Why Pueblo Democratic lawmakers oppose a Colorado bill banning some 'assault' weapons

Pueblo’s Democratic legislators have opposed some gun control measures in their time so far in office, breaking with the majority of their party.

Representatives Tisha Mauro and Matt Martinez, as well as seven other Democrats, joined all of the Republicans in the House in voting against a bill banning some assault-style weapons in Colorado on April 14.

Here’s why Mauro and Martinez voted against the bill — and why Pueblo’s state senator also does not support the legislation in its current format.

What the bill would and wouldn't do

This bill, in its current format, would ban the purchase and sale of assault-style weapons and rapid-fire triggers in Colorado starting on July 1.

There are several exceptions, including for active-duty military and law enforcement.

The bill also does not apply to existing assault-style weapons but would prohibit selling or transferring ownership between people, except to an heir.

A federal assault-style weapon ban was in place between 1994 and 2004. Ten states and the District of Columbia currently have an assault-style weapon ban.

The bill’s sponsors in the House, Reps. Tim Hernández and Elisabeth Epps, are both Democrats representing parts of Denver. The bill text states that “uniquely lethal” assault weapons are “disproportionately” used in some of the most deadly mass shootings in the United States.

Several high-profile mass shootings have taken place in Colorado in the past 25 years, including at Columbine High School, a movie theater in Aurora, a King Soopers in Boulder, and a gay bar in Colorado Springs.

Why Mauro, Martinez oppose the bill

Martinez is from Monte Vista. His district includes some neighborhoods of Pueblo and most of the San Luis Valley.

The southern part of his district shares a border with New Mexico, which is one of the complaints he heard from constituents about the legislation, as New Mexico does not have a ban on these weapons.

Martinez also said in an interview that the bill is too broad and could ban too many non-assault weapons, such as some pistols that can be modified.

Martinez said that legislators should consider gun safety at the Capitol building itself. A Republican lawmaker from Monument recently left a loaded handgun unattended, which a janitor found in a bathroom. A bill to ban guns at the Capitol and schools was approved by the state Senate earlier this month; Martinez said he’s still undecided on how he’ll vote, depending on any amendments that might come.

Although he opposed the bill, Martinez said he’s “committed” to doing what he can as a state legislator to address gun violence.

“I still want to make sure that our communities are safe, that people feel safe, and that we're doing what we can on our level to address that,” Martinez said.

Mauro’s district represents much of the city of Pueblo and parts of Pueblo County.

She told the Chieftain she was concerned about how this bill could be effective and that it could negatively affect small businesses in Pueblo and southern Colorado, specifically firearm stores.

A database from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives shows that 38 firearms dealers are registered in Pueblo and Pueblo West.

Mauro said she heard from constituents on both sides of the issue, as guns are “very, very politically charged.”

“There's a balance of what will be effective in helping curb gun violence and make a difference to save lives … and also personal rights,” Mauro said. “It's tough, but you just kind of look at each bill individually and weigh the pros and cons.”

Bill faces uncertain future in the Senate

This bill is expected to face a trickier path in the Senate, the Colorado Sun reported.

Pueblo County state Sen. Nick Hinrichsen told the Chieftain that he does not support the bill as written.

Hinrichsen said that there are some elements of the bill that he supports — such as banning rapid-fire trigger devices and .50 caliber rifles — but overall, the bill has “arbitrary bans” on some types of assault-style weapons and weak enforcement.

He said that he would support amendments to reduce the list of banned firearms to those already prohibited at a federal level and strengthen enforcement mechanisms, then “take, I think, just about everything else out because the rest runs afoul of constitutional grounds and would not be effective.”

Some weapons that could be used in deadly shootings and have been in previous deadly events aren’t included in the bill, Hinrichsen said.

“I've been happy to co-sponsor legislation that I think will be effective and constitutional. And this (bill), in its current form, is just so far away from either of those,” Hinrichsen said.

He mentioned he supports several other gun control bills that are currently pending at the Colorado Legislature, including bolstering the Colorado Bureau of Investigation’s authority to investigate gun crimes and creating Colorado registration for firearms dealers.

Anna Lynn Winfrey covers politics at the Pueblo Chieftain. She can be reached at awinfrey@gannett.com. Please support local news at subscribe.chieftian.com.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Why Pueblo Democrats oppose a Colorado bill banning assault weapons