Yesterday, despite overwhelming public opposition present, the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee voted to advance the most sweeping and extreme package of Second Amendment-infringing legislation in Colorado history.
The Senate Judiciary Committee, by a 3-2 vote, advanced the following anti-gun bills:
- House Bill 1224 – Bans magazines with a capacity greater than fifteen rounds.
- Senate Bill 196 – Holds all manufacturers, distributors and owners of any rifle -- excluding bolt-action -- they produce, sell or use, liable if that gun is misused to harm another person. The definition of an "assault weapon" subject to liability in SB 196 includes a single shot or double-barreled shotgun and any break-open rifle as well as every semi-automatic rifle and shotgun. This is a backdoor to banning legal firearms and is in direct violation of the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.
Also by a 3-2 vote, the Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee passed the following anti-gun bills:
- House Bill 1226 – Repeals current law allowing individuals with a concealed carry permit to carry a firearm for self-defense on a college or university campus.
- House Bill 1228 – Imposes a “gun tax” for a background check when purchasing a firearm.
- House Bill 1229 – Criminalizes the private transfer of a firearm.
With the same lightening speed as the House when it passed four of these measures, all five bills above are expected to be on the Senate floor for a second reading this Friday.
Even though tens of thousands of pro-gun supporters have voiced their opposition to these measures through public testimony, calls, e-mails and rallies, Governor John Hickenlooper seems to think that your voice is in the minority. When asked about the outpouring number of individuals who have been showing up in Denver to oppose these anti-gun bills, Hickenlooper said, "Not only do they not represent the middle, I don't think they represent the Republican party. I don't think they represent a large number of people.”
WE NEED YOU to stand united in this monumental fight and COME TO THE SENATE GALLERY this Friday, March 8 to hold your state Senator accountable by making sure they vote NO on these restrictive bills. Help show Governor Hickenlooper that the majority do oppose these measures and feel that these restrictive bills are the wrong legislative direction to take Colorado.
As currently scheduled, the Senate will convene this Friday at 9:00 a.m., so please plan to arrive at the Capitol at 8:30 a.m. However, please stay tuned to www.nraila.org for adjustments in the schedule. In the meantime, please make sure you are calling AND e-mailing your state Senator and respectfully encouraging him or her to oppose HB 1224, HB 1226, HB 1228, HB 1229 and SB 196.
To reach your state Senator, please call 303-866-2316.
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