The gun debate that riveted the state capitol in 2013, once again took center stage Monday. Fewer people came to the capitol to testify on a key gun bill than the last round, but emotions were still strong.
Republicans have vowed to repeal a package of gun control proposals that the Democrats passed. The first bill in their sights? The bill that brought universal background checks and fees for gun purchases to Colorado.
鈥淢y constituents in Pueblo sent me here to give a message,鈥� said Republican state Senator George Rivera. 鈥淭hey don鈥檛 like the gun laws. I鈥檓 here today on their behalf to ask the members of this committee to vote yes [on repeal].鈥�
A newly elected senator, , who was recalled from office over her support for stricter gun laws. Two other Democrats also lost their jobs, .
Democrats defend the gun laws, saying
鈥淚鈥檓 confused as to why you think this law, which kept guns out of the hands of 104 criminals, should be repealed?鈥� asked Senator Irene Aguilar (D-Denver). 鈥淲ould you that we had given those people guns? Because that鈥檚 what repealing this law would lead to.鈥�
State data says more than a 100 people were denied a gun because of expanded background checks. The new law requires background checks for private sales and firearm transfers. Opponents like Senator Ted Harvey (R-Highlands Ranch) say it鈥檚 ineffective and harms responsible gun owners.
鈥淎re you aware that it鈥檚 a violation of state statute for me to loan my neighbor a gun for more than 72 hours,鈥� said Harvey. 鈥淭here a number of situations in this bill鈥� that is burdensome for the residents of the state of Colorado.鈥�
would repeal the expanded background checks. Monday鈥檚 debate drew several hundred people to the capitol, everyone from gun rights advocates to gun control supporters and victims of gun violence. Megan Sullivan, whose brother was killed in the , hopes the law would prevent violent crime.
鈥淢y family is broken. Christmas, birthdays and my upcoming wedding will never be complete without my older brother,鈥� said Sullivan. 鈥淢y brother won鈥檛 be saved because of the background checks enacted last year, but other people can be saved.鈥�
The National Rifle Association鈥檚 state liaison, Daniel Carey spoke in support of repeal, saying that background checks won鈥檛 deter criminals.
鈥淭hese laws have failed to show conclusively any benefit to curbing violent crime and only infringe upon the rights of law-abiding citizens,鈥� said Carey.
After lengthy hearing, GOP bill to repeal universal backgrd checks fails in senate committee.
— Bente Birkeland (@BenteBirkeland)
At the end of the nearly seven hour hearing the Democratic controlled state veterans and military affairs committee struck down the repeal on a party line vote.
Democrats have pledged to defeat other attempts to roll back the gun laws. The GOP plans next to try and repeal the ban on high capacity magazines of more than 15 rounds.
