Nice to meet you — I’m Dave Hoover.

As a police officer for over 31 years, I’ve been shot at a number of times. Police officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities. It’s a choice and a privilege.

I’m writing to tell you that I support background checks on gun sales because as a police officer, I will do everything I can to make sure that my team of law enforcement officers keeps the public safe without being put at unnecessary risk. They’re my people — I love them, and I’m responsible for them.

I’m also writing to you because my nephew A.J. was doing what teenagers should be doing when he went to the movies in Aurora, Colorado almost two years ago. It’s one thing for an officer like me to be at the wrong end of a firearm, but that night, A.J. was murdered in an act of senseless gun violence — and it only drove home how urgent it is to get firearms out of the hands of dangerous people.

In Colorado, where we’ve implemented background checks, we’ve already stopped 167 people who shouldn’t own firearms from purchasing them.

That’s 167 fewer people putting my officers at risk — and 167 fewer chances that their families will have to feel the devastation of losing a loved one.

It’s National Police Week — and I hope you’ll let your local sheriff know that you are grateful for their service and that you support background checks to keep them and their deputies safe.

Look — I enjoy using firearms safely and responsibly. I’m a hunter who loves to take his family shooting in the mountains. I’m also a Republican — and have been since even before I was eligible to vote. But this isn’t about politics, it’s about common sense. My officers will tell you: Politics don’t mean a thing when you’re in a confrontation with a guy who has multiple felony warrants and a .40 caliber in his waistband.

This is about the men and women in all our police departments, their families, and the safety of all of our families.

When your job is to be in situations like these every day, you know that reducing gun violence is too important to leave to the politicians.

I’m not alone — I know that a lot of your local law enforcement officers feel the same. Please take a moment to tell them thanks, and let them know why you support background checks.

Thanks a lot. As a police officer, an uncle, and a parent I appreciate your support.

Take care,

Dave Hoover, Sergeant

For decades, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has undermined federal policy and pushed legislation that would destroy our public lands, our forests and our rivers.

Thumbing their nose at the constitution, they’ve enabled extremists like Cliven Bundy to threaten law enforcement and promote dangerous standoffs, endangering the lives of both the police and the public.

Help bring an end to these risky political games by joining our call for the Department of the Interior to investigate ALEC’s attacks on our environment and the officials who protect it.

If we don’t stand together today, we may lose our nation’s most beautiful treasures tomorrow. Imagine uranium mines in the Grand Canyon or fracking for oil in Yellowstone National Park. That is ALEC’s vision for America, not ours.

Wielding corporate influence and buying crooked politicians, they’ve repeatedly torn down critical health, safety and environmental rules – all so they can sell our country to the highest bidder. What’s more, ALEC has done all this while hiding in the shadows, never disclosing its role or the groups who fund its extreme agenda.

Sign our petition today and tell the Bureau of Land Management that we’ve had enough of ALEC’s political games!

Thanks for all that you do,

Marisol

Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education and Continuing the March Toward Justice

The Supreme Court’s ruling in Brown v. Board of Education marked a major victory for the cause of equal justice under law, an inflection point in American history, and a spark that in many ways ignited the modern Civil Rights Movement.

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In Case You Missed It: The President and Vice President Stop By a Shake Shack

Yesterday afternoon, President Obama and Vice President Biden stopped by a local Shake Shack for burgers, and spoke briefly about the need for Congress to pass transportation funding.

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West Wing Week 05/16/14 or, “Go Solar!”

This week, the President praised the power of solar, honored this year’s TOP COPS, awarded the Medal of Honor, and traveled to New York for the opening of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

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