Advocating for Universal Background Checks Tool Kit 2016

1. According to the National Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (2015):

 Current federal law requires criminal background checks only for guns sold through licensed firearm dealers, which accounts for just 60% of all gun sales in the United States.

 A loophole in the law allows individuals not “engaged in the business of selling firearms” to sell guns without a license---and without processing any paperwork. This is known as the Gun Show Loophole.

 As a result, two out of every five guns sold in the United States (40%) change hands without a background check.

 Private sales, through the “Gun Show Loophole” include firearms sold at gun shows, through classified newspaper ads, the Internet, and between individuals anywhere.

2. According to John Fleinblott, President of Everytown for Gun Safety (Huffington Post 05/14/2015):

 In 2013 52 percent of the fatal shootings of American law enforcement officers were committed by people who were prohibited from possessing guns in the first place, but they got them anyway.

 The Gun Show Loophole, along with the disparity in state laws, fuels the “Iron Pipeline”, which is the trafficking of illegal guns from states with more lax gun laws to states with stricter gun laws. For example, in New York City, which has more stringent gun control laws, 90 percent of guns recovered from crime scenes in 2011 were traced to out-of-state sources.

 The current situation allows more felons, criminals, terrorists, as well as people with mental illnesses, to get their hands on weapons all too easily through the Iron Pipeline.

3. According to Nora Caplan-Bricker of the New Republic (2014), a study from the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research, found the murder rate in Missouri jumped 16 percent – an additional 55 to 63 murders a year—after the repeal in 2007 of a state law that required anyone purchasing a handgun to obtain a permit showing they had passed a background check.

 This study strongly suggests that weaknesses in firearm laws lead to deaths from gun violence.

 The study notes that 89 percent of Americans and 84 percent of gun owners support universal background checks in 2013.

4. According to the Economist (Nov. 6, 2015) there is no federal law requiring universal background checks because the politically powerful National Rifle Association and other pro-gun groups oppose universal background checks or any law that would restrict gun sales. These organizations intimidate members of Congress to the extent that Congress won’t try to pass a law to close the Gun Show Loophole, i.e., require universal background checks in the foreseeable future.

Members of Delta Sigma Theta and other concerned citizens must advocate vigorously for common sense gun laws that will reduce the rising number of deaths due to gun violence each year. The first step in this struggle is a federal law that mandates universal background checks for ALL gun purchases including purchases made at gun shows, through classified ads, the Internet, and between individuals.

Given the strangle hold pro-gun groups currently have on a majority of members of the U.S. Congress, it may be some time before federal legislation to require universal background checks is proposed. In the mean time, we can advocate for state mandated universal background checks in states (like Missouri) that do not yet have such laws.

Please send tweets, email messages, make phone calls, and/or write letters to your state legislators as well as your elected representatives in the U.S. Congress. To facilitate your advocacy, sample messages are provided on the attached pages. CONTACTING U.S. REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE

Go to http://www.house.gov

If you’re not sure who your representative is scroll down to the “Find Your Representative” box and type in your zip code.

A screen will appear with a photo of your representative on the left side. Click on your rep’s name to access his or her contact information.

Note: You will not be able to email your representative directly but you can send an email message via a “contact form.” You should see how to access the contact form by clicking on Contact, Contact Me or Contact Us.

U.S. SENATOR Go to http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Use the three drop-down menu boxes at the top of the screen to locate to get contact information for your senators.

Note: If you click on the email address listed for your senator you will be taken directly to his/her email contact form.

Sample Letter to U.S. Senators

Date ______Honorable ______, U.S. Senator from ______Dirksen, Hart or Russell Senate Office Building, Room ____ Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Senator ______:

I thank you for serving the citizens of ______by representing our interests in the U.S. Senate. (If you are a constituent be sure to say so.) We appreciate your attention to issues important to us.

The problem of escalating gun violence is a matter of great concern to me. The increasing number of mass murders and deaths due to firearms is very alarming. I understand that 40 per cent of firearm sales are transacted without background checks due to loopholes in current law. I am very disappointed that the U.S. Congress has refused to pass federal legislation that would provide common sense measures that will help curb the destructive explosion of gun violence in America. Universal background checks would close the Gun Show Loophole and would ensure that the backgrounds of all people who purchase guns are checked to prevent those who are felons, criminals, terrorists, and mentally ill from purchasing gums. I believe that there is universal consensus that such people should not be allowed to purchase firearms. Therefore, it is very difficult to understand why a majority of our elected representatives in the U.S. Congress continue to fail to enact this desperately needed legislation.

