.
Please see the below email I have sent to Rep. Palmer and Rep. Sewell about their "backing of the blue."
Sincerely,
Rob Shattuck
Mountain Brook
Referenced "below email" is not reproduced here but can be found above]
Email to Birmingham area chambers of commerceFrom: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>
To: ejerkins@birminghambusinessalliance.com <ejerkins@birminghambusinessalliance.com>; director@homewoodchamber.org <director@homewoodchamber.org>; chamber@vestaviahills.org <chamber@vestaviahills.org>; chamberinfo@shelbychamber.net <chamberinfo@shelbychamber.net>; pelhamchamberofcommerce@gmail.com <pelhamchamberofcommerce@gmail.com>; sandra@leedsareachamber.com <sandra@leedsareachamber.com>
Sent: Wed, Sep 21, 2022 7:31 pm
Subject: "Backing the blue" in order to reduce gun violence
To Birmingham area chambers of commerce:
For whatever interest Birmingham area chambers of commerce have in "backing the blue" in order to reduce gun violence, I pass along to you the below email I have sent to the Pelham, Irondale, Alabaster, Hoover and Montevallo Police Chiefs raising the question of, "How much do Rep. Palmer and Rep. Sewell "back the blue"?".
Thank you.
Rob Shattuck
Referenced "below email" is not reproduced here but can be found above]
Email to various Birmingham personsFrom: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>
To: ddgreen@uab.edu <ddgreen@uab.edu>; info@crimestoppersmetroal.com <info@crimestoppersmetroal.com>; clintddgreen@uab.edu, info@crimestoppersmetroal.com, clinton.woods@birminghamal.gov, hunter.williams@birminghamal.gov, valerie.abbott@birminghamal.gov, jonathan.moore2@birminghamal.gov, Darrell.OQuinn@birminghamal.gov, crystal.smitherman@birminghamal.gov, wardine.alexander@birminghamal.gov, carol.clarke@birminghamal.gov, latonya.tate@birminghamal.gov, tysons@jccal.org, stephensj@jccal.org, KnightJoe@jccal.org, ammonss@jccal.org, scalesl@jccal.org, alabama@momschapterleaders.org, jeffw@uab.edu, melie@uabmc.edu, mslay@uab.edu, eeaton@uab.edu, marie.sutton@birminghamal.gov, rick.journey@birminghamal.gov, ashfaq.taufique@bisweb.org, katy@churchofthehighlands.com, minister@uucbham.org,
Sent: Thu, Sep 22, 2022 4:16 pm
Subject: How much do Rep. Palmer and Rep. Sewell "back the blue" to reduce gun violence in Birmingham?
I am raising questions about how much Rep. Gary Palmer and Rep. Terri Sewell "back the blue" in furtherance of the objective of reducing gun violence in Birmingham.
If you are interested in the questions I am raising and with whom I am raising the questions, please see "Declaration of public officials for gun violence prevention" at
https://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2022/09/declaration-of-public-officials-for-gun.html.
Thank you.
Libertarian Party of Alabama WVTM
Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police From: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>To: aacop@aacop.com <aacop@aacop.com>
Cc: logginsj@mtnbrook.org <logginsj@mtnbrook.org>
Sent: Thu, Sep 22, 2022 6:06 pm
Subject: Declaration of public officials for gun violence prevention
Dear President Irwin,
I live in Mountain Brook.
I am disseminating in Jefferson County and elsewhere in Alabama the "Declaration of public officials for gun violence prevention" that is set out at
https://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2022/09/declaration-of-public-officials-for-gun.html.
I have sent the Declaration to Mayor Woodfin, county commissioners, city councilors, police chiefs, members of Congress and others.
I hope you will consider the Declaration and whether it is worthy of being presented to your Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police members.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Rob Shattuck
205-967-5586
cc. Mountain Brook Chief of Police Loggins
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency From: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>
To: government.relations@alea.gov <government.relations@alea.gov>
Sent: Fri, Sep 23, 2022 8:39 am
Subject: Declaration of public officials for gun violence prevention
Dear Mr. Reader,
In follow up to my previous emails to you, can the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency kindly review the "Declaration of public officials for gun violence prevention" that is set out at
https://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2022/09/declaration-of-public-officials-for-gun.html and indicate to me whether the ALEA can support the Declaration or not?
