Is Colorado the National Bellwether for Guns?

Colorado legislative sessions are often unremarkable. Last year, the placid surface of the session was broken the last week with a fight over civil unions.  But this year’s session started with a bang, and is being intensely covered on networks and cable news, in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and papers around the country. Colorado grabbed the attention early in January because it was moving fast, it has had two world reported incidents of gun violence and it is seen as a presidential-level battleground state. Seven gun control bills are the topic, and what Colorado does is considered likely to be a template for debates around the country and Washington D.C.

The opponents of more gun control see the state as a bellwether and have brought in top spokespersons and organizers. Thousands of Second Amendment advocates have blanketed the Capitol, and probably won the ground war, even though the pro-gun control forces brought in a host of stars led by Captain Mark Kelly (Giffords).
What Colorado does with final passage of the bills will establish much of the momentum for the gun control movement this year. Do all the bills pass, suggesting that 2013 is a special moment in time and Democrats, even in a battleground state, believe the issue is safe for the 2014 election?  If only a few pass, it will reinforce the more conventional view that gun control is a very tough issue, and in a moderate turnout election, some Democrats could lose. There will likely be some new legislation, but it will be hard fought and how much will control the story.

Senate gun bills:

Senate Bill 197:  Restricts firearms for domestic violence offenders
House Bill 1224:  Limits ammunition magazines to 15 rounds
Senate Bill 196:  Assesses liability for assault weapons
Senate Bill 195:  Bans online training for concealed handgun permits
House Bill 1229:  Requires universal background checks for gun sales and transfers
House Bill 1228:  Requires gun customers to pay the costs of their background checks
House Bill 1226:  Outlaws concealed-weapon permit holders from carrying on campus

Denver Post, Kurtis Lee, 3-8-13

“It’s more than likely members of these committees already had their minds made up going into testimony,” said political analyst Floyd Ciruli. “But when a final vote is on the line, there’s no going back from that vote, and minds could be swayed.”

“We’re the pinnacle platform for America’s gun discussion,” said Ciruli, who has followed politics for more than 30 years in Colorado. “Which legislation passes here and what fails could — and, in fact, will likely — set the benchmark for what’s to come.”