This is to ask you to work with your colleagues in the Senate to close the Gun Show Loophole by enacting federal legislation that will require universal background checks. I am convinced that over time this will help make our communities safer.

Thank you for taking time to give attention to my concern. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

______, Member

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

(List your credentials)

Your address

Your City, State, and zip code Your Email address

Your phone number

Sample Letter to Member of U.S. House of Representatives

Date______

Honorable ______U.S. House of Representatives __#____ Cannon, Ford, Longworth or Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Representative ______:

Thank you for serving the citizens of ______by representing our interests in the U.S. House of Representatives. (If you are a constituent, be sure to say so.)We appreciate your attention to issues that are very important to us.

The problem of escalating gun violence is a matter of great concern to me. The increasing number of mass murders and deaths due to firearms is very alarming. I understand that 40 per cent of firearm sales are transacted without background checks due to loopholes in current law. I am very disappointed that the U.S. Congress has refused to pass federal legislation that would provide common sense measures that will help curb the destructive explosion of gun violence in America. Universal background checks would close the Gun Show Loophole and would ensure that the backgrounds of all people who purchase guns are checked to prevent those who are felons, criminals, terrorists, and mentally ill from purchasing gums. I believe that there is universal consensus that such people should not be allowed to purchase firearms. Therefore, it is very difficult to understand why a majority of our elected representatives in the U.S. Congress continue to fail to enact this desperately needed legislation.

This is to ask you to work with your colleagues in the U.S. House to close the Gun Show Loophole by enacting federal legislation that will require universal background checks. I am convinced that over time this will help make our communities safer.

Thank you for taking time to give attention to my concern. I look forward to your response. Sincerely,

______, Member

Your address

Your City, State, and zip code

Your Email address

Your phone number

Contacting Members of the Missouri General Assembly.

Sample letters and rosters for the Missouri House of Representatives and the Missouri Senate follow. You can actually send members of the Missouri General Assembly hard copies of letters by the U.S. Postal Service or electronically by email.

Email addresses for members of the Missouri House of Representatives are: first name.last [email protected]

Email addresses for members of the Missouri Senate are very similar: first name.last [email protected]

Information about members of the Missouri House of Representatives can be obtained online by going to: www.house.mo.gov/. To get email addresses for members of the House click on “Members” or “Representative Directory.” Click on the representative’s name to get to a screen that shows his/her email address. Get more information about members of the Missouri Senate by going to www.senate.mo.gov. Click on “Senators.” Click on a senator’s picture to access detailed information including his/her email address.

Sample Letter for Representative in the Missouri House

Date ______

The Honorable [Insert Representative’s Name] 201 West Capitol Avenue, Room _____ Jefferson City, MO 65101

Dear Representative ______:

Thank you for serving the citizens of District___ by representing our interests in the Missouri House of Representatives. We appreciate your attention to issues that are very important to us.

There are several matters that concern me greatly. One is the issue of gun violence. I am very disappointed that the Missouri General Assembly has not passed legislation that would provide common sense measures that will help curb the destructive explosion of gun violence in our state. Universal background checks would close the Gun Show Loophole and would ensure that the backgrounds of all people who purchase guns in Missouri are checked to prevent those who are felons, criminals, terrorists, and mentally ill from purchasing guns. I believe there is universal consensus that such people should not be allowed to purchase firearms. Therefore, it is very difficult to understand why a majority of our elected representatives in the Missouri General assembly continue to fail to enact this desperately needed legislation. I ask you to work with your colleagues in the General Assembly to close the Gun Show Loophole by enacting state legislation that will require background checks throughout Missouri when firearms are sold at gun shows, through classified newspaper ads, the Internet and between individuals in the state.

If, in fact, you do support universal background checks please accept my hearty thank you. I urge you not give up the struggle but to continue working for passage of this life and death legislation for all Missourians.

Sincerely,

______, Member

Your address

Your Email address

Your phone number

Sample Letter for State Senator

Date ______

The Honorable [Insert Senator’s Name] 201 West Capitol Avenue, Room _____ Jefferson City, MO 65101

Dear Senator ______: Thank you for serving the citizens of District___ by representing our interests in the Missouri House of Representatives. We appreciate your attention to issues that are very important to us.

