Yesterday, legislation was passed in Colorado that caused further restriction for gun owners. High capacity magazines, universal background checks with a tax, as well as the illegal transfer of a firearm without going through a gun dealer are the objects of the three bills signed by Governor Hickenlooper. Many arguments against the legislation have been in regards to the effectiveness of implementing these bills. How can continuous ownership be proven? How can it be verified that one person owned the gun in the first place? What truly prevents someone from transferring a gun?
For Colorado, this may be the first step towards statewide gun registration and the requirement to have permits for everything firearm related (firearm, accessories, ammunition, etc.).
Since Governor Hickenlooper signed the gun legislation yesterday, many Colorado Sheriffs and other peace officers have spoke out against the bills, stating that they would not enforce the new laws. Not only are they “unenforceable” as stated by Sheriff John Minor, but also it does not really do anything to prevent criminals from doing harm (Denver Post).
Peace Officers across the country have taken firm stances, both for and against gun control legislation. Some have argued that further gun control takes away from Second Amendment rights, while others argue that it will protect other officers and citizens. For Texans, this may not mean much for the near future, but the new Colorado gun laws may give influence at a national level, instituting further national legislation. For Texans, this currently affects the state at an indirect level. It may not seem like a large issue right now, but it will become more and more prevalent as the weeks and months pass. The discussion is only in its beginning phases.
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