I am writing you today to remind you of your sworn oath to defend and protect the constitution of the United States of America. This includes the 2nd amendment to that constitution. As a elected official I urge you to defend our constitution from those that wish to destroy it. The events that took place in Connecticut are tragic and took an emotional toll on this nation, but do not let this senseless act vilify law abiding citizens who own guns. If we allow for the 2nd amendment to be changed then we have no respect for that constitution or what it stands for. Banning rifles that are considered by uneducated and misinformed people as “assault weapons” only weakens the foundation of our constitution, the foundation in which this country was created for and what our forefathers wanted for this great nation. You have an opportunity to support, strengthen and defend the principles that the United States has stood for over the past 235 years. To do otherwise will only divide this country in ways that can only cripple it further. Our constitution was created in a way that all the original amendments to the constitution support one another, there was a reason that the fathers of our nation did this, so that tyranny cannot and will not overcome or destroy the nation that they created for you and I. Over the course of the history of the United States the 2nd Amendment has protected its citizens from the threat of invasion by the Japanese during World War II and prevented the British from retaking the colonies during the War of 1812. It has protected citizens and helped them defend their families and property on countless occasions. Since the Bush era assault weapons ban was repealed gun crime in this country has declined and death due to the use of firearms is one of the lowest causes of death in the United States in violent acts of murder. Please take the time to fully explore all the facts and statistics and do not rush to judgment on any bill that you vote on that will directly impact the 2nd amendment. Please do not let political pressure from anyone sway your vote approving changes to the 2nd amendment. Please do defend and protect the constitution of the United States of America.