There are several matters that concern me greatly. One is the issue of gun violence. I am very disappointed that the Missouri General Assembly has not passed legislation that would provide common sense measures that will help curb the destructive explosion of gun violence in our state. Universal background checks would close the Gun Show Loophole and would ensure that the backgrounds of all people who purchase guns in Missouri are checked to prevent those who are felons, criminals, terrorists, and mentally ill from purchasing guns. I believe there is universal consensus that such people should not be allowed to purchase firearms. Therefore, it is very difficult to understand why a majority of our elected representatives in the Missouri General assembly continue to fail to enact this desperately needed legislation.

I ask you to work with your colleagues in the General Assembly to close the Gun Show Loophole by enacting state legislation that will require background checks throughout Missouri when firearms are sold at gun shows, through classified newspaper ads, the Internet and between individuals in the state.

If, in fact, you do support universal background checks please accept my hearty thank you. I urge you not give up the struggle but to continue working for passage of this life and death legislation for all Missourians.

Sincerely,

______, Member

Your address

Your Email address

Your phone number Member Roster

A : B : C : D : E : F : G : H : I : J : K : L : M : N O : P : Q : R : S : T : U : V : W : X : Y : Z

Highlighted districts are in the St. Louis Area.

Distric Last Name First Name Party Phone Room t

Adams Joe 086 Democrat 573-751-4265 105-H Alferman Justin 061 Republican 573-751-6668 116-2 Allen Sue 100 Republican 573-751-9765 310 Anders Ira 021 Democrat 573-751-5701 101-E Anderson Sonya 131 Republican 573-751-2948 233-A Andrews Allen 001 Republican 573-751-9465 135-AB Arthur Lauren 018 Democrat 573-751-2199 109-F Austin Kevin 136 Republican 573-751-0232 302-B Bahr Kurt 102 Republican 573-751-9768 408-B Barnes Jay 060 Republican 573-751-2412 306-A Basye Chuck 047 Republican 573-751-1501 201-G Beard Nathan 052 Republican 573-751-9774 409-A Bernskoetter Mike 059 Republican 573-751-0665 414 Berry T.J. 038 Republican 573-751-2238 205 Black Linda 117 Republican 573-751-2317 411-2 Bondon Jack 056 Republican 573-751-2175 201-F Brattin Rick 055 Republican 573-751-3783 114-C Brown Cloria 094 Republican 573-751-3719 406-A Brown Wanda 057 Republican 573-751-3971 412-C Burlison Eric 133 Republican 573-751-0136 316 Burns Bob 093 Democrat 573-751-0211 109-E Butler Michael 079 Democrat 573-751-6800 109-D Carpenter Jon 015 Democrat 573-751-4787 101-I Chipman Jason 120 Republican 573-751-1688 115-H Cierpiot Mike 030 Republican 573-751-0907 302-B Colona Mike 080 Democrat 573-751-6736 107 Conway Kathie 104 Republican 573-751-2250 114-B Conway Pat 010 Democrat 573-751-9755 109-B Cookson Steve 153 Republican 573-751-1066 403-A Corlew Kevin 014 Republican 573-751-3618 201-A Cornejo Robert 064 Republican 573-751-1484 115-B Crawford Sandy 129 Republican 573-751-1167 207-B Cross Gary L. 035 Republican 573-751-1459 112 Curtis Courtney Allen 073 Democrat 573-751-0855 135-BB Curtman Paul 109 Republican 573-751-3776 306-B Davis Charlie 162 Republican 573-751-7082 234 Dogan Shamed 098 Republican 573-751-4392 201-C Dohrman Dean 051 Republican 573-751-2204 115-G Dugger Tony 141 Republican 573-751-2205 300 Dunn Randy 023 Democrat 573-751-0538 135-BA Eggleston J. 002 Republican 573-751-4285 406-B Ellington Brandon 022 Democrat 573-751-3129 101-C Engler Kevin 116 Republican 573-751-3455 313-3 English Keith 068 Independent 573-751-9628 317-A Entlicher Sue 128 Republican 573-751-1347 207-A Fitzpatrick Scott 158 Republican 573-751-1488 415-A Fitzwater Paul 144 Republican 573-751-2112 110-B Fitzwater Travis 049 Republican 573-751-5226 116-A2 Flanigan Tom 163 Republican 573-751-5458 309 Fraker Lyndall 137 Republican 573-751-3819 304-A Franklin Diane 123 Republican 573-751-1119 206-B Frederick Keith 121 Republican 573-751-3834 403-B Gannon Elaine 115 Republican 573-751-7735 304-B Gardner Kimberly 077 Democrat 573-751-1400 101D Gosen Don 101 Republican 573-751-1247 311 Green Alan 067 Democrat 573-751-2135 102-BA Haahr Elijah 134 Republican 573-751-2210 410-A Haefner Marsha 095 Republican 573-751-3762 305-A Hansen Jim 040 Republican 573-751-4028 405-A Harris Ben 118 Democrat 573-751-2398 105-A Hicks Ron 107 Republican 573-751-1470 115-E Higdon Galen 011 Republican 573-751-3643 412-A Hill Justin 108 Republican 573-751-3572 116-A1 Hinson Dave 119 Republican 573-751-0549 411-A