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Mine (one of many - I realize she isn't the first choice...)

Sen. Hutchison,

I am a full time police officer in the Brazos Valley. I am writing concerning the recent hysteria and opportunity created by the tragedy in Newton. You may remember, that we recently lost one of our local Constables to a shooting by a mentally ill subject armed with a weapon many would falsely consider an "assault rifle." Many of the officers that responded that day, including many from our agency, carried personally owned AR-15 patterned rifles to bring in to that situation. Our agency allows and encourages officers to use personally owned ARs, as do many across the country.

In my line of work, I deal with armed persons quite regularly. I would like to express my concern and fear with the legislation I have read about on Diane Feinstein's website. The weapons that criminals are obtaining to use are not procured through the existing legal channels. My fear is that in an attempt to DO SOMETHING in response to the evil acts in Newton, such legislation will merely limit legitimately owned weapons, including many owned by me, officers at my agency, and law abiding citizens.

Furthermore, I absolutely feel that an average, law-abiding, citizen has a need for these AR patterned rifles. In the shooting in our city, a CHL holder engaged the mentally deranged person with only a pistol, trying to keep him behind cover and not shooting. Perpetrators of such violent acts will not limit their targets to school children and police officers. This is an increasing threat that citizens need to be able to answer - especially with the border violence spewing into our state.

I forsee bans being proposed limiting magazine capacities. If I am to patrol the public streets, and I am issued 15-17 rounds per magazine, I would offer that the same threats exist to every day law abiding citizens. As such, they should be allowed the same magazine capacity to meet them in the same manner my LEO partners and I can.

Sen Hutchinson, I ask of that you please support these ideals in the face what appears to be ineffective knee jerk legislation, and instead focus on increasing care for the mentally ill.