If there is particular wording in the Declaration that the ALEA cannot support but there is alternative wording the ALEA can support, please indicate the same.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Rob Shattuck
Mountain Brook
205-967-5586
Email to Justice Sellers; Professors Smolin, Horwitz, Brandon and Olree; and Mr. CookFrom: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>
To: angie.carroll@alappeals.gov <angie.carroll@alappeals.gov>; dmsmolin@samford.edu <dmsmolin@samford.edu>; phorwitz@law.ua.edu <phorwitz@law.ua.edu>; mbrandon@law.ua.edu <mbrandon@law.ua.edu>; aolree@faulkner.edu <aolree@faulkner.edu>; gcook@balch.com <gcook@balch.com>
Sent: Fri, Sep 23, 2022 6:28 pm
Subject: Can or cannot Alabamians receive your opinion re 2nd Amendment?
Dear Justice Sellers; Professors Smolin, Horwitz, Brandon and Olree; and Mr. Cook:
This email concerns the "Declaration of public officials for gun violence prevention" that I have posted at
https://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2022/09/declaration-of-public-officials-for-gun.html.
I have disseminated the Declaration in Jefferson County and elsewhere in Alabama.
I have sent the Declaration to Mayor Woodfin, county commissioners, city councilors, police chiefs, members of Congress and others.
The Declaration implicitly solicits public officials in Alabama to sign the Declaration.
The Declaration makes statements about rights that the Second Amendment protects and about what the Second Amendment does not protect.
I don't know the extent to which Alabama public officials have sought legal opinion concerning what the Declaration says about the Second Amendment.
Can one or more of you please comment on what the Declaration says about the Second Amendment and whether you agree or disagree, in whole or in part, with what the Declaration says?
I will post whatever opinion you are willing to provide (regardless of any divergence of opinions that two or more of you provide), and which opinion or opinions public officials may consider in deciding whether or not to sign the Declaration.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Rob Shattuck
Mountain Brook
Alabama Sheriffs AssociationFrom: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>
To: alsheriffs@aol.com <alsheriffs@aol.com>
Sent: Fri, Sep 23, 2022 11:59 am
Subject: Declaration of public officials for gun violence prevention
Dear Ms. Harris,
I live in Mountain Brook.
I have disseminated in Jefferson County and elsewhere in Alabama the "Declaration of public officials for gun violence prevention" that is set out at
https://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2022/09/declaration-of-public-officials-for-gun.html.
I have sent the Declaration to Mayor Woodfin, county commissioners, city councilors, police chiefs, members of Congress and others.
I hope the Alabama Sheriffs Association will consider the Declaration and whether it is worthy of being presented to the Association's member sheriffs.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Rob Shattuck
205-967-5586
Alabama Democratic candidatesFrom: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>
To: contact@yolandaforgovernor.org <contact@yolandaforgovernor.org>; info@dougjones.com <info@dougjones.com>; bishopdrwillboyd@gmail.com <bishopdrwillboyd@gmail.com>; mary.luke@mail.house.gov <mary.luke@mail.house.gov>; lisa@lisawardforsenate.com <lisa@lisawardforsenate.com>; info@neighborsforcongress.com <info@neighborsforcongress.com>; info@kirkhatcher.com <info@kirkhatcher.com>; info@phillipensler.com <info@phillipensler.com>
Sent: Sat, Sep 24, 2022 3:27 pm
Subject: Which AL Democratic candidates will endorse "Declaration of public officials for gun violence prevention"?
Will you endorse the "Declaration of public officials for gun violence prevention" that is set out at
https://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2022/09/declaration-of-public-officials-for-gun.html?
Thank you.
9/24 Sending Declaration outside of Alabama
10/2/22 Important email to Dr. Mitch Doucette of John Hopkins Center for Gun Violence SolutionsFrom: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>
To: mdoucet3@jhu.edu <mdoucet3@jhu.edu>
Cc: cgvs@jh.edu, gvs@jhu.edu, contactus@protectourschools.com, cbarry@cornell.edu,
jpeterson68@hamline.edu preventgunviolencefl@gmail.com, gail@bawnfl.org, info@giffords.org, melie@uabmc.edu, mslay@uab.edu, eeaton@uab.edu; drodricks@baltsun.com, crobinson@al.com
Sent: Sun, Oct 2, 2022 8:01 am
Subject: 9/29 Baltimore Sun commentary "More guns everywhere do not make us safer"
Dear Dr. Doucette
This is the email I said I would send you after I saw the link on Twitter to the September 29th Baltimore Sun commentary
"More guns everywhere do not make us safer", written by Dan Rodricks.
In the commentary, you are quoted as saying, “Allowing more individuals to carry concealed guns in public [including those with previous arrests] can increase inappropriate use of firearms in response to interpersonal conflicts, disputes or other situations." (I have not yet accessed Dan Rodricks' full commentary and the foregoing quote appears in the tweet I saw.)
Guns are out of control in the United States, and the problem is getting worse as a result of the United States Supreme Court decision in the New York Rifle Association case this summer.
