Four Democratic gun control bills are on the docket for State lawmakers to debate Friday. It鈥檚 a debate that is expected to go late into the night.The bills would ban , , and make people pay for their own background checks. Governor John Hickenlooper recently expressed support for most of the proposals but notes that the high capacity magazine ban is especially contentious.
鈥淚鈥檓 not sure where they鈥檙e going to end up, and they might end up having to compromise,鈥� Hickenlooper said.
Representative Rhonda Fields (D-Aurora) is the main sponsor of . She says those magazines have no place in society and contribute to mass shootings.
鈥淪o they can unload as many bullets as they can to kill as many people as possible in our schools, our theatres, our churches,鈥� she said.
Republicans argue Democrats are infringing on the second amendment and people deserve the right to defend themselves.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not about the tool, but the character of this nation and the direction we鈥檙e headed,鈥� said Representative Frank McNulty of Highlands Ranch. He says trying to get rid of guns won鈥檛 make anyone safer or prevent violent shootings.
Republicans also argue that criminals will always find a way to get their hands on dangerous weapons. The gun debate is expected to play out throughout the legislative session. Democrats say the time to act is now, especially in the wake of tragic mass shootings in Colorado and Connecticut.
