Friends on both sides of the aisle in the State Legislature?

[.455_Hunter]

I was surprised to learn that Senator Lois Tochtrop (D- Thornton) was one of the original sponsors of the State Concealed Carry Law, and her official web page shows her as "Assistant Majority Leader". I guess she has also received positive ratings from the NRA in the past. Would she be a good candidate to focus our anti-gun control efforts? A person in a position of power could stop some of the stupid bills from seeing any daylight. Your thoughts please.

[centrarchidae]

She's been a friend and helped head off stupid stuff in the past. A "Thanks for everything you did last time, and it'd be really neat if you'd keep doing it" card wouldn't hurt.

[Zundfolge]

I can't seem to find a list of NRA ratings for Colorado state legislators. This fight isn't going to be won on party lines so I'd like to have a list of Dems that are on our side.

For the last couple decades I've always heard how Colorado Democrats were "different" ... more pro-gun, more pro individual, less "progressive". If this is true then maybe this fight can be won.

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

I can't seem to find a list of NRA ratings for Colorado state legislators. This fight isn't going to be won on party lines so I'd like to have a list of Dems that are on our side.
​
For the last couple decades I've always heard how Colorado Democrats were "different" ... more pro-gun, more pro individual, less "progressive". If this is true then maybe this fight can be won.


Right... Kind of like our 2nd amendment gun toting liberals on this forum?


Liberals - how you like those democrats you voted for now? Also, honk your horn and run your car into a tree.

[DavieD55]

It depends on a few variables as to how some of them will vote. If they know a pro gun bill has 0 chance of becoming law, alot of times they will vote in favor so they can look good for pro gun people but not suffer any negative consequences from the anti-gun crowd. I have a feeling alot of the past pro gun (Ds) will become proponents of anti-gun legislation in the years to come.

[roberth]

I can't seem to find a list of NRA ratings for Colorado state legislators. This fight isn't going to be won on party lines so I'd like to have a list of Dems that are on our side.

For the last couple decades I've always heard how Colorado Democrats were "different" ... more pro-gun, more pro individual, less "progressive". If this is true then maybe this fight can be won.

There are no Dems on our side, they are the enemies of freedom. Even if a (D) were to vote pro-gun, all the other evil they commit far outweighs that one good deed.

I could damn near say the same thing about Republicans.

[mdflem51]

Party trumps person. If Polis,Stryker,Gill and other money people tell Her "How it is" that`s the way it`s gonna` be. Look at the sweet deal Ritter got..She`ll do what She`s told.

[Sharpienads]

There are no Dems on our side, they are the enemies of freedom. Even if a (D) were to vote pro-gun, all the other evil they commit far outweighs that one good deed.

I could damn near say the same thing about Republicans.

Very sad, but very true.

[jhood001]

There are no Dems on our side, they are the enemies of freedom. Even if a (D) were to vote pro-gun, all the other evil they commit far outweighs that one good deed.

I could damn near say the same thing about Republicans.

Brilliant statement. Don't let your party define your issues. Let your issues define your party. And when issues that you hold dear come under threat, take an ally anywhere you can.

This issue is going to cris-cross the party lines that a lot you guys around here hold on to as dearly as some of our societal failures cling to their Obama Phones. Get your your priorities in order.

[Bailey Guns]

May be. But the democrat party clearly states part of their agenda is gun-control. The republican party clearly states the opposite. I don't give a rat's ass if a democrat says they're pro-gun. They're not. Not when all is said and done. And I can guarantee when push comes to shove within the party and the party leadership starts to put pressure on the so-called pro-gun dem their views will change quickly. And since a third party person in the legislature (assuming there is one) means dick why on earth would I care about a third party?

My priority is to vote for the person who belongs to the PARTY that best aligns with my beliefs. That isn't the Democrat Party, that isn't the Libertarian party (or Libertarians masquerading as Republicans) and that isn't some other obscure 3rd party.

And who gives a fuck about that anyway? As far as I know right now there are two political parties involved in the gun-control debate...Democrat and Republican. The Democrat Party wants further restrictions on gun ownership, the Republican Party doesn't. That there are a few members of each individual party that might be swayed in the other direction may, or may not, be inconsequential to me.

I've said it before...there is no such thing as a pro-gun Democrat/Liberal.

[Kraven251]

Unfortunately, the only thing between us and a lengthy legal battle over bad laws are the people in the middle of the debate that can be swung to not vote party lines. Because if they go lockstep party lines they will pass anything they want in CO, and there won't be a damn thing we can do to stop it. So for our all our sakes I hope that isn't the case.

[geo351]

I can't seem to find a list of NRA ratings for Colorado state legislators. This fight isn't going to be won on party lines so I'd like to have a list of Dems that are on our side.

For the last couple decades I've always heard how Colorado Democrats were "different" ... more pro-gun, more pro individual, less "progressive". If this is true then maybe this fight can be won.
Bennett and Udal the letters they sent back to me were standardized form letters ! BS if you ask me

[kidicarus13]

Bennett and Udal the letters they sent back to me were standardized form letters ! BS if you ask me

What did you really expect?

