Colorado Democrats to roll out tougher gun proposals Tuesday

[.455_Hunter]

Colorado Democrats will hold a news conference Tuesday morning in the West foyer of the state Capitol to unveil what they've touted is a "comprehensive" package of gun bills.

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_22523196/colorado-democrats-roll-out-tougher-gun-proposals-tuesday

In the words from Jurassic Park- "Hold on to your butts..."

Hopefully, some of the rural D's and competent urban ones (like Senator Tochtrop) will stand up to this silliness.

[vossman]

Is this when I put on my new foil hat?

[ChunkyMonkey]

Actually from the local reps' responses I got so far, it's not looking good. Always be prepared for the worst and hope for the best.

[Ronin13]

And here they are! 8 proposals went forward today:
-Liability for assault weapons manufacturers
-Universal background checks
-Ban on magazines >10 rounds
-Flagging mental health issues in background checks
-Gun prevention for domestic violence suspects, convicts
-In-person training for CCW permit
-Fee for CBI background checks (about $10)
-College campus concealed carry ban
Looks like I'm moving since I'll bet a lot of these will go through... And I'm not going back to school in this state. [Mad]

[TS12000]

The college campus no ccw thing always blows my mind. CCW holders are some of the lowest crime committing subgroups of people in the country yet always accused of somehow causing these shootings? It doesn't make any kind of damned sense at all.

[lowbeyond]

Colorado Democrats said they will introduce bills that would hold makers and sellers of assault-style weapons legally liable for any harm gunmen inflicted with them in a news conference Tuesday in which they called for a long list of tough new gun-control laws.

from the OP's link. ouch

[.455_Hunter]

Isn't there a federal law prohibiting liability lawsuits for gun manufacturers and distributors, assuming they have followed regulations?

[.455_Hunter]

The DP article quotes Rep. Ed Vigil, D-Fort Garland:

"I'm not sure why Democrats here in Colorado and in Washington, D.C., think that more gun laws is the answer. Bans or extra requirements are not going to prevent crimes."

How many are there like him?

[Ghosty]

Wow, not surprising, but still stings. WISH there were more logical Dems like Vigil here...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/SpectralCat/Emoticons/fuyou_2.gif @ Colorado anti-gun legislators!

[.455_Hunter]

WISH there were more logical Dems like Vigil here


Maybe you do???? Senator Lois Tochtrop (D- Thornton) was one of the original sponsors of the State Concealed Carry Law. How does she stand now?

[merl]

so they wish to your rights based on accusation of DV.. what was that about due process again?


There is also another one I noticed...
2 DUIs within 7 years = felony..

[MED]

Maybe you do???? Senator Lois Tochtrop (D- Thornton) was one of the original sponsors of the State Concealed Carry Law. How does she stand now?

Tochtrop is a biker and a gun owner...she won't vote for most of this. I knew her well when I worked at the capitol.

After reading the DP article: I see two huge victories from the start. They are not pushing for an AWB, and they don't have Hick. on board. From everything I read, Hick wants the background checks and mental health info. on background checks but has not endorsed anything else. If we could come out of this with only those two, I would be really happy. The college campus CCW thing is STUPID. I just don't see how they can logically turn people into defenseless victims and think it is good policy.

[.455_Hunter]

Very interesting that Hickenlooper was not a the press conference.

Maybe he is more pragmatic than we thought, especially with the upcoming meeting with LaPierre.

[muddywings]

The college campus no ccw thing always blows my mind. CCW holders are some of the lowest crime committing subgroups of people in the country yet always accused of somehow causing these shootings? It doesn't make any kind of damned sense at all.

I've only spent a little free time on VPC.org to try to pick apart some of their claims....it's a hobby.
Since my wife is in school full time and a CCW holder AND carries all the time, I picked a part this one for a friend:
http://www.vpc.org/ccwkillers.htm

499 deaths by CCW since 2007.
5 years 7 months
averages to 90 a year.
round down to 300,000,000 people in the US
your chances of being killed by a CCW holder is.....0.000003/year
feel free to compare to cars, doctors, pools, etc etc


Dems: never let facts or statistics get in the way of an emotional argument!

