How to address your Delegate and Senator after the election, before the start of the General Assembly

  1. Contact in writing to the campaign office listed at their election material if not the incumbent.
  2. Address the fact that the person is now YOUR representative in the General Assembly, citing what district you are in.
  3. Identify yourself and your affiliation.
    1. If the representative is in concert with your ideals, note it and offer your support in the upcoming session, noting the challenges that will arise.
    2. If the representative does not agree with your positions, note that the person was elected to serve ALL of the community. Ask that the rep not engage in retribution or vote a certain way just because the party majority has changed.
  4. Identify the area in which you are most concerned. State clearly what legislation initiatives you support and what you are opposed to.
  5. Address the issue in terms of both fact and emotion. Progressives just love stories!
  6. Offer to meet with the rep or the aide/assistant before the GA starts to discuss further, if possible.
  7. Close cordially, leave your contact information.

Example, regarding “red flag” laws, to a Democrat:

Delegate-Elect                                                November 18, 2019

District XXX

Dear Sir./Madam:

This letter is to congratulate you on your election to be my delegate/senator. I live in the {…} precinct. You won the district by XX%, which gives you the win, but not an overwhelming mandate. I write today deeply concerned about the upcoming General Assembly and the radical proposals being developed under the new Democrat/ Progressive majority. Please remember that there is a significant number of individuals who live in your district who did not vote for you. We should not lose our voice entirely due to your election.

My primary concern for writing you is to urge you to do research before the beginning of the General Assembly session, regarding “red flag” extreme protection laws. There is much wrong with bills submitted last year and in the special session. First, they only address firearms. A disturbed person determined to commit mayhem can employ many other means of wreaking havoc, including making pipe bombs and using gas canisters, or just using a knife. Nothing in the law addresses a temporary detention order for someone who may be a threat to themselves or others; you would expect extreme protection orders would accompany a TDO. The focus on guns only leads me to believe that you wish to eliminate them entirely; this is just the first step.

Red flag laws will lead to the deaths of otherwise innocent individuals. Reporting a person can be done by anyone with a “beef” against another, such as an ex-spouse, a business associate, or a neighbor that has had a falling out. This may become the newest version of “swatting.” The legislation will create a method of using government entities for exacting revenge, with disruption, temporary removal of guns, attorney costs to get them back, or with more serious consequences to the target.

Before you arrive at any position regarding red flag laws, please first sit down with local law enforcement and determine how they would carry out the order. In other states and cities, tragedy has ensued, as law enforcement storms a private home without warning, early in the morning, causing the subject to reach for his weapon to defend himself against what is perceived as a home invasion. Without warning, without context, if he fails to drop his weapon, he is shot dead. I truly hope this is not considered a reasonable outcome. This is NOT a common-sense gun law.

I do not want to see any of my friends, neighbors, or relatives who own a firearm end up being dealt a death sentence due to an anonymous phone call. Imagine an execution without a crime being committed! Any proposed red flag laws should contain reasonable directives to ensure de-escalation methods and personnel are in place to prevent tragedies, and appropriate mental health intervention should be employed.

I am not the only person in your district who feels this way. If you would like to hear from a group of local residents in your district with concerns regarding gun control legislative issues, please let me know. I would be glad to set up a meeting. I am available to discuss my concerns with you in person or by phone with you or your aide at your convenience. I can be reached at (888) 990-9090.

Again, that you for your attention to this issue of major concern.

Sincerely,

  1. Citizen

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