We need to weave a cultural narrative that addresses the fact of the world we are making and helps us tell a story that ends differently from the murderous ways our national narratives have been concluding recently.
By Keith Coffman
DENVER (Reuters) – The Colorado legislature on Monday passed a “red flag” bill that would allow those deemed a threat to have their firearms seized, despite opposition by most of the state’s sheriffs and threats of legal challenges.
Both chambers of the Democratic-controlled General Assembly approved the measure, sending it to the desk of Governor Jared Polis, also a Democrat, who has indicated his support for the measure.
If signed into law, Colorado would become the 15th state to enact similar legislation, also called Extreme Risk Protection Orders, according to a statement from statehouse Democrats.
Under the legislation, a family member or law enforcement officer could petition a judge to seize firearms from a person they think is a threat to themselves or others. The judge could then hold a hearing without the targeted person being present and grant a temporary order for 14 days.
After the two-week order, both the petitioner and the gun owner could then try to persuade a judge why the firearms should or should not be returned.
About 50 of the state’s 62 elected sheriffs oppose the measure, according to Weld County Sheriff Steve Reams, who told Reuters he would not enforce the law because it could put his deputies at risk if they raid a home without prior notice.
‘UNCHALLENGED STATEMENTS’
The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees citizens the right to keep and bear arms. Opponents say the Colorado measure goes too far because it does not allow for a person to be heard in court before a judge issues a gun removal order.
“Unchallenged statements made by a petitioner before a judge … would be sufficient for law enforcement to enter that person’s home and confiscate their private property,” the National Rifle Association (NRA) said in a statement.
One of the proposal’s sponsors, House Rep. Tom Sullivan, said he ran for elected office after his son Alex was killed in a mass shooting at a Colorado movie theater in 2012.
“This bill will give law enforcement and families the tools that they need to stop tragedies from constantly happening and save lives,” said Sullivan, a Democrat.
The board of commissioners in heavily-Republican El Paso County passed a resolution last month vowing to “actively resist” the law, including taking legal action, if it is enacted.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, a
Democrat
Unbelievably, more Americans are calling for tougher gun laws now than right after the Sandy Hook massacre.
As gun violence continues to rear its ugly head all across this country, the American people want to see real change, not more extremist, guns-everywhere rhetoric from the NRA.
Republicans may continue to live in their NRA-funded bubbles, but it's clear the American people – Democrats, Independents and Republicans – are still hungry for tougher gun laws.
It's stunning that anybody would be against limiting a device that essentially transforms a firearm into an automatic weapon, but it's dumbfounding that Scalise, who almost died in a shooting, is hesitant to support it.
Editorial Cartoon: Not the Time
While it's good news that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle seem to have found some gun-related legislation they can agree on, it's not even close to enough.
More than 80 percent of Americans want to limit firearms access for people with mental illness and require background checks at gun shows and in private sales, according to a Pew Research Center survey released on Thursday.
That this this school shooting went by without any substantive cries to address our nation’s gun culture and safety laws, especially regarding domestic abusers, is another indictment against this impervious predicament.
Trump's presidency, with its emphasis on law and order, is trying to sell us the idea that a repressive society is a free society.
Jesse Jackson said what is needed is a plan but Trump has no plan, just a bunch of things he doesn't like and a short enough fuse to make that a problem.
Justice has not only been denied to a worthy Supreme Court nominee and the work of the high court. It continues to be denied to the American people.
If approved, it would also allow firearms in police stations and airports.
Once again, Hillary Clinton showed that she is in step with the vast majority of Americans while Donald Trump desperately clung to NRA talking points.
If you're a domestic violence offender, the Supreme Court says you don't have a Second Amendment right to a firearm.
During this historic, courageous sit in -- Democrats found not only their spine but the knowledge that they carry moral authority on this issue -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) praised Congressmen John Lewis.
"Forget your asinine gun control, do your job and engage in Islamic terrorist control."
Watch out, because Nugent says the only thing more dangerous than a "sow Grizzly bear with cubs is Ted Nugent with more confidence."
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has shown unprecedented courage in taking on the gun lobby – a position no other presidential candidate has taken on.