[muddywings]

Colorado Democrats said they will introduce bills that would hold makers and sellers of assault-style weapons legally liable for any harm gunmen inflicted with them in a news conference Tuesday in which they called for a long list of tough new gun-control laws.

from the OP's link. ouch



A stripped lower is technically the firearm.
Question-If you have a custom built, do they plan on going after every part maker?
Sorta shows they don't know what the hell they are talking about....

[.455_Hunter]

If somebody gets the text of the bills, please post!

Questions include- Grandfathering/transfer of existing mags, or de-facto confiscation?

[MED]

As soon as they are introduced, you can search for them here and follow them through the process including amendments and votes. If you search on firearm, you can see the ones so far.

http://www.leg.state.co.us/CLICS/CLICS2013A/csl.nsf/Search?OpenFrameSet

[Clint45]

I hope the "universal background check" doesn't apply to ammo . . . New York's new law mandates you submit to a background check simply for buying a box of ammo at the store, and your name, occupation, calibers and amount of ammo purchased are submitted to a NYSP database . . . they also made it a crime for private individuals to sell ammo.

[lowbeyond]

Very interesting that Hickenlooper was not a the press conference.

Maybe he is more pragmatic than we thought, especially with the upcoming meeting with LaPierre.

Do you really think he will veto any gun control bill that gets passed ? i don't

[.455_Hunter]

Do you really think he will veto any gun control bill that gets passed ?

I have no idea. I do think it merits discussion since he only mentioned the BG check issue during his "State of the State" speech, is meeting with LaPierre this week, and was not present today. Andrew Cuomo would have been all over it.

[Dave]

A stripped lower is technically the firearm.
Question-If you have a custom built, do they plan on going after every part maker?
Sorta shows they don't know what the hell they are talking about....
Typical for lawyers when planning a lawsuit is to throw them out and see what the court lets stick to who or what.

[Zundfolge]

The college campus no ccw thing always blows my mind. CCW holders are some of the lowest crime committing subgroups of people in the country yet always accused of somehow causing these shootings? It doesn't make any kind of damned sense at all.

Let me explain the college campus no ccw thing; Its not about making campuses safer, its about making gun owners (read: Republicans/conservatives/libertarians) feel unwelcome in their strongholds, thus preserving them as high density leftist echo chambers.

[Ronin13]

The college campus CCW thing is STUPID. I just don't see how they can logically turn people into defenseless victims and think it is good policy.
What's even dumber is the fact that the CO Supreme Court said that banning CCW on college campuses is unconstitutional.

[.455_Hunter]

What's even dumber is the fact that the CO Supreme Court said that .

Unfortunately, I don't think they said that banning CCW on college campuses is unconstitutional, just that it violated current state law. Hence, the push to change the law.

[ferrum]

I would like to know which democrats are wavering and may vote against their party. If we can sway enough we could defeat these , soon to be, bills and send a message.
Does anyone have any knowledge on where we should focus our efforts? In an all Republican district, I believe my future efforts should be focused on other state officials.

[Rucker61]

I've only spent a little free time on VPC.org to try to pick apart some of their claims....it's a hobby.
Since my wife is in school full time and a CCW holder AND carries all the time, I picked a part this one for a friend:
http://www.vpc.org/ccwkillers.htm

499 deaths by CCW since 2007.
5 years 7 months
averages to 90 a year.
round down to 300,000,000 people in the US
your chances of being killed by a CCW holder is.....0.000003/year
feel free to compare to cars, doctors, pools, etc etc


Dems: never let facts or statistics get in the way of an emotional argument!

