Robin Chestnut-Tangerman "I would vote in favor of [gun] registration" On Apr 26, 2016, at 6:45 PM, Jeff T. wrote: Hi Robin, I am a constituent from West Pawlet. I am writing you today to please not vote in favor of H-297. As a gun collector (I know you dislike us), this bill would prohibit the sale of ivory stock firearms. Legally owned property should not be outlawed. Thank you for your time. Pease do not put me on your email list. Sincerely, Jeff T. From: "Robin Chesnut-Tangerman" To: Jeff T. Sent: Tuesday, April 26, 2016 4:50:07 PM Subject: Re: H-297 Jeff, Thanks for writing to me about H.297. I have to start by saying that I have nothing against gun collectors or gun owners. I am a gun owner myself. I just think that because guns are by definition lethal weapons they should be registered. But guns are not a big issue for me either way. Because our district is split on gun issues I decided when I first ran that I would not introduce or co-sponsor gun legislation, but that if it came to the floor and I needed to vote on it, I would vote in favor of registration, Anyway, back to ivory, the bill that I voted in favor of earlier allowed for small quantities of ivory; things like piano keys, inlays, jewelry and that sort of thing. The bill came back from the Senate today and they had removed that allowance. The House did not agree with that change and it has gone to a conference committee to try and resolve the differences between the two versions. I cannot support a bill that does not allow for legal possession of small quantities of existing ivory without demanding extensive documentation that does not exist. Thanks again for reaching out, Robin Rep. Robin Chesnut-Tangerman Rutland-Bennington District rchesnut-tangerman@leg.state.vt.us Message Robin, Thank you for your reasoned stance on pre-possessed ivory. However, I now must ask why you think gun owners must be registered? How, if enacted, would that ensure public safety? -Jeff T. 4/29/16 Jeff, Without getting into the whole gun debate, which we will most likely disagree on at the end of the day, I don’t believe that registering guns will “ensure” public safety anymore than registering cars guarantees the safety of highways. But If guns are registered (and they will never all be registered, I recognize that) then law enforcement will be able to do a better job of tracking where guns come from that are used illegally, who has a record of gun violations and where they are getting their guns, does someone who is hospitalized for depression have guns at home. Things like that, That are no magic wands to end gun violence, but taken together small steps can make the state a safer place. As we both know, Vermont ranks very low in terms of per capita violent crime, but we rank near the top in suicide by firearm and in domestic assaults with firearms. This tells me that we do have room for improvement in how guns are managed in Vermont. Just some food for thought. Best, Robin