Will Misenheimer

Lynch Hall

Charlotte, NC 28223

wmisenhe@uncc.edu

April 28th, 2016

National Rifle Association

11250 Waples Mill Road

Fairfax, VA 22030

Dear beloved Executives of the National Rifle Association,

Hello! My name is Will Misenheimer and I am a freshman Mechanical Engineering student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. I am contacting you, as an American gun owner, to provide input regarding to the infamous question, “Should firearms be controlled?.” Given your extremely high level of impact in our society and direct correlation to the matter at hand, I feel that contacting you provides me with a chance for my voice to be heard. Initially, my answer to the given question was an absolute no. I love my guns and more importantly, I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to defend him or herself.

Your Executive Vice President, Wayne LaPierre, put it best, nothing can stop a crook with a gun except for a good, law-abiding citizen willing to stop him, and also with a gun. But then I realized that guns don’t have to be controlled, we only need know where they are, who has them, and a receipt of transaction. This mentality falls right in line with many of the safety features that are in place today. For example, when I bought my rifle, I was put through a background check. I believe that this is an excellent means of ensuring that deadly weapons do not fall into the wrong hands. Take the Virginia News Shooting that occurred in August of 2015 for instance. Vester Flanagan, the reporter who shot the innocent news team members to death, was mentally incapable of handling a firearm. This man had a history of mental issues, having been admitted to a program that was to aid in his mental troubles. Individuals that are incapable of handling firearms should not pass background checks when attempting to purchase firearms. I fear that an individual with mental troubles who obtains a firearm may be a threat if he or she experiences an emotional “snap.” All of the commotion that is caused to “remove firearms” may be quieted if those who are incapable of handling firearms, who would most likely fail a background check, are not allowed to obtain firearms until proven responsible and worthy to operate such a tool.

Let me be clear that the law abiding citizens’ right to bear arms and defend him or herself should absolutely not be tampered with. I am encouraging you to push for a background check that denies permission for criminals (depending on the crime) and mentally incompetent individuals

to acquire firearms, as the level of gun-related violence and deaths would drop severely. This is to protect the innocent, while allowing the vulnerable, law abiding citizens to defend themselves.

I know that the National Rifle Association has been under severe duress as the question, “Should firearms be controlled?” has climbed its way to the social peak of this country. You can do something to end this never-ending debate, ensuring safety and right to bear arms for all who abide to the law. You have a profound voice and your impact on the mindset of the US government is substantial. Just as you have a sterling reputation for standing up for the law abiding citizen and the right thing, continue that pristine stature and push for what is not gun control, but the enhancement of background checks and the identification of firearms and their owners.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter. It is my hope that you will share the same beliefs as I and that together, we will make a difference in American safety. I may be reached using the address above or by reaching me through email, which is also listed above. I am extremely grateful for your time and listening ear.

Best regards,

Will Misenheimer