parts bolded by me
Dear Marcia:
Thank you for sharing your views on the nation's gun laws with me. We were all shaken to the core by the recent shooting in Newtown, Connecticut and my thoughts and prayers continue to be with the families who lost their loved ones that day.
The idea that someone would arm themselves for an attack on a school is unthinkable and should offend every responsible gun owner in America. Other communities across the country have had to endure similar attacks in their schools, movie theaters, shopping malls, and grocery stores. This is completely unacceptable, and I agree that a national conversation about curbing violence in American is long overdue.
I have heard from Mainers on all sides of this issue in the weeks following the tragedy in Newtown. Some have called for stricter restrictions on the availability of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
Others have cautioned against undue infringements on their constitutionally protected rights. As actions are proposed on the state and federal level, I believe that this is a time for Americans to come together in cooperation rather than confrontation.
Like most Americans, I was eager to hear the President?s proposals on this subject, based on the analysis and recommendations of Vice President Biden?s interagency taskforce. This group spent a month meeting with gun control advocates, gun rights advocates, law enforcement, mental health care professionals, educators, and the entertainment industry.
While I may not agree with every proposal put forward by the President, I appreciate that his suggestions approach the problem of violence from a number of different perspectives.
Maine's hunting and sporting traditions are an important part of the state's identity, and I will continue to support the constitutional rights of our law-abiding gun owners. I agree that Congress and the Federal government must do more to better enforce our gun laws so that the wrong people can?t get their hands on firearms. This means ensuring our law enforcement have the resources they need to track down illegal guns and protect our communities.
I am supportive of proposals to increase the number of resource officers, psychologists, social workers, and counselors in our schools. I have long supported measures that would increase resources to help our students resolve emotional, social, or behavioral problems. In the 112th Congress, I was a cosponsor of the Put School Counselors Where They?re Needed Act, which would have established a grant program to help schools hire more school counselors.
I am pleased that the President called on Congress to address our nation?s persistent problems with mental illness. While the vast majority of Americans with mental illnesses are not violent, the recent incidents of mass violence underscore the need to improve early detection and access to treatment for individuals that could be a danger to themselves or others.
Health care experts have long forecasted a greater need for quality mental health services, and I agree that more needs to be done on this issue.
I am continuing to carefully review the President?s proposals, as well as a number of bills that have been introduced in Congress to address the issue of violence in the United States.
No political group is going to control my vote as these bills advance though the legislative process. Instead, I will continue to rely on your thoughtful comments.
Thank you again for sharing your views with me. In addition, I also provide occasional email updates on a range of issues affecting people in Maine. If you would like to receive this information, please visit my website at
https://michaud.house.gov/contact-mike/newsletter and sign up for my email newsletter. I appreciate the opportunity to represent Maine in Congress.
With warmest regards,
Michael H. Michaud
Member of Congress
In my letter I had reacted to the scapegoating of guns and video games when this is, I think, mainly a mental healthcare issue.