June 30, 2022
Boulder County Commissioners propose ordinances to address gun violence
Boulder County, Colo. -- Five new Boulder County ordinances will be introduced on Tuesday (July 5) as the Board of County Commissioners takes action to prevent gun violence. The ordinances, which will have their first reading at the Board’s Business Meeting, represent a multifaceted approach to reducing gun violence through bans on the sale of assault weapons and the possession of “ghost guns”, as well as an age-based restriction, a waiting period for purchasing a firearm, and restrictions on carrying firearms in sensitive public areas. “Ghost guns” are unserialized and untraceable firearms that can be bought online and assembled at home.
“At the start of the month, the Board of Commissioners joined other communities across the country in declaring June to be Gun Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, and reiterated our long-standing commitment to the prevention of gun violence,” said Board of Commissioners Chair Marta Loachamin. “While we will continue to support state and federal progress, we need to continue to take action at a local level to protect our communities.”
“In the first half of 2022 alone, our country has experienced 295 mass shootings, including the tragic murder of 19 schoolchildren and their teachers in Uvalde, Texas,” said Board of Commissioners Vice-Chair Claire Levy. “But sadly gun violence is bigger than mass shootings, and includes injuries and deaths every day from domestic violence and suicide – both of which are more deadly when a firearm is used. We need to do everything we can to protect Boulder County residents from gun violence.”
“Supporting Colorado Senate Bill 21-256 was a crucial step for Boulder County in removing the restrictions that prohibited us and other local jurisdictions from passing gun violence prevention ordinances,” said Commissioner Matt Jones. “Thanks to the legislation’s sponsors Boulder County legislators Senate President Steve Fenberg and Representative Edie Hooton, as well as the state legislators who voted in favor of it, we now have the power to make real change to prevent gun violence.”
The second reading of the ordinances, including the opportunity for oral public comment, is scheduled for August 2 at 3 pm. Written comments should be submitted online by July 31. Visit the county’s website for details and links to the draft ordinances.
If you have been affected by the reference to suicide, please contact Colorado Crisis Services any time of day or night by calling 1-844-493-8255 or texting “TALK” to 38255.
The following proposed local ordinances apply to unincorporated Boulder County:
Ordinance 2022-2 An Ordinance Prohibiting the Purchase of Firearms by Anyone Under the Age of Twenty-One
Ordinance 2022-3 An Ordinance Requiring a Waiting Period Prior to the Sale of Firearms; and Setting Forth Related Details
Ordinance 2022-4 An Ordinance Prohibiting the Carrying of Firearms in Sensitive Public Places
Ordinance 2022-5 An Ordinance Prohibiting the sale and purchase of Assault Weapons, Large Capacity Magazines, and Trigger Activators
Ordinance 2022-6 An Ordinance to Regulate the Possession of Unfinished Frames and Receivers, and Unserialized Firearms