I see there's a figure of law enforcement officers killed by CCW holders. I wonder what the total of the same time of innocent targets or bystanders killed by LEOs would be? Denver alone could probably beat the 14 figure. I also wonder why they think someone willing to commit murder with a CCW wouldn't carry an illegal pistol, since most of the homicides in this country are by people using illegally owned and carried handguns.

[.455_Hunter]

From the follow-up DP article:

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_22525681/some-colorado-democrats-are-gun-shy-about-partys

Mentioned specifically: Rep. Ed Vigil (D- Fort Garland), Rep. Dominick Moreno (D-Commerce City) and Sen. Lois Tochtrop, (D-Thornton),

[ferrum]

From the follow-up DP article:

http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_22525681/some-colorado-democrats-are-gun-shy-about-partys

Mentioned specifically: Rep. Ed Vigil (D- Fort Garland), Rep. Dominick Moreno (D-Commerce City) and Sen. Lois Tochtrop, (D-Thornton),



Good info -- Thanks

[Bailey Guns]

Hats off to all of you who voted for democrats. How's that "pro-gun" thing working out for ya?

[spqrzilla]

What's even dumber is the fact that the CO Supreme Court said that banning CCW on college campuses is unconstitutional.
As mentioned above, this is not correct.
The Colorado Supreme Court ruled that the University of Colorado could not ignore state law where it was clear that the law explicitly applied to the University.

[husky390]

I already sent out letters to the House Speaker and my local rep. I read the briefs on the bills and the Senate Majority Leader is a lying sack. They are calling the Glock used in the Tucson shootings a Military Assault Weapon. I found this on FB posted by 630 KHOW.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/124043370/Colorado-Democrats-Proposed-Gun-Laws

[motohooligan]

A few decent quotes in that Denver Post article (for politicians anyway).

[tw4]

Here is Hickenloopers email write him I have. ----- Tell him what you think.

http://www.colorado.gov/govhdir/ (http://www.colorado.gov/govhdir/)

[ShelbyJK500]

It's only a matter of time folks, whether this week or next year. Colorado has quickly become California's little sister and it makes me sick!

[.455_Hunter]

Add Sen. Cheri Jahn (D- Wheat Ridge) as potentially responsive to the cause.

[BPTactical]

Isn't there a federal law prohibiting liability lawsuits for gun manufacturers and distributors, assuming they have followed regulations?

Yes, the "Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act" that was signed into law by Bush in 2005. It holds manufacturers and sellers harmless if a firearm (that was lawfully transferred) is used in a criminal act or misused. Not sure if it covers an individual owner in case of theft etc.
One of the biggest opponents to the Act in 2005?
Then senator BHO.
Any way of finding out if he had it repealed?

If it still stands then what Morse proposed is a violation of Federal law.
Might not be a bad idea to mention that fact in your correspondence. The Fed does not take to states defying Federal Firearm laws kindly.
Time to burn up the email, phone, snail mail and fax lines.

[JVC]

This is lawmaking at its absolute worst. The fear-based proposals from the Dems, especially the liability features, are absolutely outrageous. Even more reason to keep the letter-writing campaign going to your representatives AND the governor, who does not seem to be behind the liability or AWB clauses.

Has anyone heard of whether RMGO might be holding rallies/protests?

[lowbeyond]

so was our pot law that just passed. against fed law that is...

but really, fed law will not stop anyone that files suit. you still would have to spend $ to defend it in court. AFAIK you can't just not show up and win. so now imagine all these suits flying around how much will they siphon off of people. now throw in some well funded people think MAIG on steroids and the suits will start fluying. who cares if they cant win they can bleed you to death.

it is death by a thousand cuts to ban the selling of guns.

