Gun Laws & Legislation

Colorado recall groups now aiming for repeal of new gun laws

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Greg Campbell Contributor
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The two citizens groups that organized Colorado’s historic recall of two Democratic state legislators last week now have their eyes on the gun laws that led to the ousters.

According to the website Complete Colorado, the Basic Freedom Defense Fund and Pueblo Freedom and Rights are circulating a questionnaire to Colorado lawmakers asking them if they would vote to repeal “Colorado’s unlawful new gun restrictions” in 2014 and if they would support a statewide ballot initiative to see the new laws repealed.

The groups were behind the recent successful recalls of former state Sens. John Morse and Angela Giron, both of whom were targeted for supporting laws that limit the size of ammunition magazines and require universal background checks for all gun transfers.

“As you are likely aware, we recently succeeded in the first successful recall of not one, but two, State officials in Colorado history,” the questionnaire reads. “As we consider our next endeavors, we wish to know where every legislator stands on a repeal of Colorado’s unlawful new gun restrictions.”

A spokeswoman said that the recalls were only the beginning of the groups’ political activities and said that those who continue to support the new laws should know the risks.

“While we consider Tuesday’s election a significant victory, we realize that these egregious gun laws remain and we want to know where each and every Colorado state legislator stands on them,” said Jennifer Kerns in a statement.

“It is a new day in Colorado and constituents expect their legislators to represent the will of the people,” she said. “No one is immune from the reach of the grassroots efforts which powered these two recall elections.”

The groups also plan to poll candidates for state office, ensuring that voters haven’t heard the last of the gun debate.

The recall elections drew national attention and big money from national groups on both sides of the issue. The National Rifle Association heavily funded the recall efforts, while former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg opened his checking account to those opposing them.

The fight was largely seen as a referendum on gun control, not just in Colorado but in other states where lawmakers may contemplate restrictions on firearm ownership.

Republican state Sen. Greg Brophy, who is running for governor in 2014, told the Colorado Observer that he plans to introduce a bill to repeal the controversial new laws.

If a repeal fails in the legislature, Kerns told the website the groups are “seriously considering” an effort to put the question on the 2014 ballot.

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