COLORADO- A couple of weeks ago, Coloradans remembered one of the most tragic events in the state’s history, the shooting at Columbine High School in 1999.
With Tuesday’s shooting at STEM school in Highlands Ranch, there’s renewed discussion over the current state of gun laws in the state.
Since 1999, there have been a few changes when it comes to legislation- still people are calling on more changes.
In 2000, voters approved a ballot measure to require background checks for prospective buyers at gun shows, something considered a loophole in the law.
“Continuing to send thoughts and prayers aren’t changing anything it is the job of legislators to make laws that make us all safer,” said Jillian Freeland, a Democrat running for U.S. Congress in 2020.
In recent years at the state legislature, a few gun bills have failed to pass- including a controversial bill to arm public school teachers.
Supporters of tightening gun restrictions say there needs to be longer wait periods for firearms between purchase and background checks, as well as limiting the number of firearms purchased at one time.
Others say there needs to be more focus on mental health.
“We’re having a mental health crisis, we really need to start focusing on educating parents and teachers on how to ID a soon to be shooter in crisis,” said Representative Shane Sandridge (R- Colorado Springs).
