Colorado Emergency

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If you can’t beat them join ‘em, I think we need to take a cue from the liberal playbook and support candidates that we are sure can get elected in the next election cycle. The Republican Party has had some embarrassing moments in some recent elections. The mess with Tancredo cost us the Governors seat. All my liberal acquaintances had a good laugh over that and because of that stupidity we literally handed the seat to Hickenlooper on a silver platter, it was embarrassing.

Many were shocked at how far Colorado swung into the blue in the last election cycle, I’m speculating it was due in large part to the dope smokers…supporting the legalization of pot is what got them to the polls and they inevitably voted Democrat across the board. Of course the Dem’s realized this and capitalized on it as a way to build their base.

I’m not an advocate of pot legalization especially when kids are concerned, however I do take somewhat of a libertarian viewpoint that the war on drugs is a waste of resources. I look at it as more of a mental health issue.

If we are going to prevail in future elections we need to find minority’s who hold conservative values going forward and we are going to need to change our viewpoints on some core values before we can effectively take back some of these seats.

Previously I’ve never paid much attention to how laws were actually made, but being able to spend a few hours watching online while my ox was being gored was educational to say the least and one thing that was reinforced beyond any shadow of a doubt is that I will never, ever again trust the judgment and integrity of a Democrat in the future.

After reading this morning’s Denver Post article about this fiasco it’s clear what’s going on, we are a battleground state being used as an example for the direction they intend to take this nation, these ridiculous laws are just testing the waters and setting the stage for more draconian measures in the last vestige of the land of the free.

In my mind there is only one viable solution and that is a concerted and effective movement to remove these people from office, starting now. This is 1994 all over again and for starters we need to at least double the size of the NRA, 10 million strong would be a good starting point. It’s embarrassing that with something like 80 million or so gun owners we only have 4.5 million NRA members.
 
I was hoping that a good night’s sleep would soften my foul mood about this.

It didn’t.

In fact, the more I think about it, the more frustrated I get.

These laws are completely unenforceable, and even if they were enforceable, would do nothing to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals or the insane: perhaps the background checks on private sales COULD have helped, but that one is so poorly written that it will have no effect.

Nothing has been done to keep the guns out of the hands of known mentally deficient people (which would have stopped the Theater Shooting, and maybe even Newtown), and nothing has been done to try to reduce illegal trafficking of guns. All they have done is reduce the ability of law abiding citizens to protect themselves. In the case of the campus ban, the new law is outright dangerous, as it advertises to potential criminals that the students/teachers have no way of defending themselves. Gun Free Zone? How about Free Kill Zone. I am beyond frustrated, and for the first time in my life plan on getting actively involved in the next election.

To put a fine point on it, this has become personal. One of my daughters is attending CSU. When walking across campus late at night, she calls a friend she knows that has a conceal carry permit who escorts her to wherever she needs to go - safely. She is very petite (and attractive). She would have little to no chance of defending herself. So... this morning - I decided to try ONE Google search "CSU Campus Assault". First result - September 12 2012, attempted Sexual Assault. The second hit was the Campus Security report - showing far too many assaults, sexual assaults, burglary... etc. So now our esteemed politicians have ADVERTISED to all with criminal intent that any Colorado Campus is the happy hunting grounds. This law is not meaningless; it is dangerous. It makes MY daughter less safe, and that is personal.

For the first time in my life, I intend to be very active in the next election cycle. Sitting quietly on the sidelines while our state becomes Calirodo is not an acceptable course of action.
 
I am just thoroughly, and totally disgusted. I don't even know what to say.
 
milehigh, if you are not a member already I would strongly urge you to join the NRA as well as a gift membership for your daughter.

We need a strong female membership in the NRA, woman and minority shooters are growing in leaps and bounds and we need to get them involved.

In the meantime she can (maybe, not sure of the law or campus rules) carry pepper spray and learn some self defense techniques which is better then nothing.
 
I'll ask again: For those of us not from Colorado, are these laws proposed, or have they actually been passed into law?
 
They passed out of the house, next step is the state senate and then on to the Governor, if I understand the process correctly.
 
We only need 3 (D) Senators or 5 (D) Representatives to vote against to prevent any one of these from passing.

DO NOT GIVE UP NOW.

