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| Rep. Dickey Lee Hullingworst, center, D-Boulder, shows House Minority Leader Mark Waller, left, R-Colorado Springs and Rep. Brian DelGrosso, R-Loveland, her whistle as the debate over gun control bills goes on at the Capitol in Denver on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013. |
DENVER (AP) -- Limits on the size of ammunition magazines and universal background checks passed the Colorado House on Monday, during a second day of emotional debates that has drawn attention from the White House as lawmakers try to address recent mass shootings.
The
bills were among four that the Democratic-controlled House passed amid
strong resistance from Republicans, who were joined by a few Democrats
to make some of the votes close.
The proposed
ammunition restrictions limit magazines to 15 rounds for firearms, and
eight for shotguns. Three Democrats joined all Republicans voting no on
the bill, but the proposal passed 34-31.
"Enough
is enough. I'm sick and tired of bloodshed," said Democratic Rep.
Rhonda Fields, a sponsor of the bill and representative of the district
where the shootings at an Aurora theater happened last summer. Fields'
son was also fatally shot in 2005.
Republicans
argued that the proposals restrict Second Amendment rights and won't
prevent mass shootings like the ones in Aurora and a Connecticut
elementary school.
"This bill will never keep evil people from doing evil things," said Republican Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg.
The
House also approved a bill requiring background checks on all gun
purchases, including those between private sellers and firearms bought
online.
Other proposals would ban concealed
firearms at colleges and stadiums, and another requires that gun
purchasers pay for their own background checks. Democrats eked out the
closest vote on the background check measure, which passed on a 33-32
vote.
Democratic Rep. Ed Vigil, who represents
rural southern Colorado, voted against the four bills, saying his
decision was rooted in the state's rugged history.
"This is part of our heritage. This is part of what it took to settle this land. I cannot turn my back on that," he said.
But
even though a few Democrats joined Republicans in voting no for the
bills, the Democrats' 37-28 advantage in the House gave them enough
leeway.
The Senate still needs to consider the
proposals. Democrats will need to be more unified in their support
there because their advantage is only 20-15. That means Republicans need
only three Democrats to join them to defeat the bills.
House
lawmakers began debating the bills Friday. Lawmakers debated for 12
hours before giving initial approval to the bills, setting up the final
recorded votes Monday. During the debate Friday, Vice President Joe
Biden called four Democrats, including two in moderate districts, to
solidify support for the measures.
Democratic
Rep. Dominick Moreno, who represents a district in suburban Denver, was
among the four lawmakers. He said Biden "emphasized the importance of
Colorado's role in shaping national policy around this issue."
Castle
Rock Republican Rep. Carole Murray brought up Biden's calls during
Monday's debate, saying she didn't appreciate "East-coast politicians"
trying to influence Colorado legislators.
Democratic
Gov. John Hickenlooper supports the expanded background checks, and
thinks gun buyers should pay for them. He also said he may support
limits on the size of magazines, if lawmakers agree to a number between
15 and 20. He said he hasn't decided whether to support banning
concealed firearms on campuses and stadiums.
Republicans say students should have the right to defend themselves.
"Do
not disarm our young adults in general and our young women in
particular on our college campuses in the name of a gun-free zone,"
Republican Rep. Jim Wilson said.
The gun debate highlights a fundamental philosophical difference between many Democrats and Republicans.
"I
resent the implication that unless we all arm ourselves we will not be
adequately protected," said Dickey Lee Hullinghorst, the Democrats'
leader in the House.
Republican Rep. Christ
Holbert became emotional while explaining his opposition to the bills.
He said he understood Fields cares about the bills, because of her
district and because her son was shot and killed in 2005.
"But
I care passionately about the United States Constitution and the
constitution of this state, and the oath that we have taken," Holbert
said.
