Rocky Mountain Voice

Tag: Gun rights

Ban of so-called ‘assault weapons’ receives initial OK from Colorado Democrats
Approved, coloradopolitics.com, State

Ban of so-called ‘assault weapons’ receives initial OK from Colorado Democrats

By Marianne Goodland | Colorado Politics House Democrats on Friday advanced a proposal to ban a long list of "assault" weapons in Colorado following a debate that lasted several hours. The measure still needs the full vote of the House, which could happen Sunday. Its fate in the Senate remains uncertain.     Sponsored by Reps. Tim Hernandez and Elisabeth Epps, House Bill 1292 would prohibit 13 types of "assault" weapons, along with adding a definition of "assault weapons" into state law. Supporters argued that the so-called "assault weapons" have no place in society, and that Colorado cannot wait for Congress to enact a federal ban. Critics countered that the bill would ban most guns in Colorado — and it is, therefore, unconstitutional.  READ THE FUL...
Republican lawmakers aim to reverse Biden’s expanded gun background check rule
Approved, National, The Washington Times

Republican lawmakers aim to reverse Biden’s expanded gun background check rule

By Stephen Dinan  | The Washington Times Republican senators said Thursday they will pursue legislation to overturn President Biden’s new gun control regulation that would expand the universe of gun sales subject to background checks. Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis will lead the effort, according to Mr. Cornyn’s office. They were the chief Republican sponsors of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, a 2022 law that Mr. Biden says gives him the authority to expand the checks. “The administration is acting lawlessly here, and the vast majority of this rule has nothing to do with the BSCA,” Mr. Cornyn’s office said. “Of course, this rule has been on the administration’s wish list for many years despite Congress rejecting these provisions repeatedly.” READ THE FULL STORY AT THE ...
Washington’s ban on high-capacity gun magazines ruled unconstitutional
Approved, National, Seattle Times

Washington’s ban on high-capacity gun magazines ruled unconstitutional

David Gutman | Seattle Times A Cowlitz County judge ruled Washington’s ban on high-capacity magazines unconstitutional Monday, but just minutes later the state Supreme Court issued an emergency order keeping the law on the books while the state appeals the decision. Cowlitz County Superior Court Judge Gary Bashor ruled that Washington’s ban on the magazines, which hold more than 10 rounds and have been banned since 2022, violated both the Washington state and U.S. constitutions. Bashor issued an immediate injunction, which blocks the state from enforcing the ban. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE SEATTLE TIMES
‘Assault weapons’ bill, opposed by hundreds in marathon hearing, advances in House
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

‘Assault weapons’ bill, opposed by hundreds in marathon hearing, advances in House

Public pleads for 12 hours with Colorado House committee to reject bill attorneys called ‘inconsistent, unconstitutional’ and others say ‘infringes’ on 2nd Amendment By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice Hundreds of Coloradans provided a master’s course to lawmakers on the Founding Fathers, the Federalist Papers and the U.S. Constitution Tuesday in opposition to  House Bill 1292, but it was to no avail. The presentation of the bill, by Democratic Reps. Elisabeth Epps and Tim Hernandez, to the House Judiciary Committee drew pro-gun advocates to call it an “all out war” and “infringement” on gun owners, and to instead call for hardening of targets at schools throughout Colorado. A bill they say was written by special interests, ignores personal responsibility, could shu...
RMGO leaders, members to rally Tuesday morning against “assault weapons” ban
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

RMGO leaders, members to rally Tuesday morning against “assault weapons” ban

By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice Rocky Mountain Gun Owners will rally on the west steps of the state capitol at 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 19, in opposition to specific anti-gun legislation under consideration. House Bill 1292, by Democrat Reps. Elisabeth Epps and Tim Hernandez, to prohibit “assault weapons” will be heard by the House Judiciary Committee Tuesday at the Old State Library. The bill has a broad definition of “assault weapon”, which could make rifled barrel pistols and rifles illegal, along with pistol grip shotguns, and many other guns. Additionally, Senate Bill 131, known as the “sensitive spaces” gun bill, will be heard at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Senate Judiciary Committee at the Old Supreme Court. Sensitive spaces are defined in the bill as a park or playg...
U.S. Supreme Court mulls NRA’s free speech fight against N.Y. regulator
Approved, National, THE HILL

