Washington, D.C., May 11, 2021 - Ahead of a hearing in the Colorado Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee on SB21-256, Brady calls for the committee and the General Assembly to pass this common-sense bill without delay along with two gun violence prevention bills heard in the Colorado House Judiciary and Public Behavioral Health & Human Services committees last week. Particularly following another mass shooting last weekend in Colorado Springs, it is clear that Colorado needs the common-sense policies in these bills to help stop gun violence in the state.Brady President Kris Brown shared:“The Colorado General Assembly has an opportunity to show Coloradans that it is responding to their needs. After the mass shooting in Colorado Springs this weekend and the mass shooting in Boulder in March, it is clear that state and federal leaders must take action to keep the public safe from gun violence. The Colorado Senate has before it a bill to allow local governments to institute public safety measures in their jurisdictions. This is a common-sense, public safety law that allows local governments to treat the gun violence epidemic in their communities by using specifically tailored policy solutions to protect their citizens. The General Assembly must pass this and the two other bills before it, without delay.”Gun Violence Survivor, Colorado Resident and Brady Vice President of Organizing Maisha Fields shared:“Our state should be thought of for its natural beauty, our entrepreneurial spirit, and our strong communities. Instead, we’re remembered for Columbine, for Aurora, for Boulder, and now for the mass shooting at Colorado Springs over the weekend. Our state simply must not accept anymore gun violence. The General Assembly must pass SB21-256 to allow local governments to protect their citizens, as well as HB21-1298 to ensure a background check is complete with a gun sale and prohibit people with violent misdemeanors from temporarily buying guns and HB21-1299 to create an office of gun violence prevention. We need these laws. We need our leaders to prioritize our safety. We need action now.”Brady Colorado State Lead Val Beck shared:“Coloradans want common-sense legislation to keep us safe from gun violence. Last year, Denver Police responded to shootings 42 percent more compared to the previous year. 846 people died from gun-related injuries in Colorado in 2019, the last year for which we have CDC data. Gun violence is an epidemic in our state requiring multifaceted solutions. We appreciate the General Assembly’s efforts in passing two laws so far this year, and we once again call on the legislature to prioritize the needs of our communities and pass these three bills without haste. Our safety and our lives are on the line.”About SB21-256:SB21-256 would permit a local government to enact an ordinance, regulation, or other law governing or prohibiting the sale, purchase, transfer, or possession of a firearm, ammunition, or firearm component or accessory that is not less restrictive than state laws. HB21-256 is being heard by the Colorado Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee today.About HB21-1298:HB21-1298 would close the so-called ‘Charleston Loophole’ by affording the Colorado Bureau of Investigation the time needed to complete a background check for a firearm transfer and ensure that the background check investigation is complete. The bill creates prohibitions for certain violent misdemeanor offenses for a period of five years. The bill also provides the bureau with additional time to review and make a determination on individuals’ appeals to the system. HB21-1298 was passed by the House Judiciary committee in the Colorado House of Representatives and awaits a vote on the floor.About HB21-1299:HB21-1299 would establish an office of gun violence prevention (office) within the department of public health and environment to coordinate and promote effective efforts to reduce gun violence. HB21-1298 was passed by the House Public & Behavioral Health & Human Services Committee in the Colorado House of Representatives and awaits a vote on the floor.About Brady’s Polling in Colorado:Just before the 2020 election, Brady and Public Policy Polling surveyed Colorado voters. This poll showed yet again that Colorado voters like the overwhelming majority of Americans want and support common-sense gun violence prevention policies. Results from this poll show that of Colorado voters:
70 percent support a policy that would require background checks to buy ghost gun kits, while only two in ten oppose such a measure.
Two-thirds, 66 percent, support a waiting period for gun purchases
62 percent support Congress passing a universal background check law, double those who oppose such a law.
Over six in ten, 61 percent, support the state’s recently enacted Extreme Risk Law, sometimes referred to as a “red flag” law
56 percent are more likely to vote for a candidate who supports universal background checks on all gun transactions
Brady has one powerful mission — to unite all Americans against gun violence. We work across Congress, the courts, and our communities with over 90 grassroots chapters, bringing together young and old, red and blue, and every shade of color to find common ground in common sense. In the spirit of our namesakes Jim and Sarah Brady, we have fought for over 45 years to take action, not sides, and we will not stop until this epidemic ends. It’s in our hands.
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