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http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36%7E61%7E1200119,00.html
Dem senator has key vote on gun bill
Measure might invalidate dozens of local control laws
By Julia C. Martinez
Denver Post Capitol Bureau
Monday, February 24, 2003 - The Colorado Senate is facing a shootout over a gun bill.
One senator - a Democrat - could help decide the fate of dozens of local gun laws across the state when he chooses sides.
Sen. Jim Isgar, a rancher who represents Hesperus in southwest Colorado, indicated late last week he would vote in favor of Senate Bill 25, if the bill's sponsor amends it to say that it will not impact concealed-weapons ordinances. But he was still wavering.
Bill sponsor Sen. Jim Dyer, R-Littleton, said he would accommodate Isgar's wish.
Bill opponents planned to step up the pressure on Isgar before the expected vote today to try to convince him that the legislation still would have a strong negative impact on local control. Even with a concealed-weapons amendment, they said, cities and counties would be stripped of their authority to regulate open carry, assault weapons and other restrictions.
The bill is designed to wipe out dozens of local gun ordinances, allow people to travel with guns in their cars and do away with gun registries like the ones kept by Denver and Colorado Springs.
It sparked furious debate in the corridors of the Capitol after it was presented as an amendment on the Senate floor last week.
"Based on my understanding of the bill, I've asked the sponsor to amend it and I will vote for it," said Isgar, a gun owner and hunter whose Senate District 6 is largely pro-gun. "The bill isn't saying local governments can't regulate. I know no bill is as clear as you think it is, but I'm OK with the three parts of the bill."
Republicans have been stymied for years in trying to loosen gun laws and are hoping that with a majority in both houses, they will succeed this year.
On Friday, Sen. Doug Lamborn, sponsor of the most controversial of two concealed-weapons-permit measures, said he will set aside his bill. "The political reality is a bill needs to be signed by the governor to become law," said Lamborn, R-Colorado Springs.
Gov. Bill Owens wants the legislature to pass statewide uniform standards for issuing concealed-handgun permits. But a bill must contain strict background checks, a ban against carrying guns in schools and a training requirement on the use of a weapon or he has said he won't sign it. Senate Bill 24 by Sen. Ken Chlouber, R-Leadville, contains all three of those provisions. Lamborn's SB 63 contains none of them.
In the narrowly divided Senate, where Republicans hold an 18-17 majority, Isgar's vote could make a huge difference if, as expected, two Republicans plan to vote against SB 25 and another Democrat, besides Isgar, votes in favor. Eighteen votes are needed to pass it. Late Friday, the votes were 17-17 without Isgar.
The two Republicans opposed to the bill are Sen. Lewis Entz and Sen. Ken Arnold. Entz, a potato farmer from Hooper, and Arnold, a former Colorado State Patrol major from Westminster, both are strong supporters of local control. Entz said Friday he planned to vote "no" on the bill.
Arnold said he also is a definite "no" vote on the gun bill. "After talking to my constituents, especially the cities and sheriffs and police departments, I really couldn't justify voting for the bill," Arnold said Friday.
The Democrat who has thrown his support behind Dyer's gun bill is Sen. Bob Hagedorn of Aurora.
Dyer said late Friday he was confident he had the 18 votes needed to pass it. But he indicated that Isgar's vote was key.
"I'm going to add (to the bill) that nothing will be construed to have anything to do with a sheriff's ability to issue a concealed-carry permit and I'll cite the statute," said Dyer, after meeting with Isgar. "I'm adding that at Sen. Isgar's request. Regardless of what Denver says, there will be the disclaimer in writing."
Dyer's bill has Denver authorities worried. A newly passed concealed-weapons law would force Denver to issue permits, which it rarely does now. Denver authorities are reconciling themselves to that likelihood, but they want to be able to regulate the type of guns carried, concealed or openly, and preserve laws like banning people from shooting in their backyards.
Dyer's bill would prevent Denver from doing that.
Owens said Friday he does not know if he would sign such a bill into law. If it clears the Senate, it is expected to pass the House before reaching the governor's desk.
All contents Copyright 2003 The Denver Post
