Colorado GOP bill would nullify possible federal gun limits

In an effort to stave off firearms restrictions being handed down from Washington, state Republicans have presented a bill that would nullify such federal efforts in Colorado.

The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Vicki Marble, R-Fort Collins, would prohibit state employees from enforcing some firearms laws or statutes that become effective after Jan. 1 of this year ? specifically any laws that ban assault weapons, limit magazine size or restrict a person's ability to buy a gun.

The bill would make it a misdemeanor for a federal agent to attempt to enforce such a law and authorize the state attorney general to defend a Colorado resident accused of violating such a federal regulation.

In January, President Obama issued 23 executive orders aimed at curbing gun violence. Among those orders, the president called for the launch of a national gun safety campaign and the need to improve incentives for states to share information with the federal background check system.

"It protects law-abiding citizens," Marble said, in reference to her bill. "We can't let the federal government infringe on our Second Amendment rights."

The bill's presentation comes after sheriffs in El Paso, Larimer, Garfield and Weld counties in the past recent weeks issued statements against enforcing gun regulations they considered unconstitutional.

The bill has no support from Democrats, who control both houses of the legislature, says Marble. It's set to be heard next month in the State, Veterans and Military affairs committee where it will likely die.

"The bill's lack of respect for the supremacy of federal law and federal jurisdiction over states is astonishing," said state Sen. Pat Steadman, D- Denver.

Recently the County Sheriffs of Colorado called on state and national lawmakers to hold off on any "hasty" new gun laws in the wake of mass shootings in Aurora and at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn.

Colorado Democrats are poised to introduce legislation that would require background checks on all private gun sales and a ban on high capacity magazines in the coming weeks.

Source: http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_22482962/colorado-gop-bill-would-nullify-possible-federal-gun?source=rss

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