Letter to Senators and Representatives re: American Jewish Congress' "Stop the Guns Campaign"

To: Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA)
Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA)
Hon. Paul Kanjorski (D-PA)
cc: American Jewish Congress
 

20 December, 2000

Subject: American Jewish Congress' "Stop the Guns" Campaign, statement of opposition

Dear Mr. Santorum, Mr. Specter, Mr. Kanjorski,

I am writing about the American Jewish Congress' "Stop the Guns Campaign" at
http://ajcongress.org/ptchoice.htm and the associated petition at http://ajcongress.org/gcimage6.htm.

The American Jewish Congress has no authority to speak for me as a Jewish American. I donated money to the National Rifle Association's Political Victory Fund this year to help defeat candidates who support mandatory gun licensing and registration. I also worked to help elect George Bush and NRA "A+" rated Senator Santorum. In fact, I ran election-season ads in the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader to remind local sportsmen of the Million Mom March's desire to ban handguns (and, per Rosie O'Donnell, perhaps hunting firearms as well). In summary, I have contributed substantial money and time to defeat everything the American Jewish Congress is pushing. Therefore, please do not assume that the American Jewish Congress speaks for American Jews on gun control.

Furthermore, I understand that the American Jewish Congress is a tax-exempt organization. I understand that tax regulations do not permit such organizations to devote "substantial" resources to attempts to influence legislation. I am not an authority on the tax codes, but I wonder where sponsoring a "petition to the Congress of the United States calling for the passage of meaningful gun control legislation" fits into this. I know that my donations to the NRA Institute for Legislative Action are not tax-deductible. Perhaps the individual members of the American Jewish Congress who support gun control should pursue their efforts through a legislative action group that does not claim tax-exempt status.

Regards,
 
 

William A. Levinson