U.S. Supreme Court mulls NRA’s free speech fight against N.Y. regulator

By ZACH SCHONFELD | The Hill The Supreme Court weighed the National Rifle Association’s (NRA) free speech case against a former New York regulator during oral arguments on Monday. Over 75 minutes of arguments, the justices probed how to distinguish when government officials go beyond permissible advocacy and cross into unconstitutional coercion. “How do you define when it goes too far along that line?” asked Justice Samuel Alito, one of the court’s leading conservatives.
Colorado’s Circular Firing Squad on the 2nd Amendment
Approved, Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice, The Colorado Freedom Force

Colorado’s Circular Firing Squad on the 2nd Amendment

By The Colorado Freedom Force Whether the decided-upon strategy of the anti-2nd Amendment legislators in Colorado is “Throw everything up against the wall and see what sticks”, or just “divide and conquer”, their numerous attempts at whittling away at the 2nd Amendment can be hard to keep up with. From a straightforward “assault weapons” ban to imposing more fees or adding an 11% excise tax to guns and ammunition, Colorado’s Democrats have formed a circular firing squad around this fundamental right. You can learn about all seven active bills, use online forms to contact your representatives or read the entirety of a bill through the Colorado Freedom Force website. READ MORE ON THE BILLS AT COLORADO FREEDOM FORCE
Colorado House Democrats push concealed weapons training bill forward
Approved, coloradopolitics.com, State

Colorado House Democrats push concealed weapons training bill forward

By Marissa Ventrelli  | Colorado Politics With Democrats calling it common sense legislation to get gun owners better educated, Republicans argued last week that the proposed changes to Colorado's concealed carry permitting process infringes on Second Amendment rights. In its second reading on the House floor on March 8, House Bill 1174 mandates that all concealed carry permit training classes must be conducted in person with a curriculum to cover firearm safety, storage, state and federal gun laws, and self-defense and de-escalation tactics. Applicants must pass a written exam and live-fire exercise; renewals require a refresher course. In a vote along party lines, the bill passed through the Committee of the Whole and will proceed to its third reading before making its...
Concealed carry keeps growing in Colorado; over twenty-five thousand new permits in 2023
Approved, completecolorado.com, State

Concealed carry keeps growing in Colorado; over twenty-five thousand new permits in 2023

By Mike Krause | Complete Colorado DENVER– While majority Democrats in the state legislature push for new restrictions on the lawful carrying of concealed handguns, new data shows 25,218 Colorado adults subjected themselves to the scrutiny already required to become new concealed handgun permit (CHP) holders in 2023, while another 36,291 renewed existing permits.  That’s according to a County Sheriffs of Colorado annual report, published earlier this month. While that number trails a permitting surge during Covid lock-downs and rioting related to the police killing of George Floyd (over 37,000 in 2020 and more than 41,000 in 2021), it’s still larger than the 23,250 permits issued in pre-pandemic 2019.  In the five-year period from 2019-2023, just ov...
Jury finds ex-NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre liable for corruption, orders repayment of $4.3M to gun rights group
Approved, Fox News, National

Jury finds ex-NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre liable for corruption, orders repayment of $4.3M to gun rights group

By Emma Colton | Fox News A Manhattan jury in the civil corruption case brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James against the National Rifle Association (NRA) and its former CEO found the organization liable for financial mismanagement. The jury determined that Wayne LaPierre's violations of his duties cost the NRA $5,400,000, but he had already paid roughly $1 million back to the organization. LaPierre was ordered to repay the group $4,351,231. The New York jury said that the NRA's CEO for three decades misspent millions of dollars of the group’s money on luxury personal purchases.