Bills to Repeal Background Checks and Allow Guns in Public Schools Killed in Committee with Bipartisan Opposition
The Colorado Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, and Colorado gun violence survivors today praised the House Committee on State, Veteran’s and Military Affairs for voting down six dangerous gun bills on Monday. In a significant rebuke of the extremist gun lobby, efforts to remove common-sense background checks, allow guns in K-12 public schools, and repeal the current permitting and training requirements for carrying a concealed handgun in public, were all defeated with bipartisan opposition.
Testimony ran long into the night, with gun violence prevention advocates outnumbering those who testified in support of the bills, in many cases by more than two to one. Everytown for Gun Safety, which has more than 55,000 supporters in Colorado, brought Colorado Moms, gun violence survivors, teachers, students, hunters, and advocates to pack the committee hearing room, sharing their personal stories and fact-based arguments against weakening Colorado’s gun laws.
“Colorado’s law requiring background checks on all gun sales has blocked nearly three hundred dangerous individuals from buying guns,” said Dave Hoover, whose nephew AJ Boik was killed in the Aurora Theater mass shooting. “As a gun owner I know that my conscience is clear when I take the simple step of having a background check performed and knowing the person buying my firearm can legally possess it. I am encouraged by the bipartisan support for this common-sense gun safety law and the recognition that this legislation is reasonable and does not interfere with the constitutional rights of law abiding citizens.”
Erin DaCosta, volunteer leader with the Colorado chapter of Moms Demand Action, testified against the bill to allow guns in schools and was inspired by the bipartisan defeat. “This bill would thwart our common-sense laws and instead let anyone with a concealed carry permit bring a gun into our state’s schools,” said DaCosta. We owe it not only to our own Colorado kids but also to the victims of gun violence and families everywhere to find ways to make our schools safe and free from gun violence. I do not believe that arming teachers and ordinary citizens is the way to do that, and I am grateful to the committee for voting down this extreme and misguided legislation.”
About Everytown for Gun Safety
Everytown is the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country with more than 2.5 million supporters and more than 40,000 donors including moms, mayors, survivors, and everyday Americans who are fighting for public safety measures that respect the Second Amendment and help save lives. At the core of Everytown are Mayors Against Illegal Guns and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a grassroots movement of American mothers founded the day after the Sandy Hook tragedy. Learn more at www.everytown.org and follow us @Everytown
About Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America is a grassroots movement of American mothers fighting for public safety measures that respect the Second Amendment and protect people from gun violence. Moms Demand Action campaigns for new and stronger solutions to lax gun laws and loopholes that jeopardize the safety of our children and families. Since its inception after the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Moms Demand Action has established a chapter in every state of the country and along with Mayors Against Illegal Guns is part of Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country with more than 2.5 million members and more than 40,000 donors. For more information or to get involved visit www.momsdemandaction.org. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MomsDemandAction or on Twitter at @MomsDemand