That case has gotten the gun rights extremists, and the politicians who exploit the guns issue, hard at work seeking state laws that expand gun rights and that will, in your words, "increase inappropriate use of firearms."
On the other side, gun control proponents have many ideas and solutions for reducing gun violence and saving lives. See, e.g.,
https://www.everytown.org/solutions/Their problem, however, in trying to advance the implementation of such solutions is the unreasoning and absolutistic political opposition that hysterically screams that any limitation or restriction on guns opens the door for a tyrannical Federal government to take away everyone's guns and subjugate and enslave the American people.
In this situation, I think the political messaging on the gun control side should expressly acknowledge the United States Supreme Court has held that "the Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home" and protects “an individual’s right to carry a handgun for self-defense outside the home.”
After expressly acknowledging that, the gun control side should argue for drawing the line based on "self-defense" (and animal hunting) purposes and build from there.
I have tried to do this in the form of "Declaration of public officials for gun violence prevention" that is set out at
https://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2022/09/declaration-of-public-officials-for-gun.html.
The idea is to frame the public debate as: "should guns in the hands of individuals be limited for self-defense (and animal hunting) purposes and, if the answer is yes, what are reasonable ways to implement that limitation and reduce gun violence?"
That would force the other side to argue that guns should not be limited for self-defense (and animal hunting), and guns should be allowed for any purpose whatever, such as for attacking the government and its police, intimidating and aggressing against other citizens, making political statements, and self-validation and expression, regardless of whatever increased gun violence results.
I say, let the public debate unfold on that, and let the voters consciously think about that and decide.
Last Friday there was reporting that "
Texas gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke dodges twice when asked if he would 'take your AR-15'".
Read the foregoing reporting, and decide whether Beto ORourke should reframe his messaging along the lines I suggest above.
Note that I have suggested consideration be given to allowing only open carry of guns outside the home for self-defense and prohibiting concealed carry of guns outside the home. That suggestion needs a lot of thinking about and should have input from law enforcement. For thinking I have done about same, please read
https://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2022/09/case-for-open-carry-only.html and
https://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2022/06/dealing-with-scotus-gun-regulation.html.
I hope you and others who are copied on this email will see merit in what I say and that the same will filter into what you communicate to the public and to lawmakers, law enforcement, and other public officials and policymakers, and even to political candidates during the next 37 days.
Thank you for your attention to this email.
Sincerely,
Rob Shattuck
Mountain Brook, AL
Email to UConn Gun Violence Prevention Research Interest GroupTo: mary.bernstein@uconn.edu <mary.bernstein@uconn.edu>; jennifer.dineen@uconn.edu <jennifer.dineen@uconn.edu>; kerri.raissian@uconn.edu <kerri.raissian@uconn.edu>
Cc: mdoucet3@jhu.edu <mdoucet3@jhu.edu>
Sent: Mon, Oct 3, 2022 6:21 pm
Subject: 10/2/22 email Dr. Mitch Doucette of John Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions
Dear Professors Bernstein, Dineen and Raissian:
In the mission of your Gun Violence Prevention Research Interest Group to reduce gun violence, please consider whether it would help for the public debate to be framed as: "should guns in the hands of individuals be limited for self-defense (and animal hunting) purposes and, if the answer is yes, what are reasonable ways to implement that limitation and reduce gun violence".
Please see below 10/2/22 email I sent to Dr. Mitch Doucette of the John Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions for elaboration of this suggestion.
Sincerely,
Rob Shattuck
Mountain Brook, AL
Second email to UConn Gun Violence Prevention Research Interest GroupFrom: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>
To: kerri.raissian@uconn.edu <kerri.raissian@uconn.edu>; mary.bernstein@uconn.edu <mary.bernstein@uconn.edu>; jennifer.dineen@uconn.edu <jennifer.dineen@uconn.edu>
Cc: mdoucet3@jhu.edu <mdoucet3@jhu.edu>; alabama@momschapterleaders.org <alabama@momschapterleaders.org>; Info@DrAnnieAndrews.com <Info@DrAnnieAndrews.com>; lisa@lisafororegon.com <lisa@lisafororegon.com>
Sent: Wed, Oct 5, 2022 6:46 am
Subject: Re: 10/2/22 email Dr. Mitch Doucette of John Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions
Thank you for your reply, Professor Raissian.
I sensed I was venturing outside your domain, and I understand your response.
In the rush to the midterm election, I am pushing out to candidates my "Declaration of public officials for gun violence prevention" for them to decide its merits.
