DENVER — The Colorado chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, released the following statement applauding Colorado House lawmakers for advancing critical House Bill 24-1292, which would prohibit the manufacture, sale, and transfer of assault weapons.
“We are ecstatic to see movement on this critical gun safety bill,” said Christa Palmer, a volunteer with the Colorado chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Time after time, Coloradans continue to be re-traumatized from mass casualty created by assault weapons. As we mark 25 years since Columbine this week, it is fair to say that it is long overdue to get these weapons of war out of our communities. Now, it’s up to the Colorado Senate to carry this bill across the finish line and deliver it to the Governor’s desk, we expect that our lawmakers will deliver. ”
“It’s been 25 years since the Columbine shooting that changed everything for students like me. Over two decades later, history has repeated itself time and time again, in Aurora, Sandy Hook, in Colorado Springs, in Uvalde, the list goes on,” Gracie Taub, a volunteer with Denver East Students Demand Action “Assault weapons are the weapon of choice for mass shooters and it’s about time that Colorado legislators take action to ban these weapons of war. Students like me are demanding Colorado Senators pass this bill and show us they value our lives.”
Aurora, Club Q, Pulse Nightclub, Buffalo, Uvalde, Lewiston: assault weapons are the weapon of choice for mass shooters. We must get these weapons of war off of our streets and legislation to prohibit assault weapons is an evidence-based, life saving measure. Research shows us that mass shooting deaths were 70% less likely with the federal assault weapons ban in place.
In an average year, 930 people die and 466 are wounded by guns in Colorado. Guns are the leading cause of death among children and teens in Colorado, and an average of 79 children and teens die by guns every year, of which 51% are suicides and 45% are homicides. Gun violence in Colorado costs $2,039 per resident each year. Gun deaths and injuries cost Colorado $11.7 billion each year, of which $156.1 million is paid by taxpayers.
More information about gun violence in Colorado is available here.
