By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
As the 25th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting looms in Colorado, majority Democrats in the state House of Representatives have passed a bill to ban the sale and transfer of so-called “assault weapons” on a 35-27 vote.
However, Senate President Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder) is quoted by the Colorado Sun expressing doubts the measure will have enough votes in his chamber to become law.
ABC News is reporting House Bill 1292 comes a year after Centennial State lawmakers passed four gun control measures which added restrictions including a three-day waiting period, raised the minimum age for gun purchases from18 to 21, strengthening the so-called “red flag” law and eroding “legal protections” for the firearms industry, enabling crime victims to file lawsuits against gunmakers.
HB 1292 goes farther. This legislation defines an “assault weapon” as a semiautomatic rifle that accepts a detachable magazine, has a pistol grip and other features, and can accept a grenade launcher, has a barrel shroud and a threaded barrel, and a folding, detachable or telescoping stock.
Also covered in the bill are semiautomatic shotguns with either a pistol grip, folding, telescoping or thumbhole stock and fixed large-capacity magazine.
The bill also includes semiautomatic pistols with various features a threaded barrel, can accommodate a second pistol grip to be held in the “non-trigger hand,” and can accept a detachable magazine.
House Republicans opposed the legislation, calling it unconstitutional. There is no indication so far that anyone is planning a legal challenge, should the bill become law, but there will be plenty of time for lawsuits if, and when, the bill is actually signed into law.
According to ABC News, the chances of passing in the Senate are not as good as they were in the House. Democrats hold a 23-12 majority in the upper chamber, which is considered more moderate.
Should Colorado actually ban modern semiautomatic rifles and pistols, it will join a handful of other states including California, Illinois, Maryland, New York and Washington, where existing laws are already being challenged in federal court.
Critics say HB1292 doesn’t address the “real issues” in Colorado, but it blames firearms instead of the people misusing firearms. They point fingers are mental health and recidivist criminal behavior.
ABC News noted the 25th anniversary of the Columbine High School mass shooting is approaching. The tragedy unfolded April 20, 1999, this coming Saturday.
