How did Colorado legislate gun safety? It was popular.

[Robb]

We passed major gun safety laws in our state yesterday -- with a Democrat-controlled State House, Senate and Governor's Office.

And we did it, in part, because there was little to no real political risk; despite what Team NRA might tell you, none of our elected Democrats are in peril because of voting for these bills.

Here's why:

One bill limits ammunition magazines to 15 rounds; 61 percent of Colorado voters agree that the sale and possession of high-capacity ammunition magazines, which allow some guns to shoot more than 10 bullets before reloading, should be banned.

The other bill requires universal background checks; 80 percent of voters agree that all private gun sales should go through a licensed dealer and be subject to a background check.

Now we need to explain this to our national politicians: 52% of Americans want a ban on 10+ magazines, and 84% want universal background checks.

Colorado was able to sort out the noise of the few from the desires of the many.

Now it's time for the nation to do the same.

Enough of this.



http://www.contactingthecongress.org/

[madamesilverspurs]

1. It also needs to be explained

to some of our sheriffs: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1262841

[Robb]

4. Most county sheriffs in CO are elected.

If their constituents think they're not doing their jobs, they get voted out.

[MissMarple]

7. I think our sheriff has further political aspirations.

I'm in Colorado Springs, Terry Maketa is very popular here and is term limited for sheriff. His tantrum over the gun legislation made him more popular among the gun nuts. We'll see how it plays out for him. I think he is looking at Denver, but wouldn't be at all surprised if he thought he could primary Doug Lamborne. Inquiring minds are waiting.

[premium]

6. Sheriff's are elected officials

they have much more discretion than police chiefs on how they enforce those laws and if they're popular in their counties, then they'll get elected again and again.

[Remmah2]

2. They probably just "blocked" anyone from the debate who disagreed.

[hack89]

3. They dropped an AWB. Does that mean it was not popular?

I support the laws that they did pass.

[Robb]

5. What assault weapons ban was dropped in CO?

A liability bill concerning assault weapons was pulled by its author, and I expect it to return; but there's been no Colorado AWB in play.

Perhaps you're thinking of the one that's been law in Denver for 23 years?

Denver's assault weapons ban withstood test of time, court challenges

Denver has had an assault weapons ban in place for 23 years, an ordinance that has twice withstood court challenges and remains one of the toughest local gun laws in the state.

The ordinance bans the sale and possession of assault weapons, specifically firearms with "semiautomatic action" or that use detachable magazines with a capacity of 21 or more rounds.

The ordinance was introduced in the wake of growing gang activity in Denver and after several high-profile mass killings around the nation by gunmen using semiautomatic weapons. Also, in 1989, a man with a submachine gun killed two people and wounded three in Littleton.

"Assault weapons don't have any place in an urban environment," said City Councilwoman Cathy Reynolds, who sponsored the bill at the time. "They don't have any purpose but to blow people away, quickly and in large numbers."

Read More: http://www.denverpost.com/politics/ci_22219025/denvers-assault-weapons-ban-withstood-test-time-court

[hack89]

8. My bad. Happy to see they had the sense to stay away from the issue

must not have been popular.

[Robb]

9. Surprisingly popular.

61 percent of Colorado voters agree that the sale and possession of semi-automatic guns and assault rifles should be banned.

I expect no one in Denver expected the support to be that strong. It's still early in the year, of course.

[hack89]

10. So why didn't they attempt an AWB? Must have been local politics at play.

there is plenty of good news in that poll - I find it interesting that keeping guns out of the hands of mentally ill people was at the top of the list. Do you think they will copy NY state and create a database and reporting system to keep mentally ill people from owning or buying guns?