Pro-gun bills victorious
By Mike Soraghan
Denver Post Capitol Bureau
April 28 - In a year that was supposed to be dominated by Gov. Bill Owens' gun-control plan, three pro-gun measures are about to hit the governor's desk.
Legislators advanced all three bills Thursday night, giving them final legislative approval or moving them within one step of the governor's desk.
"For a lot of us, the Second Amendment to the Constitution is substantive, and we're going to protect what we perceive to be threats to it," said Sen. Ron Teck, R-Grand Junction.
Teck is the Senate sponsor of a bill to protect gunmakers and gun dealers from lawsuits resulting from shootings.
The Senate gave final approval to the bill, HB 1208, Thursday night by a 20-11 vote. It now needs only House approval to go to Owens. House sponsor Lauri Clapp, R-Englewood, says she doesn't expect any problems.
Owens has declined to say what he will do with the bill, but Clapp and Teck say they believe Owens will sign it.
Also Thursday, the House gave final legislative approval to a bill to keep secret the names of people who get government permission to carry concealed handguns, HB 1114, and final House approval to SB 154, allowing people to drive through Denver armed without fear of arrest, providing they start their trip outside Denver.
Democrats say the success of the bills shows that the gun lobby has a stranglehold on the Republican-controlled legislature.
"The National Rifle Association and the Rocky Mountain Gun Owners are running the show around here," said Senate Minority Leader Mike Feeley, D-Lakewood. He was especially irritated about the gun industry's protection from lawsuits.
"That bill, in a session where we were supposed to do gun-safety measures, is an outrage," Feeley said.
Last year, three pro-gun bills that were even stronger were scuttled after two student gunmen used four guns to kill 13 people at Columbine High School before turning the guns on themselves.
The best-known bill last year would have allowed more Coloradans to carry concealed weapons. Pro-gun legislators like Clapp say their agenda has been restrained this year.
"If you look at the agenda this year and compare it to last year, I think it's pretty mild," she said.
Next year, pro-gun legislators say they'll return to trying to pass some of the bills that were stalled by Columbine. Sen. Ken Chlouber, R-Leadville, said he held off on carrying gun-rights bills this year out of respect for Columbine victims and their families.
"Next year, I'm going to come back with a strong concealed-carry bill that will allow Coloradans to protect themselves," Chlouber said.
Copyright 2000 The Denver Post. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Protect your Right to Keep and Bear Arms!
[This message has been edited by Gorthaur (edited April 28, 2000).]
By Mike Soraghan
Denver Post Capitol Bureau
April 28 - In a year that was supposed to be dominated by Gov. Bill Owens' gun-control plan, three pro-gun measures are about to hit the governor's desk.
Legislators advanced all three bills Thursday night, giving them final legislative approval or moving them within one step of the governor's desk.
"For a lot of us, the Second Amendment to the Constitution is substantive, and we're going to protect what we perceive to be threats to it," said Sen. Ron Teck, R-Grand Junction.
Teck is the Senate sponsor of a bill to protect gunmakers and gun dealers from lawsuits resulting from shootings.
The Senate gave final approval to the bill, HB 1208, Thursday night by a 20-11 vote. It now needs only House approval to go to Owens. House sponsor Lauri Clapp, R-Englewood, says she doesn't expect any problems.
Owens has declined to say what he will do with the bill, but Clapp and Teck say they believe Owens will sign it.
Also Thursday, the House gave final legislative approval to a bill to keep secret the names of people who get government permission to carry concealed handguns, HB 1114, and final House approval to SB 154, allowing people to drive through Denver armed without fear of arrest, providing they start their trip outside Denver.
Democrats say the success of the bills shows that the gun lobby has a stranglehold on the Republican-controlled legislature.
"The National Rifle Association and the Rocky Mountain Gun Owners are running the show around here," said Senate Minority Leader Mike Feeley, D-Lakewood. He was especially irritated about the gun industry's protection from lawsuits.
"That bill, in a session where we were supposed to do gun-safety measures, is an outrage," Feeley said.
Last year, three pro-gun bills that were even stronger were scuttled after two student gunmen used four guns to kill 13 people at Columbine High School before turning the guns on themselves.
The best-known bill last year would have allowed more Coloradans to carry concealed weapons. Pro-gun legislators like Clapp say their agenda has been restrained this year.
"If you look at the agenda this year and compare it to last year, I think it's pretty mild," she said.
Next year, pro-gun legislators say they'll return to trying to pass some of the bills that were stalled by Columbine. Sen. Ken Chlouber, R-Leadville, said he held off on carrying gun-rights bills this year out of respect for Columbine victims and their families.
"Next year, I'm going to come back with a strong concealed-carry bill that will allow Coloradans to protect themselves," Chlouber said.
Copyright 2000 The Denver Post. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
------------------
Protect your Right to Keep and Bear Arms!
[This message has been edited by Gorthaur (edited April 28, 2000).]