You do not have to show up at the State House to make your voice heard. There are two ways to contact a committee about a bill: writing directly to the committee by email, or using the email and petition form on each bill page of this tracker. Both matter. Here is how to use each one effectively.
Option 1: Email the Committee Directly #
This is written testimony — a direct email to the committee from you as a constituent. It goes into the official record and is read by committee staff and members. A personal, well-written message carries significant weight, especially when a committee receives many of them before a hearing.
When to Send #
Send before the scheduled hearing date. Earlier is better — testimony submitted the day before may not be read in time. Check the bill page on this tracker for the hearing date. If no date is listed, the bill is still in committee and you can send anytime.
Who to Send It To #
Send to the committee holding the hearing. Each bill page on this tracker lists the committee email address. You can also find contact information on our Committee pages.
- House Judiciary: [email protected]
- Senate Judiciary: [email protected]
- House Finance: [email protected]
- Senate Finance: [email protected]
If your own state representative or senator sits on the committee, send them a copy as well.
What to Include #
Keep it short and direct. A clear, focused message is more effective than a lengthy essay.
- Your name and the town you live in
- The bill number in the subject line so staff can route it correctly
- Whether you support or oppose the bill and why, in one or two sentences
- How the bill would affect you personally as a gun owner
- A direct ask — urge the committee to vote against it or advance it
Tips for Written Testimony #
- Write in your own words. Form letters help show volume but a personal message has more impact.
- Be respectful and factual. Angry or threatening messages are discarded.
- If you represent a business, shooting range, gun club, or organization, say so. Institutional voices carry additional weight.
- You can email a committee at any time, not just when a hearing is scheduled.
Option 2: Use the Tracker Bill Page Form #
Every bill on this tracker has an email and petition form at the bottom of the page. This is the fastest way to take action on a specific bill.
What It Does #
- Sends a pre-written email directly to the correct committee on your behalf
- Logs your submission as part of the petition count for that bill
- The petition count is visible on the bill page and is shared with committee members as a show of constituent pressure
When to Use It #
Use the form when speed matters — particularly when a hearing is imminent or just announced. It takes under a minute and ensures your message reaches the right committee without having to look up contact information.
Tips for the Webform #
- The pre-written letter is a starting point. Editing it with a personal sentence or two makes your submission more effective than the default text alone.
- Share the bill page link with other gun owners. Every additional submission adds to the petition count and increases the visible pressure on the committee.
- The form and the direct email are not mutually exclusive — doing both on the same bill sends the strongest signal.
