Colorado: Ballot Initiative Proposed To Repeal The Idiotic Magazine Ban

[mrvco]

I assume that this will not be the only 2A related ballot initiative.

What is the process for reconciling multiple initiatives?... especially if you have a specific initiative like this one and a broader initiative like the one suggested to not allow the state to be more 2A restrictive than the Feds.

 

[SaxonPig]

The ballot initiative is really the only way the people can have their say. I wish all states (and the U.S. as a whole) allowed for initiatives.

Good luck.

 

[BearGriz]

+1 on this being great for getting 2nd amendment voters to turn out.

Even polls and articles that show 2nd amendment supporters to be in the minority (depending on the demographic/state, political climate when the question was asked, and definitely depending on the way the question was asked!), these same studies also show that we are formidable in other ways.

We are likely to be single-issue voters who have the memories of elephants. Overall those who support gun rights feel much more strongly about gun rights than those who support gun restrictions feel about gun restrictions. Elections are often about turnout, and depending on your location, you could win an election with 30% of the population supporting your initiative, but with all of that 30% turning out.

 

[Grassman]

Contact the Colorado governor.

http://www.colorado.gov/govhdir/requests/opinion-leg.html

 

[MErl]

contacting Hick has always been useless. These will be law, time to start the next steps. He'll probably wait for the one that went to committee and sign them all at once though.

Is there more detail on how this ballot will work? how signatures will be collected? I'll be happy to help collect them.

 

[Coltdriver]

Zak has it right.

There is a lot of energy out there right now. Two recall petitions have been initiated. I am pitching in to go get signatures in Colorado Springs.

The other recall petition is in Durango.

It is also relatively easy to get proposed changes to our constitution on the ballot.

We will see what happens.

 

[mrvco]

contacting Hick has always been useless. These will be law, time to start the next steps. He'll probably wait for the one that went to committee and sign them all at once though.

Is there more detail on how this ballot will work? how signatures will be collected? I'll be happy to help collect them.

I got a note back from one of his staffers saying that the governor doesn't write the legislation, he just signs it. And if I have a problem with the legislation that I should contact the bill's sponsors :banghead:

 

[ThorinNNY]

Hope you folks in Colorado can defeat those magazine restrictions. We`re trying hard to repeal, not amend the NY (un) SAFE act here in NY.

 

[LiveLife]

Be prepared for a long fight

Fight?

This is WAR!

 

[MachIVshooter]

I'm sure my perception is a bit biased, given my circles and location, but even considering that, I would say that Coloradoans are just plain pissed. I have never seen this much energy, this much fury over legislative activity.

I think in a couple years, a decent number of Democrats will be able to tell you what it feels like to stick your head in the hornet's nest.

 

[Justin]

Here's a link to a copy of the proposed ballot initiative:

http://putittothepeople.blogspot.com/

MAR
13
No Ammo Restrictions

Proposed Constitutional Amendment for the State of Colorado
To Establish a Right of the People to Purchase and Possess
High Capacity Ammunition Storage and Feeding Devices
To be Numbered as Article II, Section 32


Be it Enacted by the people of the state of Colorado:


Preamble


WHEREAS, the people of the state of Colorado previously held the right to purchase and possess ammunition storage and feeding devices without limitation or restriction with regards to size and capacity; and


WHEREAS, a “grandfather clause” in the state of Colorado legislation HB1224 exempts existing owners of high capacity ammunition storage and feeding devices to continuously possess these devices after the July 1, 2013 effective date; and


WHEREAS, state of Colorado legislation HB1224 is effectively unenforceable due to inconsistent national laws and lack of control features in the manufacture of such devices in other jurisdictions; now therefore


In the constitution of the state of Colorado, Article II, add section (32) as follows:


Section 32. Gun Magazines – no limitation or restriction

No law, except by a vote of the people, shall restrict or limit the right of the people to purchase and/or possess ammunition storage and feeding devices of any size or capacity.


from and after the date of the official declaration of the vote by proclamation of the governor, but not later than thirty days after the votes have been canvassed by the secretary of state.

Note that this wouldn't necessarily repeal the law, but it would require any magazine capacity limitations to be put to a public vote.

It's not as hard line as I would like, but at this point I'm all for anything that will take the teeth out of 1224.

 

[Rio Laxas]

I wonder why they didn't just word it to preclude any magazine restrictions at all. Will it really garner that much more popular support by leaving it open to future magazine restriction ballot initiatives?

