The Colorado chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety, released the following statements today after the Colorado House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Committee voted to reject HB 1038, which would allow people with concealed carry permits to carry guns on public K-12 school premises, and HB 1070, which would repeal the Colorado law prohibiting the possession, sale, or transfer of large-capacity ammunition magazines (LCMs) of over 15 rounds.
“I feel reassured after today’s committee hearing” said Jayla Hemphill, a volunteer with Students Demand Action at Northfield High School in Denver. “As a student, I should not have to worry about someone walking around my high school carrying a gun — let alone a gun with a large-capacity magazine. I’m grateful that our lawmakers voted to reject these bills and protect Colorado students.”
“Colorado lawmakers have shown their commitment to gun safety, once again,” said Helen Kamin, volunteer with Colorado Moms Demand Action. “By rejecting these dangerous pieces of legislation, lawmakers sent a message to their constituents that they are committed to public safety and oppose any efforts to weaken our gun laws. We stand with these legislators in their fight against gun violence.”
Research shows that allowing more firearms on school grounds presents a serious risk to safety. Guns are already the leading cause of death among children and teens in Colorado, and the state’s firearm suicide rate is 54% higher than the national firearm suicide rate. That’s why lawmakers are prioritizing legislation to save lives and prevent gun violence, like HB21-1106 and SB21-078 — legislation to require secure firearm storage and the reporting of lost or stolen firearms.