[lowbeyond]

link to the dem's handout

http://www.scribd.com/doc/124043370/Colorado-Democrats-Proposed-Gun-Laws

[merl]

so was our pot law that just passed. against fed law that is...

but really, fed law will not stop anyone that files suit. you still would have to spend $ to defend it in court. AFAIK you can't just not show up and win. so now imagine all these suits flying around how much will they siphon off of people. now throw in some well funded people think MAIG on steroids and the suits will start fluying. who cares if they cant win they can bleed you to death.

it is death by a thousand cuts to ban the selling of guns.

owner was on that list too... your 'registered' gun was stolen and used in a crime. well you are liable because it wasn't locked up... Oh it was in a safe? you are liable because it wasn't an approved safe.

[Great-Kazoo]

And here they are! 8 proposals went forward today:
-Liability for assault weapons manufacturers
-Universal background checks
-Ban on magazines >10 rounds
-Flagging mental health issues in background checks
-Gun prevention for domestic violence suspects, convicts
-In-person training for CCW permit
-Fee for CBI background checks (about $10)
-College campus concealed carry ban
Looks like I'm moving since I'll bet a lot of these will go through... And I'm not going back to school in this state. [Mad]

What happened to Jeffco?

[merl]

What happened to Jeffco?

last couple pages of http://www.ar-15.co/threads/86689-Let-s-show-up-at-Jeffco-Tuesday-morning-(and-dress-appropriately-not-like-some-fringe-element-)

[Kraven251]

Tochtrop is a biker and a gun owner...she won't vote for most of this. I knew her well when I worked at the capitol.

After reading the DP article: I see two huge victories from the start. They are not pushing for an AWB, and they don't have Hick. on board. From everything I read, Hick wants the background checks and mental health info. on background checks but has not endorsed anything else. If we could come out of this with only those two, I would be really happy. The college campus CCW thing is STUPID. I just don't see how they can logically turn people into defenseless victims and think it is good policy.

Makes perfect sense, sets the stage for more spree killing, thus giving more opportunity for tragedy and new and exciting legislation [fail]

[lowbeyond]

yep. it is probably the worst of all the proposals.

[Zundfolge]

Yeah, these proposals all suck, but the fact that they've backed WAY down from their rhetoric from a month ago is a good sign.

Now lets get to work on our reps!

[Great-Kazoo]

What happened to Jeffco?

I'm talking about R13 want to get on with Jeffco

[MuzzleFlash]

Yes, the "Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act" that was signed into law by Bush in 2005. It holds manufacturers and sellers harmless if a firearm (that was lawfully transferred) is used in a criminal act or misused. .......

I read the law cover to cover a year ago and maybe I just missed the protection part for non FFLs. Can you provide a reference?

[Ronin13]

What happened to Jeffco?
Contingency- if JCSO doesn't work out I estimate 3 days later I'll be driving up to MT to look at houses...

[newracer]

More details

http://coloradosenate.org/home/press/colorado-legislators-work-together-to-pioneer-gun-safety-legislation


Legislation to close the private sale loophole in Colorado would:

Require private sellers to perform a background check before the sale is completed.
Have a background check conducted at a licensed dealer.
Exempt certain other gun transfers from background checks, providing firearms as gifts to immediate family members and transferring a firearm as part of an inheritance.
Penalties for noncompliance would be a fine of up to $5000, up to 18 months in jail, and loss of ability to buy a gun for two years.
Include provisions to enhance the real-time sharing of mental health data between state and federal agencies; an


Legislation on high-capacity magazines in Colorado would:

Ban the sale, transfer, and ownership of all new ammunition feeding devices (magazines, strips, and drums) capable of accepting more than 10 rounds after the enactment date of the bill.
Prohibit the sale or transfer of large-capacity ammunition feeding devices lawfully possessed on the date of enactment of the bill.
Penalties for noncompliance would be a fine of up to $1000 and 12 months in jail.

Widespread Support:

According to a survey conducted by Colorado pollster Chris Keating, 61% of Colorado voters support requiring a ban on high-capacity magazines.
A national survey by pollster Doug Schoen found that 72% of voters support banning high capacity ammunition magazines, or gun clips that hold more than 10 bullets at a time. The survey also found that 59% of gun owners and 47% of NRA members agree with this ban.



