Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action Volunteers Testified at House Hearings in Objection to the Expansion of Colorado’s Stand Your Ground Law that Allows Individuals to Use Deadly Physical Force at Work, a Bill Seeking to Nullify the Enforcement of Federal Firearm Laws in Colorado, and a Bill to Penalize Businesses that Divest from the Firearm Industry.
The Colorado chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety, released the following statements opposing dangerous firearm bills introduced in the Colorado House. These bills were heard today in the House State, Civic, Military, and Veterans Affairs committee and House Finance committee, and include:
- House Bill 23-1050, legislation to expand Colorado’s stand your ground law to allow individuals to use deadly physical force at work – even in situations where aa minor threat is perceive;
- Bill 23-1044, bill to make it illegal for any public officer or employee of the state, including state and local law enforcement officers, to assist with the enforcement of federal gun laws that help keep the state safe, and
- House Bill 23-1092, a bill which penalizes businesses who wish to divest from the firearm industry.
“Gun violence in all its forms is devastating families and communities across Colorado,” saidMary Elizabeth Callaway, a volunteer with the Colorado chapter of Moms Demand Action. “As we continue to grieve in the wake of the mass shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs, Colorado lawmakers should be advocating for gun safety measures, not criminalizing law enforcement for keeping our communities safe. These bills are not going anywhere in this legislature because they are a threat to public safety – they are a waste of time, reckless, and show a clear allegiance to politics over saving lives.”
So far during the 2023 legislative session, Colorado lawmakers have introduced a slew of dangerous gun bills. Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers are committed to fighting against these bills, and urging lawmakers to oppose them as well.
With a gun sense majority in both legislative chambers, championed by Colorado Governor Jared Polis, Colorado lawmakers have the opportunity to pass critical gun violence prevention bills, including legislation regulating ghost guns, expanding Colorado’s Extreme Risk law, creating a state firearm dealer licensing system, and legislation to hold the gun industry accountable. These critical measures will go far in saving Coloradan lives and preventing future mass shootings like the tragedy we saw at Club Q in Colorado Springs.
In an average year, 850 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 69 children and teens die by guns every year, of which 54% are suicides and 42% are homicides. Gun violence in Colorado costs $2,039 per person 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.
