How many buy the "sincerely" at the end?
You can tell he's trying his best to walk the fine line.
In case you don't know, he's officially a lame duck now.
Dear Mr. 280:
Thank you for contacting me to express your concern about the tragic event that unfolded in Tucson, Arizona, on January 8, 2011. I appreciate your concerns, and I welcome the opportunity to respond.
First and foremost, my thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the fallen and with all those injured on that horrific day. Like all Americans, I have been profoundly affected by this senseless display of violence. Our nation is one that values peace, civility, and the rule of law. We must proceed in a thoughtful and committed manner to consider what actions can, and should, be taken to safeguard our nation in the future from such violent attacks.
As you know, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) was holding a constituent event at a local supermarket in Tucson when the attack took place. The tragic event resulted in the death of six people and injured 13 others. A full federal investigation has been launched by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Marshals Service, and the U.S. Capitol Police. In addition to the federal investigation taking place, a parallel local investigation led by the Pima County Sheriff's Department is also underway.
Going forward, I believe we should support a sensible approach to gun laws that protect the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans, while also keeping criminals and other dangerous people from buying firearms. Gaps in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) must be addressed. Steps such as ensuring sufficient funding for the NICS must be one of many priorities for this Congress. In the wake of this tragedy, we must work to make certain that criminals, drug abusers, and mentally ill individuals are prevented from buying guns and, thereby, putting the public at risk.
The Second Amendment is one of our fundamental civil liberties. Throughout my career in public service, I have been a strong advocate for this constitutional right. At the same time, however, we must strike an appropriate and sensible balance to protect public safety within constitutionally permissible limits.
Thank you again for sharing your views and concerns with me. I hope you will continue to visit
http://lieberman.senate.gov for updated news about my work on behalf of Connecticut and the nation. Please contact me if you have any additional questions or comments about our work in Congress.
Sincerely,
Joseph I. Lieberman
UNITED STATES SENATOR