Colorado: Flawed Mental Health Bill Dies in Senate Committee

Yesterday, the Colorado Senate Committee on Business, Labor, & Technology voted 3-2 to postpone indefinitely, House Bill 1306.

As originally proposed by state Representative Beth McCann (D-8), HB 1306 would have nullified the right to due process for gun owners throughout Colorado.  After overwhelming opposition, Representative McCann pulled the original version from advancing further.

HB 1306 was reworked to establish a task force to review mental health issues as it relates to the possession of firearms.  While the NRA supports legitimate and reasonable discussion on firearms safety and fixing our broken mental health system, a task force that is contrived for biased and misleading conversation and recommendations is not the answer.

There were several major concerns with HB 1306 including:

• Appointed task force members would be heavily skewed towards those who would not stand up and fight for your Right to Keep and Bear Arms.
• Some state and national mental health groups and associations believe the recommendations could discourage individuals who need help from seeking treatment.
• Your tax dollars would be used to staff a task force that could be the next step towards stealing away your firearms freedoms.

Thank you to all NRA members and Second Amendment supporters who acted in opposition to this unsound legislation.  The defeat of HB 1306 would not have been possible without your efforts.

Colorado has seen the enactment of the most draconian anti-gun legislation in Colorado’s history during this legislative session.  With the Regular Session of the Sixty-ninth General Assembly scheduled to adjourn sine die tomorrow, May 8, we are pleased to announce the final attack on your rights for the 2013 session failed.