Candidates Dr. Annie Andrews and Dr. Lisa Reynolds participated with Shannon Watts of Moms Demand in an online conversation yesterday (see
https://twitter.com/shannonrwatts/status/1577023665790545920), and I sent them the below email.
Whoever is able and willing to reach out to candidates is of interest to me, and keeping a record (that others can see) of who is doing (or is not doing) what may be of use to me and others in everyone's collective effort to reduce gun violence.
In that vein, I will post this reply email to you but I will not post your email to me (unless you want me to).
Sincerely,
Rob Shattuck
Email to SC and OR candidates Dr. Annie Andrew & Dr. Lisa ReynoldsFrom: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>
To: Info@DrAnnieAndrews.com <Info@DrAnnieAndrews.com>; lisa@lisafororegon.com <lisa@lisafororegon.com>
Cc: mdoucet3@jhu.edu <mdoucet3@jhu.edu>; mary.bernstein@uconn.edu <mary.bernstein@uconn.edu>; jennifer.dineen@uconn.edu <jennifer.dineen@uconn.edu>; kerri.raissian@uconn.edu <kerri.raissian@uconn.edu>; melie@uabmc.edu <melie@uabmc.edu>; mslay@uab.edu <mslay@uab.edu>; eeaton@uab.edu <eeaton@uab.edu>
Sent: Tue, Oct 4, 2022 3:19 am
Subject: Declaration of public officials for gun violence prevention
Dear Dr. Andrews and Dr. Reynolds,
Please consider incorporating in your respective South Carolina 1st Congressional district and Oregon State house district 34 election campaigns the "Declaration of public officials for gun violence prevention" that I set out at
https://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2022/09/declaration-of-public-officials-for-gun.html.
Thank you.
Rob Shattuck
Mountain Brook, AL
Violence Policy Center
From: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>
To: smartinelli@vpc.org <smartinelli@vpc.org>
Cc: cgvs@jh.edu <cgvs@jh.edu>; cgvs@jhu.edu <cgvs@jhu.edu>; contactus@protectourschools.com <contactus@protectourschools.com>; cbarry@cornell.edu <cbarry@cornell.edu>; jpeterson68@hamline.edu <jpeterson68@hamline.edu>; preventgunviolencefl@gmail.com <preventgunviolencefl@gmail.com>; gail@bawnfl.org <gail@bawnfl.org>; info@giffords.org <info@giffords.org>; melie@uabmc.edu <melie@uabmc.edu>; mslay@uab.edu <mslay@uab.edu>; eeaton@uab.edu <eeaton@uab.edu>; mary.bernstein@uconn.edu <mary.bernstein@uconn.edu>; jennifer.dineen@uconn.edu <jennifer.dineen@uconn.edu>; kerri.raissian@uconn.edu <kerri.raissian@uconn.edu>; Info@DrAnnieAndrews.com <Info@DrAnnieAndrews.com>; lisa@lisafororegon.com <lisa@lisafororegon.com>; mdoucet3@jhu.edu <mdoucet3@jhu.edu>; alabama@momschapterleaders.org <alabama@momschapterleaders.org>; info@drlalanifortexas.com <info@drlalanifortexas.com>
Sent: Thu, Oct 6, 2022 7:04 am
Subject: Democrats can win on guns AND crime
Hello, Sally.
As the below email to the UConn Gun Violence Prevention Research Interest Group indicates, I am pushing out to political candidates the "Declaration of public officials for gun violence prevention" that is set out at
https://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2022/09/declaration-of-public-officials-for-gun.html.
The email further indicates I appreciate that gun violence research groups, such as the Violence Policy Center, may shy away from advising political candidates about the messaging and campaigning the candidates do on the gun violence issue.
I am arguing that the right to possess and carry guns for self-defense purposes should be expressly acknowledged by the gun control side, and that the gun control side make the case that the line can and should be drawn limiting gun rights to self-defense purposes based on public safety considerations.
That pushes the gun rights side to say, no, gun rights should not be limited to self-defense purposes and public safety should be ignored in allowing unlimited gun rights.
I think, if the political debate can be framed in the foregoing way, the gun control side will win with the voters.
Also, framing the political debate in the foregoing way puts the gun rights side (the Republicans) in favor of more gun violence (more crime) and is a way for the gun control side (the Democrats) to counter the Republicans on the crime issue, which issue the Republicans are currently winning on in the midterm elections.
While gun violence research groups may not want to be involved in political campaigning, I hope they see merit in the "Declaration of public officials for gun violence prevention" and at least make the idea known to persons who are involved in the group's activities and to persons who interact with the groups.
Thank you for your attention to this email.
Sincerely,
Rob Shattuck
Mountain Brook, AL
Giffords Center for Violence Intervention
