Frank Clark: This awful slaughter must be stopped, and Congress must help

To Rep. Jeff Denham:

I don’t often do this, but I feel my opinion is important here. I want to speak about the recent shooting in Florida, your re-election and the firearms controversy. I have always supported you and even attended a couple of your fund raisers. We cannot afford to lose you in Congress.

After 75 years, I am tied into our Oakdale community and have connections throughout Stanislaus County. I spent 12 years on the Modesto Police Department and 23 years at E.&J. Gallo Winery, retiring as a vice president. I offer my opinion in the hope you will listen and act accordingly.

Please take a strong stance in addressing the firearms crisis in our nation. Demand stronger background checks and the total elimination of possession of weapons such as the AR-15. If you fail to do so there is a strong possibility you will not be re-elected.

People are fed up with the failure of Congress to address this problem year after year and shooting after shooting. The very first step to be taken is the elimination of the AR-15 and other assault-style weapons.

I know such a move would not totally eliminate the possibility of future mass shootings, but it would be a step in the right direction and certainly be approved by the majority of your constituents.

I have served as president of the Modesto Police Officers Association, the Oakdale Rotary Club, the Oakdale Educational Foundation and I was the founder of the Oakdale Senior Citizens Foundation. I was honored with the American Legion Medal of Honor and also honored to be named Oakdale Citizen of the Year, Stanislaus County Citizen of the Year and received the Oakdale Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award. I think people will listen to me and not only accept, but appreciate my opinion.

I have a lot of soul searching to do before I vote. But stopping this awful slaughter will be a critical factor in my decision. I will work diligently to elect someone who takes steps to eliminate these weapons of mass murder. Please heed my advice!

This story was originally published February 22, 2018 at 3:56 PM with the headline "Frank Clark: This awful slaughter must be stopped, and Congress must help."