The Assault Weapon Responsibility Act would:

Create strict civil liability for owners of firearms with the exception of handguns, bolt action rifles and shotguns.
Create strict civil liability on the transfer, sale, or manufacture of these firearms.
Remove Colorado statutes that exempt manufacturers, importers and dealers from their responsibility for the damages done by their products.

[.455_Hunter]

http://coloradosenate.org/home/press/colorado-legislators-work-together-to-pioneer-gun-safety-legislation

Reading what's in that link makes you want to vomit...

[MuzzleFlash]

Contingency- if JCSO doesn't work out I estimate 3 days later I'll be driving up to MT to look at houses...

JCSO just lost 25 positions in the latest budget. Another side effect of the stagnant economy which is a side effect of electing too many Democrats to important positions at the state and national level. Redistribution of misery.

[Ghosty]

http://coloradosenate.org/home/press/colorado-legislators-work-together-to-pioneer-gun-safety-legislation

Reading what's in that link makes you want to vomit...
.
How is banning CCW from campuses making them more safe? How can they not know that none of these mass shootings had anything to do with concealed carry, and would probalby have LESS victims if a CCW was there to fight back. Idiots with heads in the sand.

[.455_Hunter]

How is banning CCW from campuses making them more safe? How can they not know that none of these mass shootings had anything to do with concealed carry, and would probalby have LESS victims if a CCW was there to fight back. Idiots with heads in the sand.

My wife works at CU-Boulder. She is not a happy camper right now!

[Clint45]

Yeah, these proposals all suck, but the fact that they've backed WAY down from their rhetoric from a month ago is a good sign.

Actually, that was probably their original intent. They knew it would never pass as was, but if they start out saying, "We want to take away EVERYTHING" a lot of gun owners would not argue if only a quarter of the original restrictions passed, in the false belief that they somehow "won" on three quarters of the issues.

[DHCO]

So glad they keep pushing the failed idea of "gun free" zones. I mean its a staggering disconnect of logic to think that gun free zones do anything when nearly every mass murder in recent US history has occurred in gun free zones. Its like trying to put out a fire by putting a sign up that says "Fire free zone" and hoping the fire will read the sign.

And if I'm reading this right magazines >10 rounds will not be grandfathered? Damn I seem to have lost all mine.

[R2Chief2]

The DP article quotes Rep. Ed Vigil, D-Fort Garland:

"I'm not sure why Democrats here in Colorado and in Washington, D.C., think that more gun laws is the answer. Bans or extra requirements are not going to prevent crimes."

How many are there like him?




D - Mark Udall is like him too.

I don't think many politicians realize that there are quite a few Dems that will protect the 2nd amendment, nor do they understand that attacking it is political suicide.
The only way for them to figure it out is to tell them. But it's better to tell them now, then by voting them out AFTER the damage has been done. They may vote for the 2nd amendment, if their job depends on it!

Call your Senator, Reps and the Gov.
CALL THEM NOW!!

[muddywings]

http://coloradosenate.org/home/press/colorado-legislators-work-together-to-pioneer-gun-safety-legislation

Reading what's in that link makes you want to vomit...


HUH??? WTF??? Where do they get their info:

BACKGROUND
INFO:
For far too long, gun owners, dealers and manufacturers have shifted responsibility for the damage caused by these guns to the families of the injured or murdered, our health care system, the state and ultimately the taxpayers. Any private benefit for a person to own such rifles is far outweighed by the additional danger they pose to the public.
SOLUTION:
With rights come responsibilities. The Second Amendment gives citizens the right to bear arms, but does not absolve us of the responsibility that goes along with that right. While semi-automatic firearms account for less than two percent of the roughly 300 million guns in the United States, the consequences of their use are disproportionately devastating. Rather than approach the problem by banning particular types of weapons, this solution will marry the right with the responsibility, ensuring that those who put these guns on our streets pay the full cost imposed on our society.
The Assault Weapon Responsibility Act would:


Create strict civil liability for owners of firearms with the exception of handguns, bolt action rifles and shotguns.
Create strict civil liability on the transfer, sale, or manufacture of these firearms.
Remove Colorado statutes that exempt manufacturers, importers and dealers from their responsibility for the damages done by their products.

