2/01 Hostettler Letter to HUD Secretary Martinez

Hostettler Letter to HUD Secretary Martinez
Gun Owners of America
8001 Forbes Place, Suite 102, Springfield, VA 22151
Phone: 703-321-8585 / FAX: 703-321-8408

The Honorable Mel Martinez
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 7th Street SW
Washington, DC 20410

Dear Secretary Martinez:

Congratulations on your recent appointment to the office of Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). We extend to you the highest of hopes and are confidently assured in both your wisdom and experience for the task at hand.

We would like to take this time to share our views regarding the Communities for Safer Guns Coalition created by your predecessor, Secretary Andrew Cuomo. This initiative is the coercive mechanism by which HUD urges states, counties, and cities to show a preference in buying guns for law enforcement to manufacturers who enter into settlement agreements, such as in the case of Smith & Wesson. These agreements contain numerous provisions which infringe on lawful gun owners.

As you are probably aware, the House of Representatives voiced its disapproval of this HUD-created initiative when it passed the Hostettler Amendment to the HUD FY2001 Appropriations Bill by a vote of 218-207.

We believe, and are hopeful that you will concur, that HUD has more than enough challenges in its efforts to create opportunities for people in the areas of home ownership, low-income housing assistance, and enforcement of the nation’s fair housing laws. Moreover, HUD’s mission should not include activities that will, among other issues, result in our law enforcement officers’ weapon selection being based on political concerns rather than merit. We urge you, therefore, to put a halt to former Secretary Cuomo’s unauthorized program as soon as possible.

Again, congratulations. We look forward to working with you as you strive to improve the quality of life for the people of our great country.

Sincerely,

John N. Hostettler
Eighth District of Indiana
1507 LHOB
Washington DC 20515
(202)-225-4636