At least two Colorado sheriffs say they will not enforce new gun regulations passed by the Democrat-dominated Legislature last week, if the governor signs them into law.
By most accounts, Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper will sign the measures, which include expanded background checks and limits on the magazine ammunition, Fox News says. The sheriffs’ complaints: “They’re feel-good, knee-jerk reactions that are unenforceable,” said Weld County Sheriff John Cooke in a Newser report.
Sheriff Cooke scoffed that $10 background checks would keep citizens safe. Criminals can still get guns, he said in a Greeley Tribune report.
A second sheriff says limits on ammunition magazines — the proposal that passed limits rounds to 15 — is similarly unnecessary, Newser says. The sheriff says it’s impossible to separate which magazines would be legal — those sold before the law’s enactment date of July 1 — from those that would be illegal — those sold after the law’s enactment date.
The Denver Post says manufacturers will have to stamp dates on their magazines, but Republicans in the state still opposed the measure.
“It does zero to enhance public safety,” said Republican state Rep. Mark Waller, House minority leader, in a Newser report. “We’re saying Coloradans can’t own these magazines, but they can still be manufactured here? We can sell these magazines to other states, but hold on, when it comes to owning one, the answer is no. It’s hypocritical.”
SPECIAL COVERAGE: Second Amendment & Gun Control
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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