 

[John3921]

Couple random thoughts - I think it's good that the mfg's in the area have let their views be known - OTOH - it could backfire. If everyone pulls out then whats left are anti's. State is gone for good.

I wonder if those of us in other areas can help out shooters in the afflicted zones. I'm thinking of magazine swaps or something. Lets say I have a couple 15 round mags for my handgun - and someone in CO has a couple similar condition 18's they need to get rid of to be compliant. Instead of glutting the market on fleabay and possibly taking a bath on the sale - maybe we could set up a swap site? I'll trade you straight across my 2 15's for your 2 18's, for example.

 

[CoRoMo]

I wish the wording was simpler, I wish it directly nullified 1224, and I wish it didn't leave the door open for ballot initiatives to amend out state constitution with gun control.

I expect there will be some gun owners, however few, that would vote 'NO' to that initiative for whatever reasons.

 

[Zak Smith]

That initiative seems like it addresses the future.. we could have an additional one to change the status quo

 

[Kiln]

The problem is that in lots of deep blue states and large cities, people generally favor gun control.

Why? Because they're constantly told by politicians and news outlets that gun control is making them safer.

Gun buybacks are getting guns off the streets, magazine capacities are limiting the damage of drive by shootings, assault weapons bans are helping take dangerous weapons out of the hands of gangs. Those are all the sort of things you'll hear from news agencies in California and New York.

 

[jrdolall]

There are a HUGE number of people who are pro-gun but really don't see a "need" for assault rifles and 30 round magazines. It has become a necessity for one-on-one training to let people know what is going on because they only know what they see on TV. I have been successful in changing the minds of at least 5 people who believed this way but i failed with one who just could see no real "need" for a 100 round drum.

We are all guilty of thinking that because a person owns a gun they believe we should have the right to own whatever we want. I guess we could wait until they hear the truth from MSNBC or CNN.

 

[MRH]

My personal opinion is that a ballot measure would spell doom for firearms and hunting in Colorado. The majority of voters are in the Denver Metro area. They are anti-gun and anti-hunting. Take for example their vote to dictate to the Division of Wildlife (now Parks and Wildlife) on how to manage hunting of Lions and Bears in the state. The result has been a decimation of the deer population. I fear that all our gun rights will disappear if put to their vote.

I would really prefer to have more conservative people in our legislature. The way to do that is recall the anti-gun rascals now in position, and elect the ones who will protect our rights.

Mike

 

[ASCTLC]

You know, there's a butt load of anger over the mag limit bill but HB1229 has the roots to confiscation! Guys, I don't like that limit on mag capacity either but while they dangle that off to the side we have mandatory documentation being shoved down our throats with the universal registration bill. Your purchases are being recorded for the govt to use against you. Who the hell cares if it's not the Fed govt that is keeping those records?? The states are doing it for them and now CO is going to ensure no gun gets by being documented.

I'll practice harder to mitigate the mag capacity ban but there isn't squat I can do to overcome the registration documentation about to be captured.

I'm frustrated at the concerted focus on the lesser of the evils being shoved upon us...

Andy

 

[MErl]

we're pissed at 1229 too but don't know that the final form will be. That one also has much wider support, even among gun owners.

 

[Arbo]

You know, there's a butt load of anger over the mag limit bill but HB1229 has the roots to confiscation! Guys, I don't like that limit on mag capacity either but while they dangle that off to the side we have mandatory documentation being shoved down our throats with the universal registration bill. Your purchases are being recorded for the govt to use against you. Who the hell cares if it's not the Fed govt that is keeping those records?? The states are doing it for them and now CO is going to ensure no gun gets by being documented.

I'll practice harder to mitigate the mag capacity ban but there isn't squat I can do to overcome the registration documentation about to be captured.

I'm frustrated at the concerted focus on the lesser of the evils being shoved upon us...

Andy

They don't really know who has what now... so as people who own guns continue to sell and trade amongst others they have been shooting with for years, the government isn't going to have a clue.

1229, for the most part is totally unenforceable.

 

[MRH]

The proposed CO initiative does not address transfer of magazines. HB 1224 would still prohibit the transfer of a magazine you possessed. You could own it, but it dies with you.

I suggested an amendment for HB 1224 to have a phrase allowing transfer of magazines (either by sale to someone, or as a bona fide gift to go along with guns transferred to relatives). That did not get anywhere.


Mike