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My state representative is Angie Chen Button. I have written her three times about gun-related issues with existing law, and recently I wrote her regarding the Speaker of the House brouhaha. Yesterday I received email from her Chief of Staff stating that she wanted my number because she wanted to talk to me. Today she called me. Unfortunately, I was attending one of my daughter's graduation ceremony, so I had to ask her if I could call her back. She said, "Sure, call me any time."

I'm amazed. I've been writing state and federal politicians who represent me my entire life. None has ever asked for my opinion, much less called me directly. I will definitely be calling her this weekend, because I'm dying to know what she wants to talk about.

Maybe this really is a new day in America.

Very nice. I hope you get a chance to really talk with her.

Please keep us posted, Bald Eagle. I'd be interested in what the topic for discussion is.

Yes, please keep us posted. I'm in your area and be interested to see what's up with her and her position. Thanks so much for taking the time to write her and post for us.

I too am interested in what she says. It has never happened to me.

I spoke to Angie Chen Button's Chief of Staff, Amanda Jeffers, today. She wanted my opinion on the Speaker Strauss issue and also wanted to talk about CHL-related matters, some of which I've raised with her through email. We talked for about fifteen or twenty minutes. Among other things we discussed the parking lot bill. She stated that there would be quite a debate about it, and that Rep. Button's mind was not made up on the issue. She said that there are two sides to the issue; private property rights vs. 2A. I pointed out to her that when an employee can prevent a CHL holder from locking their weapon in the car in the company parking lot, that employer has effectively disarmed legally armed employees. If they can't lock their weapons in their cars, then they aren't armed to and from work or when stopping at the store on the way home. She said that was a new perspective that she hadn't heard, and she would definitely discuss it with Rep. Button.

At the end of the call I told her that I really appreciated the fact that she was asking for my opinion. I told her to tell Rep. Button that I was 63 and she was the first politician that had ever asked for my opinion. She said she would pass that on to Rep. Button as well. Then she asked me if I would mind if she called me occasionally to solicit my opinion on CHL matters. Since neither she nor Rep. Button are CHL holders, she said she felt that I could be helpful in informing them of the viewpoint of CHL holders and what is important to them.

We also discussed the Voter ID bill (Rep. Button strongly supports it being a legal immigrant herself) as well as immigration issues.

I'm still amazed.

Sounds like a very productive call. If you get further opportunities, you might mention to her chief of staff that she can get expedited entry to the capitol building w. a CHL... and entice her to take the class. Can't hurt for her to become better educated about the training and vetting process.

baldeagle wrote:I spoke to Angie Chen Button's Chief of Staff, Amanda Jeffers, today. She wanted my opinion on the Speaker Strauss issue and also wanted to talk about CHL-related matters, some of which I've raised with her through email. We talked for about fifteen or twenty minutes. Among other things we discussed the parking lot bill. She stated that there would be quite a debate about it, and that Rep. Button's mind was not made up on the issue. She said that there are two sides to the issue; private property rights vs. 2A. I pointed out to her that when an employee can prevent a CHL holder from locking their weapon in the car in the company parking lot, that employer has effectively disarmed legally armed employees. If they can't lock their weapons in their cars, then they aren't armed to and from work or when stopping at the store on the way home. She said that was a new perspective that she hadn't heard, and she would definitely discuss it with Rep. Button.

At the end of the call I told her that I really appreciated the fact that she was asking for my opinion. I told her to tell Rep. Button that I was 63 and she was the first politician that had ever asked for my opinion. She said she would pass that on to Rep. Button as well. Then she asked me if I would mind if she called me occasionally to solicit my opinion on CHL matters. Since neither she nor Rep. Button are CHL holders, she said she felt that I could be helpful in informing them of the viewpoint of CHL holders and what is important to them.

We also discussed the Voter ID bill (Rep. Button strongly supports it being a legal immigrant herself) as well as immigration issues.

I'm still amazed.

More great news on the legislative front.

It's starting to look like the current crop of representatives might actually have an interest in representing instead of imposing.

Good to hear some are getting responses. You can't get a lot better than what you got. I've had a message sent to Myra Crownover's office for over a week now and have not heard a word. I'm starting to get discouraged about it.

4copas wrote:Good to hear some are getting responses. You can't get a lot better than what you got. I've had a message sent to Myra Crownover's office for over a week now and have not heard a word. I'm starting to get discouraged about it.

Try calling the office. If you get an answer, ask them why they haven't responded to your message. The only way we get the representation we deserve is by being proactive about engaging them.

I’m very disappointed with Myra Crownover and feel cheated she got votes from myself and family. The office does not answer emails or phone calls. They do not respond when messages are left.

4copas wrote:I’m very disappointed with Myra Crownover and feel cheated she got votes from myself and family. The office does not answer emails or phone calls. They do not respond when messages are left.

This could be the subject of your next e-mail that advises her she has got your last vote.

Well I tried a phone call one last time and finally got an answer. The staff person said they never got my other messages and apologised for what ever had happened. Very courteous and polite. We had a good conversation about the letter from Leo Berman to Straus. Glad to know that Myra Crownover feels the same way pretty much. We also talked about Campus Carry and Parking Lot bills. I was told she is very supportive of both of them. When asked about co-sponsoring, the staff person said she would talk to her and get more detailed information and call me back. A very good 20 minute or so conversation. All in all my faith has been restored for now.

Amy, from Senator John Carona's office called me today. I had written Senator Carona about a minor change to the laws, to improve some wording. We talked about CHL and she promised to ask Senator Carona, on my behalf, to co-sponsor Senator Wentworth's campus carry bill for the next session. She assured me that Senator Carona is very pro-gun, has a CHL and carries regularly and will vote for the campus carry bill. I also mentioned the employee parking lot bill. She was familiar with it, and said that Senator Carona supports it as well.

this post is encouraging... perhaps I need to make some phone calls and write some letters.