HB1224,1226,1228,1229 Reality Litmus Test

I read a post yesterday that asked if the HBs would have prevented a massacre like VA Tech. That really got me thinking... would any of the HBs passed yesterday prevent a VA Tech? After doing some preliminary research, this is what I found.

This was from my FB post shortly after the HBs passed yesterday.

"Let’s put the laws that passed the CO house today against the reality litmus test. Let’s just imagine that these laws were in place in VA before the VA Tech massacre…the worst shooting massacre in US history.

HB1224 – reducing magazine capacity to 15rd.
Like the vast majority of mass shooters (and criminals in general), including 3 of the 4 deadliest massacres in US history, the VA Tech shooter used handguns. He didn't use a single magazine for either of his guns that held more than the 15-round limit that the Colorado bill sets. Despite the fact that he was using "legal capacity" magazines, and that all of his victims were adults, no one was able to disarm him, despite all of the claims that a mag change allows time for someone to disarm the shooter.
FAIL: Magazine limit did nothing to stop VA Tech.

HB1229 – background checks for all transactions.
The VA Tech shooter went through background checks to buy his guns (which he also paid for – see HB1228). His handguns were obtained legally with background checks.
FAIL: A background check did nothing to stop VA Tech.

HB1228 – folks will pay for their own background checks
See HB1229 above
N/A: As this is a funding issue, it was not designed to stand alone, but to add to HB1229

HB1226 – no firearms on campus.
This is the only law of the set of 4 that the VA Tech shooter actually broke. Virginia banned guns on campus, which did nothing to prevent him (someone intent on breaking a much more serious law of murder) from bringing his onto the campus.
FAIL: The No Guns on Campus law did nothing to stop the shooter from bringing his on campus.

So, to summarize, even under all of Colorado's new bills, the sick bastard that committed the massacre at VA Tech would have been able to carry out the exact same attack with exactly the same guns, using the exact same magazines, with exactly the same results. And the only gun law he would have to break is the same idiotic one that he broke in Virginia - the gun-free campus law.

So, ask yourself, do you feel safer having these bills passed?"

More 'ammo' for the banners to use in the future and all part of the grand plan. Current laws 'didn't go far enough'. It's Incrementalism. Once these current laws pass you don't think they'll stop do you? They'll follow the NY model of 7 round mags for everything and won't stop there either, the banners won't be happy until all that's allowed is black powder rifles and bows for the Fudds because that's guaranteeing our Constitutional right to go duck hunting. Criminals will still have anything and everything they need however and the banners won't care. They've passed their feel-good legislation and achieved their dream, anyone with a gun is a criminal.

Sorry if i sound a little bitter.

I'm a teacher and I don't feel any safer. The only place I can't defend myself or the 26 children who are my responsibility is at work. Our only defense is a locked door. It doesn't make any sense. People are hiding behind the probability that something horrible wont happen to them. It's a joke

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Robb

More 'ammo' for the banners to use in the future and all part of the grand plan. Current laws 'didn't go far enough'. It's Incrementalism. Once these current laws pass you don't think they'll stop do you? They'll follow the NY model of 7 round mags for everything and won't stop there either, the banners won't be happy until all that's allowed is black powder rifles and bows for the Fudds because that's guaranteeing our Constitutional right to go duck hunting. Criminals will still have anything and everything they need however and the banners won't care. They've passed their feel-good legislation and achieved their dream, anyone with a gun is a criminal.

Sorry if i sound a little bitter.

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I agree and I too am a bit bitter. My FB post was mostly in response to some people saying that the HBs will make things safer. I had to call BS and call them out on that ASAFP. There is a chance it may open a few peoples eyes to the fact that they are just feel-good measures, but more than likely it will fall upon deaf ears.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by COvigilance

I'm a teacher and I don't feel any safer. The only place I can't defend myself or the 26 children who are my responsibility is at work. Our only defense is a locked door. It doesn't make any sense. People are hiding behind the probability that something horrible wont happen to them. It's a joke

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Dont worry, they will read the "Gun Free School Zone" sign and stop. Maybe they will hand out active-shooter whistles now too.
The fact remains if laws alone worked, we would never have had to go beyond the fact that murder is illegal.

Added this to a nice email to all of the state senators.