I spoke to my state Senator this morning, face to face, about the economic impact to my family, businesses, and the state.

House:

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Senate:

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We need people to write short, POLITE, and to the point letters that
they oppose these bills. Suggested reasons: economic, freedom,
personal interest, self defense.

I would STRONGLY recommend going after the ECONOMIC aspect of these bills, especially 1224.

Besides the highly publicized Magpul situation (approx 600 employees), easily double that amount of small business will leave, along with various professionals who just don't want to live in Co anymore.
 
The mess with Tancredo cost us the Governors seat. All my liberal acquaintances had a good laugh over that and because of that stupidity we literally handed the seat to Hickenlooper on a silver platter, it was embarrassing.

That's why we need to stay on Hick. He is not stupid, he knows that our split vote not only meant neither conservative candidate could win, but that many conservative voters just didn't bother. He is also well aware that these issues energize a base. Hand written letters are the way to go here, and lots of 'em. He needs to be reminded that there is NOT a mandate for this garbage. He knows how the large independent vote in this state works, which is why he didn't make any mention of gun control after the Aurora theatre, with elections just around the corner. People didn't feel that RKBA was at risk, and voted based on other issues. Hick needs to be told that we WON'T forget 2 and 4 years from now who attacked rights and sent jobs out of the state. He also needs to remember that there's not going to be another marijuana initiative on the ballot next time, and much of that liberal vote is going to be too lazy to go to the polls.

And please, people, let our battles here be a reminder that is can happen to you, too. There are plenty of states that aren't at risk right now, but remember, just a short decade ago we got a bunch of pro-gun legislation.

And Colorado residents, please don't forget about the FEDERAL battle. Keep writing those letters, too. Just because we have a GOP house does not mean the nation is safe, and it'll be more difficult to overturn federal laws than state laws.
 
Maybe we need to renew this thread with a new call to action for EVERYONE to right these Rep's even out of state folks?

Providing all those names and addressees?
 
Here are some example letters that I have already used.
Hello,

I moved to Fort Collins to work in high-tech 15 years ago. For the
last 10 years, the economy has not been great. Everyone has been
struggling to get by for some time.

However, there are a few areas of the economy that are GROWING. One
of those growth sectors is firearms. The Front Range has a
flourishing ecosystem of growing companies in the firearms industry.

In fact, I left my "stable" high-tech job in 2012 to pursue my own
business full-time. I am a small business owner living in Fort
Collins.

My companies are involved in competitive target shooting events,
training for citizens, police, and military, and MANUFACTURING.

My manufacturing company is 66% owned by Fort Collins residents!

The four gun bills under consideration - 1224, 1226, 1228, and 1229 -
are causing MASSIVE DISRUPTION to all aspects of our business
operations. Of these, the worst is 1224.

I'm sure you've heard of the situation with MAGPUL (based in Erie).

My company has a strategic partnership with MAGPUL. The economic
gains from this relationship are in jeopardy due to these gun bills.

If Colorado passes 1224, 1226, 1228, or 1229, we will be forced to
relocate our businesses, employees, prosperity, factories, families,
and households to other states.

Besides the highly publicised "600" jobs that Magpul ALONE would take
out of Colorado, businesses such as mine would easily comprise DOUBLE
that amount.

In these tough economic times, Colorado cannot afford to eject
thousands of people who are contributing to economic growth!

thank you for your time,
Zak Smith

My name is Zak Smith and I live in Fort Collins. I am a small
business owner in the firearms industry, involved in manufacturing,
firearms training and competitive shooting events.

I recently attended the Capitol to testify against HB-1224, 1226,
1228, and 1229. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, I was only
able to actually be heard on 1224, the magazine ban. Here are the
jist of my comments on that bill.

I moved to Colorado to start my professional career 15 years ago, and
I was immediately impressed by the friendliness of the people and
their affinity for freedom and personal responsiblity. Colorado has a
strong heritage of firearms use, in sport, hunting, competition, and
self defense.

The US Supreme Court has recently ruled that individuals have a right
to possess and use firearms for self defense, espeically those
firearms in common use and most suited for self defense.

The guns used by police, by citizens inside their homes, and carried
under Colorado's Concealed Handgun Permit program for self defense,
typically have a standard capacity of 12-30 rounds.

