A bill that aimed to prohibit the sale and transfer of semi-automatic firearms was rejected in the Democratic-controlled Legislature of Colorado on Tuesday. This decision comes as lawmakers push forward with several other gun control bills, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the tragic Columbine High School massacre.
The western state has a rich history with firearms, marked by some of the most prominent mass shootings in the country. These factors greatly influence the gun control debates in the Legislature, making it challenging to implement bans similar to those in place in nine other Democratic-controlled states, such as California and New York.
The ban on semi-automatic firearms was passed by the Colorado House, marking a historic milestone and a significant accomplishment for its supporters. This achievement comes after a similar proposal was quickly dismissed last year. However, some Senate Democrats express concerns about the ban’s effectiveness and scope, as it prohibits the sale, transfer, and manufacture of semi-automatic firearms.
Colorado’s shift towards stricter gun control measures is clearly demonstrated by the successful passage of several bills last year. One notable change was raising the minimum age for purchasing a firearm from 18 to 21. This year, the state is on the verge of passing around six additional proposals. Among them, one bill aims to introduce a measure on the November 2024 ballot to impose taxes on the sales of guns and ammunition. Another proposal seeks to enhance the investigative powers of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to tackle illegal gun sales effectively.
Attempts to implement a broader ban in the state have been hindered by the strong presence of purple roots.
Ten years ago, the state witnessed its inaugural recall elections as two lawmakers were removed from office due to their backing of legislation that imposed restrictions on ammunition magazines and broadened background checks.
Democratic state Senator Julie Gonzales, one of the sponsors of the semi-automatic ban bill, believes that the impact of history still remains. According to her, the passage of the proposal in the House signifies the possibility of engaging in new and meaningful discussions.
But for now, Gonzales requested that the legislation be set aside during a sparsely attended committee hearing on Tuesday. He made this request due to the opposition from Senate Democrats.
Democratic state Sen. Tom Sullivan, who would have voted against the bill, sits on that committee, alongside Republican lawmakers who have strongly criticized it as a violation of Second Amendment rights.
Sullivan’s son, Alex, lost his life in the tragic 2012 Aurora theater shooting during a midnight screening of “The Dark Knight Rises.” This devastating event served as a turning point for Sullivan, propelling him into action as an advocate for stricter gun control measures. Since then, he has taken on a role in public office and has been at the forefront of numerous bills aimed at addressing this pressing issue.
According to Sullivan, the firearms targeted by the bill are responsible for only a small portion of gun-related deaths and injuries. These weapons include a variety of semi-automatic rifles, as well as certain pistols and shotguns that possess specific features like a threaded barrel or detachable stock.
Sullivan argued that banning guns wouldn’t have a significant impact on reducing gun violence. Moreover, he pointed out that the proposal consumes a considerable amount of political attention in the state capitol, which could be better utilized for implementing more effective and less contentious measures for gun control.
“The narrative is completely off,” remarked Sullivan, emphasizing his point. “They want you to believe that it’s all about assault weapons and schools. But that’s not the whole truth. It’s about suicides and domestic violence.”
Democratic state Representative Tim Hernández, one of the bill’s sponsors, revealed that he had engaged in numerous discussions with Sullivan in the months leading up to this.
“We both acknowledge that implementing an assault weapons ban alone will not solve the ongoing issue of gun violence,” Hernández stated. “In order to comprehensively address the various forms of gun violence, we must implement policies that address all of its manifestations.”
The proposal is set to make a comeback in the coming year.
Other bills that are close to reaching the governor’s desk include a proposal that aims to enhance safety training requirements for individuals applying for a concealed carry permit. Additionally, another bill seeks to mandate firearm dealers to acquire a state permit in addition to the federal one, thereby granting regulators more authority to enforce state gun laws.
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