[geo351]

Ya I know I also sent this out to the prez and every other pos politician I could


I,as a taxpayer and an American voter, am requesting and demanding that there be no change in gun laws or the 2nd amendment!! As tragic as recent events have been, the firearms are not to blame. Poor judgement, lack of mental health and gun owners that are not responsible to secure their fire arms. I have been a gun enthusiast since I was 6 and had my hunters safety at 9 I have trained my 3 children and 2 step children in proper care and handling along with many others! We as a nation owe it to ourselves to protect our families, our homes, our borders and unfortunately our government. For as sad as that last statement was ,it appears to be ringing more true then ever!
I speak for many friends and acquaintances ,we will not stand by and watch our government systematically dismantle our rights and liberties that our forefathers died for! We hope that our elected officials do the right thing for America and our freedoms

[jhood001]

I don't give a rat's ass if a democrat says they're pro-gun. They're not.
...
I've said it before...there is no such thing as a pro-gun Democrat/Liberal.

I have a profound amount of respect for you, but you need to get out more. If you want to tack on the word 'politician' after using the word 'democrat', I might agree with you. Otherwise, what you're saying is bullshit.

I was born and raised in Iowa until the age of 19. Almost every single (cotton-picken) farm family that I knew considered themselves to be a Democrat. And yet not a single one of them that I knew would give up their arms under any circumstances. And these are people with HUGE balls.
We can get into discussion regarding the obvious dependencies that farming subsidies have in creating dependent subjects, but there ARE 'Democrats' that are adamantly Pro-2A in this country. And they're the type of people that will show up for a pro-gun rally even though they gots themselves J-O-B's... No matter what fucking day of the week it is.

Don't politically polarize our issue.

[Bailey Guns]

jhood001, I'm pretty sure that you and I are on the same page regarding our passion for gun-rights and other civil liberties. But tell me then... The people that vote for Feinstein, McCarthy, Schumer, Obama, Degette et al... Even if they own guns do you really think they're truly pro-gun? I'm gonna have to disagree with you because I don't. If you (generic you...not "you" personally) support a party that openly states in their party platform:

We recognize that the individual right to bear arms is an important part of the American tradition, and we will preserve Americans’ Second Amendment right to own and use firearms. We believe that the right to own firearms is subject to reasonable regulation. We understand the terrible consequences of gun violence; it serves as a reminder that life is fragile, and our time here is limited and precious. We believe in an honest, open national conversation about firearms. We can focus on effective enforcement of existing laws, especially strengthening our background check system, and we can work together to enact commonsense improvements – like reinstating the assault weapons ban and closing the gun show loophole – so that guns do not fall into the hands of those irresponsible, law-breaking few.


...then I submit you ARE NOT pro-gun. Couch it in whatever terms you like I sincerely don't believe you can support the people that wrote that and say you're pro-gun. We'll have to agree to disagree. If that politically polarizes the issue then so be it.

And I grew up with family from the South so I'm pretty familiar with how some "democrats" stand on their guns. Doesn't change the fact they're supporting the Democrat party philosophy of increased gun control by voting for a Democrat. I think we all know how short a politician's memory can be and we all know how quickly their values can change once he/she wins an election. Furthermore, when the party leadership really NEEDS every vote they can get on a particular piece of legislation they know how to "persuade" party members to vote along party lines. They can threaten them with cutting off national party funding, they can force primaries at re-election time...all sorts of nasty tricks to get a vote they need. And that's not just Democrats...that's politics in general.

Maybe we need to clarify our terms and how each of us would define "pro-gun". My definition would be someone who actively supports the shooting sports, votes for "pro-gun" politicians who don't support a party platform of increased gun control and gun bans and someone who doesn't believe in further compromise of our already "compromised to death" gun rights. Someone who is for loosening restrictions on gun ownership in general. Basically, someone who knows what the 2nd Amendment says and believes in "will not be infringed".

ETA: Don't get me wrong. If there's a Democrat, especially in the CO legislature, that's wants to stand with gun owners in defiance of the Democrat party I'd certainly welcome the support. But I'd also say the old adage "beware of Greeks bearing gifts" would certainly apply.

[Milt]

Bailey Guns,

How well has that 'vote Republican' thing worked for you, so far?

For just a few recent examples, even 'Saint Reagan' stabbed gun owners in the back; Bush the First issued an executive order the constituted the first post-NFA 'assault weapons' ban; Bush the Second stated that he would sign a ban if it got through congress. NO politician is trustworthy - the sooner we 'get' that concept, the sooner we can start to fight effectively for our rights. By the way, that does NOT involve voting for the 'lesser of two evils' (the lesser of two evils is still evil).

[Bailey Guns]

Bailey Guns,

How well has that 'vote Republican' thing worked for you, so far?

For just a few recent examples, even 'Saint Reagan' stabbed gun owners in the back; Bush the First issued an executive order the constituted the first post-NFA 'assault weapons' ban; Bush the Second stated that he would sign a ban if it got through congress. NO politician is trustworthy - the sooner we 'get' that concept, the sooner we can start to fight effectively for our rights. By the way, that does NOT involve voting for the 'lesser of two evils' (the lesser of two evils is still evil).

Sorry for the late response...missed this post.

Voting republican has worked a damn sight better than voting democrat or 3rd party, that's for sure. Do you think we'd be going through this BS in Colorado if we had a republican-controlled legislature? I don't. And you won't get any argument from me about Reagan not being a friend to gun owners. I've brought up the fact that he signed the Mulford Act in California in this forum numerous times. And yes, Bush did say he's sign an AWB IF it got to his desk. But the point is, with republicans in control of the legislature that was not going to happen. And it didn't.

All you have to do is look, listen and maybe read. The democrat party lists gun control as a goal in their party platform. Republicans don't. It really doesn't need to be made more complicated than that.