The Colorado chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety, released the following statements today after Colorado lawmakers advanced two gun violence prevention proposals:
- The Colorado Senate Judiciary Committee passed HB21-1106, which would require firearms that a juvenile or prohibited person might be able to access be securely stored when not under the control of the gun owner.
- The Colorado House advanced SB21-078, which would require gun owners to report to law enforcement when a gun is lost or stolen, to third reading.
These advancements come just after Colorado was devastated by a mass shooting in Boulder at a grocery store in which ten people were shot and killed, including one police officer. The shooting in Boulder is just the latest instance of gun violence to devastate Colorado — in an average year, 805 people die by gun violence in Colorado and 360 more are wounded. Since the shooting, Colorado Moms Demand Action has had over 500 new attendees sign-up for a new member meeting this week.
“We know that enough is enough and so do our lawmakers,” said Lyndsey Quist, volunteer with Colorado Moms Demand Action. “That’s why they are offering more than thoughts and prayers– they’re taking action to protect us and prevent gun violence. We will continue to be in this fight with them to keep our communities safe.”
“Our gun violence crisis needs immediate action– we called for it and our lawmakers are answering,” said Hannah Sanders, a volunteer with CU Boulder Students Demand Action. “Too many Coloradans and Americans have had their lives forever changed by gun violence and though there is more work to be done, it feels good to have our representatives representing and protecting us.”
More information about secure storage legislation is here, and information about the risk of stolen guns here. Statistics about gun violence in Colorado are available here, and information on how Colorado’s gun laws compare to other states’ overall is available here.
To speak with a policy expert or Colorado Moms Demand Action and/or Students Demand Action volunteers, please do not hesitate to reach out.