[mahabali]

These libs are straight up retarded. NONE of this will reduce ANY crime! Honestly it will have the opposite effect. Call your reps folks!

[mahabali]

Help please! The email addys below are ready to paste into your email.....

Senate:

Irene.aguilar.senate@state.co.us, bob.bacon.senate@state.co.us, betty.boyd.senate@state.co.us, bill.cadman.senate@state.co.us, morgan.carroll.senate@state.co.us, joyce.foster.senate@state.co.us, angela.giron.senate@state.co.us, kevin.grantham.senate@state.co.us,, lucia.guzman.senate@state.co.us, ted.harvey.senate@state.co.us,, rollie.heath.senate@state.co.us,, mary.hodge.senate@state.co.us, senatorhudak@gmail.com, cheri.jahn.senate@state.co.us, mike.johnston.senate@state.co.us, keith@keithking.org, steve.king.senate@state.co.us,, senatorlambert@comcast.net, kevin@kevinlundberg.com, shawnmitch@aol.com, john.morse.senate@state.co.us

House:

Cindy.acree.house@state.co.us, david.balmer.house@state.co.us, mark.barker.house@state.co.us, randy.baumgardner.house@state.co.us , jon.becker.house@state.co.us, don.beezley.house@state.co.us, laurabradford55@gmail.com, jpaul.brown.house@state.co.us, Edward.casso.house@state.co.us, Kathleen.conti.house@state.co.us, don.coram.house@state.co.us, lois.court.house@state.co.us, brian@briandelgrosso.com, crisanta.duran.house@state.co.us, mferrandino@yahoo.com, Rhonda.fields.house@state.co.us, randyfischer@frii.com, bob.gardner.house@state.co.us, cheri.gerou@gmail.com, millie.hamner.house@state.co.us, dl.hullinghorst.house@state.co.us, SenatorMattJones@gmail.com, janak.joshi.house@state.co.us, repkagan@gmail.com, john.kefalas.house@state.co.us, andy.kerr.house@state.co.us, james.kerr.house@state.co.us, Jeanne.labuda.house@state.co.us, pete.lee.house@state.co.us, Claire.levy.house@state.co.us, larry.liston.house@state.co.us, marshalooper@gmail.com, tom.massey.house@state.co.us, beth.mccann.house@state.co.us, wes.mckinley.house@state.co.us, joe@joemiklosi.com, murrayhouse45@gmail.com, dan.pabon.house@state.co.us, sal.pace.house@state.co.us, cherylin.peniston.house@state.co.us, kpriola@gmail.com, Robert.ramirez.house@state.co.us, su.ryden.house@state.co.us, sue.schafer.house@state.co.us, ray.scott.house@state.co.us, jonathan.singer.house@state.co.us, judy.solano.house@state.co.us, jerry@repsonnenberg.com, john.soper.house@state.co.us, amy.stephens.house@state.co.us, ken.summers.house@state.co.us, keith.swerdfeger.house@state.co.us, libby.szabo.house@state.co.us, nancy.todd.house@state.co.us, max@maxtyler.us, glenn.vaad.house@state.co.us, edvigil1@gmail.com, mark.waller.house@state.co.us, angela.williams.house@state.co.us, roger.wilson.house@state.co.us, dave.young.house@state.co.us

[muddywings]

mahabli-thanks!
On my to do list today but does anybody out there know who the fence sitters are?

