http://www.denverpost.com/news/news0117t.htm
By Monte Whaley
Denver Post Staff Writer
Jan. 17, 2001 - BOULDER - The City Council on Tuesday approved tightening the city's gun ordinance in response to the Columbine High School massacre.
A public hearing on the controversial measure drew 52 speakers Tuesday night, a majority of whom were opposed to any changes to the current law.
One change requires gun owners to use cases for carrying guns in public, although that won't apply to licensed concealed weapons.
Another change prohibits a minor from possessing a rifle or shotgun. Exceptions include minors who are using a weapon under the supervision of a parent and while traveling to and from hunting, target shooting or safety training.
Gun control opponent Shariar Ghalam told the council that the restrictions would impose restrictions only on law-abiding gun owners. "It's yet another bad idea leading to bad consequences," Ghalam said.
Members of the Million Mom March and other gun control proponents argued that the added restrictions would help prevent kids from being shot.
"It's about keeping kids safe," said Sam Cole, a member of the Million Mom March.
The City Council asked for changes to Boulder's gun ordinances after the April 20, 1999, Columbine High School shootings.
A hearing last June on the proposed revisions attracted 150 people to the council chambers. Many were against the changes, including the Tyranny Response Team.
Members of that pro-gun group dressed as a fife-and-drum brigade and demonstrated outside the Municipal Building. Fearing violent confrontations between anti- and pro-gun-control proponents, police used metal detectors to screen spectators.
Police officials said last week that they would use a more lowkey approach to make sure last night's hearing wouldn't get out of hand.
Gun rights groups said they weren't planning to cause trouble but that they wanted to voice their displeasure with rules they said undermined the Second Amendment right to bear arms.
One man was tossed from Tuesday night's meeting for continuing to make loud comments while the public was commenting. He was escorted out of the Municipal Building by three police officers.
In all, seven changes were made to the city's gun ordinance.
The council was also asked to consider giving Boulder gun owners legal protection in civil cases when a gun is stolen from them and later used in a crime. That measure also passed.
Copyright 2001 The Denver Post. All rights reserved.
By Monte Whaley
Denver Post Staff Writer
Jan. 17, 2001 - BOULDER - The City Council on Tuesday approved tightening the city's gun ordinance in response to the Columbine High School massacre.
A public hearing on the controversial measure drew 52 speakers Tuesday night, a majority of whom were opposed to any changes to the current law.
One change requires gun owners to use cases for carrying guns in public, although that won't apply to licensed concealed weapons.
Another change prohibits a minor from possessing a rifle or shotgun. Exceptions include minors who are using a weapon under the supervision of a parent and while traveling to and from hunting, target shooting or safety training.
Gun control opponent Shariar Ghalam told the council that the restrictions would impose restrictions only on law-abiding gun owners. "It's yet another bad idea leading to bad consequences," Ghalam said.
Members of the Million Mom March and other gun control proponents argued that the added restrictions would help prevent kids from being shot.
"It's about keeping kids safe," said Sam Cole, a member of the Million Mom March.
The City Council asked for changes to Boulder's gun ordinances after the April 20, 1999, Columbine High School shootings.
A hearing last June on the proposed revisions attracted 150 people to the council chambers. Many were against the changes, including the Tyranny Response Team.
Members of that pro-gun group dressed as a fife-and-drum brigade and demonstrated outside the Municipal Building. Fearing violent confrontations between anti- and pro-gun-control proponents, police used metal detectors to screen spectators.
Police officials said last week that they would use a more lowkey approach to make sure last night's hearing wouldn't get out of hand.
Gun rights groups said they weren't planning to cause trouble but that they wanted to voice their displeasure with rules they said undermined the Second Amendment right to bear arms.
One man was tossed from Tuesday night's meeting for continuing to make loud comments while the public was commenting. He was escorted out of the Municipal Building by three police officers.
In all, seven changes were made to the city's gun ordinance.
The council was also asked to consider giving Boulder gun owners legal protection in civil cases when a gun is stolen from them and later used in a crime. That measure also passed.
Copyright 2001 The Denver Post. All rights reserved.
