The measures signed into law by the governor aim at quelling suicide rates, youth violence and mass shootings
Colorado’s governor signed four gun control bills Friday, a significant move in a state with a long history of mass gun violence, including a shooting last fall at an LGBTQ+ nightclub that left five people dead.The legislation comes as states across the US struggle to confront a nationwide surge in violent crime and mass shootings, and a recent supreme court ruling that expanded second amendment rights.
“Coloradans deserve to be safe in our communities, in our schools, in our grocery stores, in our nightclubs,” said Jared Polis, the governor, as he signed the measures in his office. The state saw 13 mass shootings last year and saw more people injured by mass gun violence than in any previous year,Supportive lawmakers and citizens alike had tears in their eyes and roared their applause as Polis signed each bill. Colorado has a history of notorious mass shootings reaching back to the Columbine high school massacre in 1999.
“It’s a sad day for Colorado; we are becoming one of the most anti-second amendment states in the nation,” said Mike Lynch, the Republican minority leader.