A magazine limit would impair the right to self defense. Such a limit
would also curtail lawful use of firearms that are already in common
use, used ubiquitously for self defense, target shooting, and for
other purposes.

This would seem to be in direct contradiction to the recent US Supreme
Court rulings. Limitations on such basic rights as those outlined in
the US Constition cannot be made simply to make a symbolic point or
because there is a feeling that "something must be done". Any measure
to curtail such rights must undergo the strictest scrutiny and
examination.

A Colorado ban on magazines will do nothing to aid public safety,
however, it will significantly curtail the ability of Colorado's
citizens to defend themselves.

Finally, the Front Range is home to a flourishing ecosystem of
firearms-related small businesses, ranging from manufacturing, to
research and development, to self-defense training, and competitive
shooting events. My own business is involved in several of these
areas.

I am one of the owners of a small manufacturing company that is
growing at a rate of doubling every 8 months. The company has a
facility in Cheyenne for arbitrary historical reasons; but two of the
three owners of the company and a third of its employees live in Fort
Collins or its surrounding areas.

Laws such as the proposed HB 1224 will create an unfriendly or
untenable environment for these business and they are likely to leave,
with their revenue, employees, and families. That would a shame
because Colorado is a great and beautiful state that I have been proud
to call home.

In addition, one of Colorado's most innovative and most successful
start-ups, Magpul Industries Corporation, based in Erie, would be
forced to leave the state if HB 1224 is passed.

As a resident and voter in Colorado, I am writing you today to urge
you to vote against:

* HB 13-1224 - Concerning Prohibiting Large-Capacity Ammunition
Magazines

* HB 13-1229 - Concerning Criminal Background Checks Performed
Pursuant To The Transfer Of A Firearm

* HB 13-1226 - Concerning Eliminating The Authority Of A Concealed
Handgun Permit Holder To Possess A Concealed Handgun On The Campus
Of An Institution of Higher Education

* HB 13-1228 - Concerning Requiring The Colorado Bureau Of
Investigation To Recoup The Cost Of Performing An Instant Criminal
Background Check Prior To The Transfer Of A Firearm

These proposed measures are “knee jerk” reactions that will not
contribute to the reduction of gun violence. These laws will not be
respected by criminals and will only impact the rights of lawful
citizens. I am frankly ashamed that Colorado has leveraged a tragedy
in another state to push these anti-gun bills.

Feel free to take snippets
 
Since our kids 'can't have them' isn't that potentially a viloation of search and siezure?

Colorado basically just said I can let a loved one inherit my rifle (with a background check and fees) but no standard capacity magazines to go with it.

I'm not done writing and calling. What a mess.
 
Unfortunately, the media is all over a threatening voice message left for Rep Joe Salazar. This does nothing to help the cause, it feeds the view the gun owners are violent nut cases. Its unfortunate.

Idiots like that certainly don't help us. Unfortunately, they are out there, on both sides (how many were calling for execution of NRA executives and members recently?).
 
Damn. Read the whole thread. Disgusted. The pol's comments on its lack of effectiveness was mind blowing. It's all about control. Keep fighting.
 
Zak: I was also at the meeting and heard you speak. I was standing on the north front side and spoke near the end about the ineffective way existing laws have been enforced and the lack of curiosity towards the impact of the psychotropic drugs on our youth. I looked for you afterwards but couldn't find you. I think Senator Kefalas got an eye opener but I have known him for about twenty years and don't expect him to stand up against the Democrat leadership.
 
Could some of the home-rule cities like Littleton or Colorado Springs go against the ban? Denver has no open carry, how about a home rule city saying "mags of any size and guns transferable without a background check." Colorado has 61 cities and 35 towns that are home rule municipalities.
 
I have sent emails now individually to all the reps. I have sent had written letters, which I am sure will arrive after the official vote in the house.

Today I am working contacting Senators and Hickenlooper.

There are also cell phone numbers for a few of the house reps on their web sites. I urge everyone to send text message or call. Facebook pages as well.

Please keep any contact with them professional.
 
I've let my few friends know in CO to do what they can to make sure you guys remain free.
 
I guess we know who are our enimies are. It is going to be a long up hill fight. We need to be real active politicaly and get these people voted out of office. Colorado made national news for gun restrictions today.
Semper Fi
 
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