There
couldn’t be a hotter political talking point in Colorado than the gun
regulation debate that has been occurring in the state’s legislature this year. Just in September of 2013, two of Colorado’s Democratic
senators John Morse, who was also the president of the Colorado Senate, and
Angela Giron, of the Democratic-leaning city of Pueblo were recalled from
office in a special election, based on the strict regulations of guns in the
state that was passed.[1]
This
heavy gun control bill limits gun magazines to 15 rounds, and in addition in
order to purchase guns, there is a requirement of a universal background check,
which is to be paid for by the gun purchaser.[2]
The bill was able to pass without a single Republican vote for it, and will be
expected to take effect July 1, 2014.
This
recall election was the first in 100 years since it was adopted by Colorado in
their constitution. The final count
showed that David Morse was voted out in a tight election by 50.9-49 percent,
while Giron was voted out by a 56 percent to 44 percent.
Colorado’s
new gun regulations come in the face of a slew of mass shootings that have
occurred around the country in the past two years. This includes the shooting that resulted in
28 (including the shooter) killed at Sandy Hook Elementary on December 14,
2013,[3]
and the mass shooting at the Century movie theatre in Aurora Colorado on July
20, 2012, which killed 12 people and injured 70.[4]
According
to USA today, there have been more than 200 mass killings in the U.S.[5]
A mass shooting is characterized as an “act of murdering a large number of
people, typically at the same time or over a relatively short period of time.”[6] Despite this staggering number, there have
been absolutely no amendments to federal regulations of guns.
The
closest the United States has gotten in the past 10 years to some sort of
change in federal policy towards guns was a Democratic campaign to beef up
regulations which included universal, national background checks before
purchasing a gun. Even with the backing
of Vice President Joe Biden the bill regulation was not able to get through
Congress.
Colorado
is in fact one a few states in over a decade to pass a comprehensive gun
control act, and could in fact set a precedent for state gun regulation bills
around the nation. However what can be
asked is that although state legislatures may be progressive to pass such
bills, are the people of these states and ultimately the American people ready
for stricter gun laws?
[1] Gluek, Katie, “Colorado lawmakers recalled over guns,” Politico, September 10, 2013, http://www.politico.com/story/2013/09/colorado-recall-guns-referendum-96566.html.
[2]
Barabak, Mark Z., “Colorado lawmakers ousted in recall election over strict
laws,” L.A. Times, September 10,
2013, http://www.politico.com/story/2013/09/colorado-recall-guns-referendum-96566.html.
[3] Barron, James, “Children
Were All Shot Multiple Times with a Automatic, Officials Say.” New York Times, December 15, 2012,
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/16/nyregion/gunman-kills-20-children-at-school-in-connecticut-28-dead-in-all.html?_r=0&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1381881678-zRtO9l0a4PEz1Kkass1gjg.
[4] “Officials release
complete list of injured victims I Aurora massacre” Fox News, January 10, 2013, http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/01/10/officials-release-complete-list-injured-victims-in-aurora-massacre/.
[5] “Explore the data on
U.S. mass killings since 2006,” US News, September
19, 2013,
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/09/16/mass-killings-data-map/2820423/.
[6] A.
Aggrawal, Mass Murder, (London,
Elsevier Academic Press, 2005), 2116-223.
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