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El Paso County commissioners criticize new Colorado gun bills, say board opposes measures
Summary
During the April 15 meeting several commissioners criticized recently passed state gun legislation (referred to in the meeting as "senate bill 25 0 3" and two house bills) and said the county and affiliated organizations have opposed the measures; at least one commissioner urged public calls for vetoes and mentioned possible legal challenges.
Commissioners at the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners meeting on April 15 sharply criticized recent Colorado gun legislation and described the county's opposition to the measures.
A commissioner who identified herself as Commissioner Applegate said the board and others should oppose what she described as restrictive state measures. In her remarks she referred to "senate bill 25 0 3" and said the passage represented "the strictest gun laws in the entire nation" as quoted during her comments. She urged constituents to contact the governor and requested vetoes for bills she named in the meeting: "house bill 25 12 38" and "house bill 25 11 33." In the meeting Applegate warned that law-abiding citizens would face new requirements for safety courses and permits and said she expected economic consequences, saying gun stores on the Eastern Plains might relocate to neighboring states.
Later in the meeting a speaker identified as the chair said the board had taken an official position in opposition to the legislation and that Colorado County organizations (referred to in the meeting as CCI) had likewise registered opposition where possible. The chair also said they expected legal challenges and that the county would consider opportunities to support litigation or briefs if appropriate.
Vice Chair Williams offered brief remarks echoing condolences earlier in the meeting; she did not expand on legal strategy. The El Paso County Sheriff's Office was referenced by commissioners as opposing the state measure, and commissioners said sheriffs statewide share that opposition.
The comments were the commissioners' public remarks; the meeting record did not include a new formal vote at this session to initiate litigation or other binding legal action. Several statements on likely effects of the laws were expressed as personal or political opinion by commissioners and are reported here as such.
