A San Luis Valley lawmaker who grew up with guns appears to be the lone Democrat who plans to oppose all four gun-control measures the House will vote on Monday morning.
Rep. Ed Vigil of Fort Garland was also the only Democrat to speak against the bills during a marathon debate on Friday, although other Democrats are expected to explain their positions Monday when the formal votes are taken.
Rep. Leroy Garcia of Pueblo said he opposes three of the measures. Rep. Steve Lebsock of Thornton, who said concealed carry permit holders are law abiding citizens, opposes two of the bills. Many lawmakers support all four, some are undecided and some oppose one bill.
The four gun bills are sponsored by Democrats, who hold a 37-28 majority in the House, meaning five Democrats would have to defect for a bill to fail. Both Democrats and Republicans predict all four bills will pass, although one or two might just be by one vote.
“The majority party seems determined to grow government and lose jobs while talking about public safety,” said. Rep. Chris Holbert, R-Parker.
Not a single Republican supports any of the bills, which they alternately claim are unconstitutional, will do nothing for public safety or will drive business out of Colorado.
Vigil pleaded with his caucus Friday to reject the bills.
“This is an emotional issue,” he said. “This is an issue that speaks to the fundamental rights of Coloradans and Americans.”
The link between the mass murders, he said, is mental illnesses and the bills that have been proposed are “not going to make the streets safer.”
House Bill 1229 requires background checks for all gun transactions; House Bill 1226 involves concealed carry permits on campuses; House Bill 1228 institutes a fee for gun buyers to cover the cost of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to perform background checks; and House Bill 1224 limits magazines to 15 rounds.
Here’s what Lebsock said in an e-mail to his constituents:
“YES on 1228. If I want to buy a gun, then I should pay for the background check. Colorado taxpayers, my neighbors, should not be forced to pay for my background check if I want to purchase a firearm.
“YES on 1229. Currently all gun sales at gun shops here in Colorado are subject to a CBI background check. 1229 will require background checks on all sales.
“I will be voting NO on 1224 and 1226. Over the last several months I have thought about the proposed restrictions on the number of rounds in a magazine and the proposed prohibition in most areas on college campuses in Colorado. I am an honorably discharged Marine Corps Veteran who has experience with firearms. I have had a permit to carry although I have allowed my previous concealed carry permit to expire and I have not renewed that license. Citizens who have a permit to carry are law abiding responsible citizens.
A sample of where some Democrats stand on the gun bills:
Rep. Beth McCann of Denver, supports all four bills: “… I believe that these measures will increase safety in Colorado and reduce gun violence.”
Rep. Jovan Melton, of Aurora, supports all four bills: “I believe that our state and the nation must address the violent acts that have taken place here in Aurora as well as across the county. … I’m not suggesting that guns are the cause of violence, but they are often the tool of choice in committing violent crimes. Let’s make these tools harder to get and keep them from where they belong.”
Rep. Joe Salazar, of Thornton, supports three bills, wavering on the fourth, but wouldn’t say which one.
Rep. Tracy Kraft Tharp, of Arvada,, supports all four bills: “After much reflection, I think that these four bills move us further down the path of striking a balance between preserving our second amendment rights with concerns for public safety.”
Rep. Daniel Kagan, of Cherry Hills Village, of Cherry Hills Village, supports all four bills: “I’m supporting the fee for background checks partly because I feel Rep. (Lois) Court’s amendment puts adequate guardrails around the size of the fee, and I’m voting for the magazine capacity limit partly because I believe the (Rep.) Salazar amendment clarifies that manufacturing of large-capacity magazines will continue to be legal in Colorado. In other words, my two reservations about those two bills were addressed.