Hoskins Denny 054 Republican 573-751-4302 301 Hough Lincoln 135 Republican 573-751-9809 411-B Houghton Jay 043 Republican 573-751-3649 412-B Hubbard Penny 078 Democrat 573-751-2383 105-B Hubrecht Tila 151 Republican 573-751-1494 203-C Hummel Jacob 081 Democrat 573-751-0438 204 Hurst Tom 062 Republican 573-751-1344 206-C Johnson Delus 009 Republican 573-751-3666 302-1 Jones Caleb 050 Republican 573-751-2134 303-A Justus Jeffery 156 Republican 573-751-1309 115-D Keeney Taylor Shelley 145 Republican 573-751-5912 313-1 Kelley Mike 127 Republican 573-751-2165 235 Kendrick Kip 045 Democrat 573-751-4189 106-B Kidd Bill 020 Republican 573-751-3674 201-E King Nick 017 Republican 573-751-1218 201-CA Kirkton Jeanne 091 Democrat 573-751-1285 135-BC Koenig Andrew 099 Republican 573-751-5568 312 Kolkmeyer Glen 053 Republican 573-751-1462 400-CA Korman Bart 042 Republican 573-751-2689 113 Kratky Michele 082 Democrat 573-751-4220 109-C LaFaver Jeremy 025 Democrat 573-751-2437 105-J Lair Mike 007 Republican 573-751-2917 402 Lant Bill 159 Republican 573-751-9801 400 Lauer Jeanie 032 Republican 573-751-1487 413-B Lavender Deb 090 Democrat 573-751-4069 105I Leara Mike 096 Republican 573-751-2150 313-2 Lichtenegger Donna 146 Republican 573-751-6662 314 Love Warren 125 Republican 573-751-4065 235-BA Lynch Steve 122 Republican 573-751-1446 115A Marshall Nick 013 Republican 573-751-6593 134 Mathews Kirk 110 Republican 573-751-0562 203-A May Karla 084 Democrat 573-751-2198 101-J McCaherty John 097 Republican 573-751-3751 401-B McCann Beatty Gail 026 Democrat 573-751-2124 130-DB McCreery Tracy 088 Democrat 573-751-7535 105-E McDaniel Andrew 150 Republican 573-751-3629 115-I McDonald Tom 028 Democrat 573-751-9851 109-A McGaugh Joe Don 039 Republican 573-751-1468 236-A McGee DaRon 036 Democrat 573-751-9469 109G McNeil Margo 069 Democrat 573-751-5365 130-DC Meredith Sue 071 Democrat 573-751-4183 109I Messenger Jeffrey 130 Republican 573-751-2381 407-A Miller Rocky 124 Republican 573-751-3604 233-B Mims Bonnaye 027 Democrat 573-751-7639 103-BA Mitten Gina 083 Democrat 573-751-2883 101-B Montecillo Genise 092 Democrat 573-751-9472 130-DA Moon Mike 157 Republican 573-751-4077 203-B Morgan Judy 024 Democrat 573-751-4485 101-G Morris Lynn 140 Republican 573-751-2565 200-BC Muntzel Dave 048 Republican 573-751-0169 235-BB Neely Jim 008 Republican 573-751-0246 110-A Newman Stacey 087 Democrat 573-751-0100 101-K Nichols Mary 072 Democrat 573-751-1832 101-A Norr Charlie 132 Democrat 573-751-3795 105-D Otto Bill 070 Democrat 573-751-4163 103-BC Pace Sharon 074 Democrat 573-751-4726 105-G Parkinson Mark 105 Republican 573-751-2949 200-A Peters Joshua 076 Democrat 573-751-7605 103BB Pfautsch Donna 033 Republican 573-751-9766 236-B Phillips Don 138 Republican 573-751-3851 135 Pierson Tommie 066 Democrat 573-751-6845 101-H Pietzman Randy 041 Republican 573-751-9459 201-D Pike Patricia 126 Republican 573-751-5388 400-CB Plocher Dean 089 Republican 573-751-1544 135-AA Pogue Jeff 143 Republican 573-751-2264 400-CC Redmon Craig 004 Republican 573-751-3644 111 Rehder Holly 148 Republican 573-751-5471 404-B Reiboldt Bill 160 Republican 573-751-9781 303-B Remole Tim 006 Republican 573-751-6566 201-BA Rhoads Shawn 154 Republican 573-751-1455 407-B Richardson Todd 152 Republican 573-751-4039 308 Rizzo John 019 Democrat 573-751-3310 102-BB Roden Shane 111 Republican 573-751-4567 115-J Roeber Rebecca 034 Republican 573-751-1456 116-3 Rone Don 149 Republican 573-751-4085 116-1 Ross Robert 142 Republican 573-751-1490 114-A Rowden Caleb 044 Republican 573-751-1169 415-B Rowland Lyle 155 Republican 573-751-2042 413-A Rowland Rory 029 Democrat 573-751-3623 109H Runions Joe 037 Democrat 573-751-0238 101-F Ruth Becky 114 Republican 573-751-4451 115-F Shaul Dan 113 Republican 573-751-2504 116-5 Shull Noel J 016 Republican 573-751-9458 201-B Shumake Lindell 005 Republican 573-751-3613 404-A Smith Clem 085 Democrat 573-751-4468 105-C Solon Sheila 031 Republican 573-751-8636 305-B Sommer Chrissy 106 Republican 573-751-1452 401-A Spencer Bryan 063 Republican 573-751-1460 200-B Swan Kathryn 147 Republican 573-751-1443 115-C Taylor Jered 139 Republican 573-751-3833 116-4 Vescovo Rob 112 Republican 573-751-3607 409-B Walker Nate 003 Republican 573-751-3647 405-B Walton Gray Rochelle 075 Democrat 573-751-5538 105-F Webber Stephen 046 Democrat 573-751-9753 106-A White Bill 161 Republican 573-751-3791 408-A Wiemann John 103 Republican 573-751-2176 135-AC Wilson Kenneth 012 Republican 573-751-9760 206-A Wood David 058 Republican 573-751-2077 410-B Zerr Anne 065 Republican 573-751-3717 315 Missouri State Senate 2016 Senators