[losttrail]

.
How is banning CCW from campuses making them more safe? How can they not know that none of these mass shootings had anything to do with concealed carry, and would probalby have LESS victims if a CCW was there to fight back. Idiots with heads in the sand.

It has NOTHING to do with safety.

It has EVERYTHING to do with control.

[Great-Kazoo]

It has NOTHING to do with safety.

It has EVERYTHING to do with control.

No more calls we have a WINNER

[liberty19]

It has NOTHING to do with safety.

It has EVERYTHING to do with control.

+1 That's all they want - CONTROL. Which will ultimately lead to the slavery of this Great Nation.

[DavieD55]

It has NOTHING to do with safety.

It has EVERYTHING to do with control.

mmmm hmmmm.

[Kraven251]

so many of these things will be just one more charge levied against a criminal who shoots up a school...

these people are so damned blind.

[Walter.mitty]

D - Mark Udall is like him too.

I don't think many politicians realize that there are quite a few Dems that will protect the 2nd amendment, nor do they understand that attacking it is political suicide.
The only way for them to figure it out is to tell them. But it's better to tell them now, then by voting them out AFTER the damage has been done. They may vote for the 2nd amendment, if their job depends on it!

Call your Senator, Reps and the Gov.
CALL THEM NOW!!


I wouldn't count on Udall. I got the following reply from him and he uses all the phrases that scream "Danger!--Danger!" He ties 2A to Hunting/sport use. (IMHO any politician who uses hunting in the same paragraph with 2A should be [Stick] with a rolled up copy of the Constitution.)
He is spreading the battlefield line of trash. Which once they get that foot in the door your 30-06 or 7mm is looking a lot like a sniper rifle. IF the part I put in Italics is true then we need to work Udall hard, let him know we don't want any of this BS.

If you haven't contacted your reps, please do so.



Dear xxxx,

Thank you for contacting me regarding Second Amendment rights. I appreciate that you took the time to write on this important topic.
Responsible gun ownership is an integral part of our Western heritage. The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides for an individual right, and I am dedicated to protecting the rights of citizens to own firearms for personal protection, hunting, collecting or for other legal purposes.
We can all agree that the shootings at Columbine High School; Virginia Tech; in Aurora; Tucson, AZ; Newtown, CT and other instances in which terrible crimes have been committed with guns are national tragedies that should concern us all. No single policy is going to be adequate in preventing gun tragedies in the future. We need comprehensive solutions that examine our culture's glorification of violence, the effectiveness of our laws, our ability to enforce those laws and access to firearms, especially those designed for the battlefield. We must do everything we can - consistent with the Second Amendment - to keep weapons out of the hands of criminals, the mentally ill and those who would turn them against their community. As legislation related to Second Amendment rights is debated, I will carefully examine its intentions and impacts and use your thoughts to help guide me.
I will continue to listen closely to what you and other Coloradans have to say about matters before Congress, the concerns of our communities, and the issues facing Colorado and the nation. My job is not merely about supporting or opposing legislation, but also about bridging the divide that has paralyzed our nation's politics. For more information about my positions and to learn how my office can assist you, please visit my website at www.markudall.senate.gov (http://www.markudall.senate.gov).


Warm regards,



Mark Udall
U.S. Senator, Colorado

[Chief_of_Scouts]

We need comprehensive solutions that examine our culture's glorification of violence, the effectiveness of our laws, our ability to enforce those laws and access to firearms, especially those designed for the battlefield.

I have extensive experience on the "battlefield" with over 26 years of service in the U.S. Army. The firearms I was issued and used in combat are not the same as the weapons they keep ranting about. The "battlefield" weapon I used in combat was full-automatic. I could squeeze the trigger and more than one round would fire until I released the trigger. Not one rifle that I have purchased for my individual use has that ability. My semi-automatic rifle is NOT a firearm designed for a battlefield and to imply it is, well, is just a blatant lie intended to mislead and scare the public.