thread-index: AdBR9AzzCoVdlM/hTEOcVoUm6xmOmw==
Thread-Topic: S3 and the House Bill on CDV
From: <governor.haley@sc.lmhostediq.com>
To: <governor.haley@sc.lmhostediq.com>
Subject: S3 and the House Bill on CDV
Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2015 13:43:02 -0500
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<APP>CUSTOM
<PREFIX>Mr.</PREFIX>
<FIRST>Paul</FIRST>
<MIDDLE></MIDDLE>
<LAST>Shults</LAST>
<SUFFIX></SUFFIX>
<TITLE></TITLE>
<ORGANIZATION></ORGANIZATION>
<ADDR1>354 Cabell Street</ADDR1>
<ADDR2></ADDR2>
<CITY>Charleston</CITY>
<STATE>SC</STATE>
<ZIP>29407</ZIP>
<EMAIL>pwshults@bellsouth.net</EMAIL>
<PHONE_H>8438609797</PHONE_H>
<PHONE_B>8438609797</PHONE_B>
<ISSUE>JUDI</ISSUE>
<SUBJECT>S3 and the House Bill on CDV</SUBJECT>
<MSG>
Governor Haley:

I have closely followed the debate in the SC Senate regarding Criminal Domestic Violence (CDV) and the recently passed bill, S3.

As a constituent, I wish to make my wishes known.

On occasion, false accusations of CDV are made with subsequent and immediate arrest of the accused.
Guilt is assumed and arrest follows immediately as a matter of policy.

I am adamantly opposed to the confiscation of weapons of the accused; especially the first time accused.

Restricting gun possession and/or ownership from those convicted of CDV makes sense, but assuming guilt and confiscating guns (heirlooms) before such conviction amounts to government overreach in my view.

Furthermore, I believe 10 years (and even 5 years) is too long to ban (and return) guns to those convicted. 3 years should be sufficient for behavioral change.

Be careful if you think a new law will stop a deranged person from committing murder. Anyone intent on that kind of behavior will not be stopped by the threat or act of gun confiscation.

Furthermore, if guns are confiscated by authorities, then I insist on a program whereby the guns be returned without delay after the penalty is served.

I have repeatedly asked the Senate to focus more on empowering the victims of CDV rather than focusing on gun confiscation.

Specifically, I suggest we create a program that empowers victims with self defense skills; even armed self defense.

I believe the surest way to stop the violence is to empower the victims with the skills to courageously and confidently stand up to the abuser. My experience is that bullies soon quit their behavior when faced with a capable adversary.

I am suggesting a mandatory pre-trial intervention program that immediately equips victims with self defense skills, and mandatory pre-trial intervention for both accused and accuser alike in anger management to help solve the root causes of CDV.

As a taxpayer, I am willing to fund this approach.

Again, I am opposed to routine, and immediate gun (heirloom) confiscation on the basis of accusation alone.

This approach gives rise to another form of abuse which carries with it far reaching consequences that fly in the face of American liberty.

Finally, I wish to bring to your attention that good policy is founded on a balanced reporting of the facts.

It is a fact that the news media ignores, and does not report, the thousands of incidents that occur everyday all across this nation where a lawfully armed citizen thwarts violence, stops crime, and saves lives often without a shot ever being fired.

"Burglar/ thug put to flight by armed citizen; no shots fired" does not make the news. It doesn't sell papers or soap.

However it is a forceful and prominent part of American life and responsibility that is not recognized or rewarded.

I recommend a study for your reading list that addresses this issue published in 2007 entitled, "Tough Targets: When Criminals Face Armed Resistance By Citizens" by Clayton E Cramer and David Burnett.

This reality must be part of any fair debate.

The 2nd Amendment is fundamental to our liberty and freedom in America. Tread lightly if you think you know best how to remove this God given right.

Respectfully
Paul Shults
Charleston, SC
</MSG>

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