PDF of the 98th General Assembly Senate Roster Excel File of the Senate Roster All written correspondence may be sent to: Senator senator’s name 201 W Capitol Ave., Rm. room number Jefferson City, MO 65101 Please include your full name, address and phone number on any correspondence. Party/ Capitol Senator District Office Capitol Phone Dan Brown R-16 422 (573) 751-5713 Maria Chappelle-Nadal D-14 428 (573) 751-4106 Mike Cunningham R-33 331 (573) 751-1882 S. Kiki Curls D-9 434 (573) 751-3158 Bob Dixon R-30 221 (573) 751-2583 Ed Emery R-31 426 (573) 751-2108 Dan Hegeman R-12 332 (573) 751-1415 Jason Holsman D-7 421 (573) 751-6607 Joseph Keaveny D-4 333 (573) 751-3599 Mike Kehoe R-6 321 (573) 751-2076 Will Kraus R-8 418 (573) 751-1464 Doug Libla R-25 219 (573) 751-4843 Brian Munzlinger R-18 319 (573) 751-7985 Jamilah Nasheed D-5 328 (573) 751-4415 Bob Onder R-2 226 (573) 751-1282 Mike Parson R-28 420 (573) 751-8793 David Pearce R-21 227 (573) 751-2272 Ron Richard R-32 326 (573) 751-2173 Jeanie Riddle R-10 431 (573) 751-2757 Gary Romine R-3 429 (573) 751-4008 David Sater R-29 419 (573) 751-1480 Rob Schaaf R-34 423 (573) 751-2183 Kurt Schaefer R-19 416 (573) 751-3931 Dave Schatz R-26 433 (573) 751-3678 Eric Schmitt R-15 320 (573) 751-2853 Jill Schupp D-24 425 (573) 751-9762 Scott Sifton D-1 329 (573) 751-0220 Ryan Silvey R-17 331A (573) 751-5282 Wayne Wallingford R-27 225 (573) 751-2459 Gina Walsh D-13 427 (573) 751-2420 Jay Wasson R-20 323 (573) 751-1503 Paul Wieland R-22 334 (573) 751-1492 Vacant – District 11 (573) 751-3074 Vacant – District 23 (573) 751-1141

Highlighted districts are in the St. Louis area.