APRIL 20, 1999 - LITTLETON, COLO.
Leaders scrap gun bills
Majority Leader Doug Dean and family received "veiled threats"
By Carl Hilliard
Associated Press
DENVER — A barrage of telephone calls, e-mails and personal messages, all expressing horror at what happened at Columbine High School, prompted two legislative leaders to kill gun bills now progressing through the Legislature.
And a third bill, one headed for Gov. Bill Owens' desk, will be vetoed, the governor announced Wednesday.
The pressure-cooker atmosphere was focused on Majority Leader Doug Dean, R-Colorado Springs, sponsor of SB 84, which would have eased the process for granting concealed weapons permits.
"I'm pulling it," a distraught Dean told The Associated Press.
Some of the phone calls he and his family received contained "veiled threats," he said, and some of them suggested he was responsible for what happened at the high school.
Requesting that his bill not be acted upon means it will die when the General Assembly adjourns on May 5.
Dean and the bill's Senate sponsor, Sen. Ken Chlouber, R-Leadville, said they had met with Gov. Bill Owens to discuss their decision, and Owens had agreed with it.
Rep. Gary McPherson, R-Aurora, sponsor of a bill to let a state law override local ordinances on gun control, also said he is asking his measure be set aside and a conference committee's recommendations for changing the bill not be acted upon.
At a news conference late Wednesday afternoon, Owens said SB 205, limiting the ability of local governments to file lawsuits against gun manufacturers, will not pass into law.
He will veto it, he said, because he had been advised the state did not have the power to limit local government lawsuits.
McPherson, who opposed the way Denver in particular has regulated the carrying of weapons in automobiles, was obviously upset about the incidents that occurred at Columbine during the previous 24 hours.
His decision is "out of deference to the victims and their families. Now is not the time to have this debate."
"I'm glad that at least something good can come out of this tragedy," said Evie Hudak, public policy director for the state Parent Teachers Association. "What does it take to make someone see the light? Why do 15 children have to die?"
Dean's SB 84, simplifying the issuance of permits for concealed weapons, caused long, heated debate in several committees and on the Senate floor.
He and his bill were expected at the House Appropriations Committee early Wednesday morning, but the meeting was canceled. McPherson's bill was expected to be considered on Wednesday in the Senate.
Dean said his family had gotten lots of calls at his Colorado Springs home, and his wife had fielded many of them. Officials at his children's schools had been notified of the calls.
Chlouber also said he had gotten calls "from both sides."
"Our first responsibility is to the families and friends of the innocent victims of the senseless and lawless act at Columbine High School," Chlouber said. "Any action taken by the General Assembly on this emotionally charged issue would only add to the grief and anxiety experienced by all Coloradans today," he said.
"All members of the Colorado General Assembly join with us in expressing our heartfelt sympathy to all those affected by the events of April 20, 1999," Dean said.
April 22, 1999
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BACKGROUND
Full index of the shooting Reconstruction of the shooting Timeline Location the school Floorplan Weapons used
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AUDIO
'Friend of Mine' Listen to the Columbine Memorial song sung by Columbine students Jonathan and Stephen Cohen.
911 tapes
Interview with Arun Ghandi |
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PHOTOS
A Daily Camera photo essay detailed the tragedy of April 20 and the recovery and remembrance in the following weeks: photo essay
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INTERACT
In light of the shooting on April 20, should the state legislature allow people to carry concealed weapons? vote here
With the recent rise in school violence, do you feel schools are still safe? vote here
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THE INVESTIGATION
Gunmen paid for weapons, teenager claims CHS investigators focus on computers Investigators try to disprove third CHS shooter Man charged with selling handgun to child FBI investigator's son linked to case Agents creating models of Columbine Teen targeted by sheriff denies involvement in school attack Arrest in Columbine shooting Killer reportedly took Luvox antidepressant Officials no closer to arresting suspects Detectives question shooter's girlfriend Security videotapes at school may show whether gunmen had help Bombs found in cafeteria Portraits of the killers Killer's diary describes plot of hate |
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SCHOOL VIOLENCE
Violence in Georgia School violence stuns nation Teen wounds six fellow students Teens charged in alleged school attack plot Michigan teenagers charged in plot Other school shootings 1927 school bombing killed nearly 40 children Suspensions, arrests across country La. school site of another shooting Facts: Death in schools 'Blood in the School Yard', from the Cincinnati Post full series |
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REACTION
High schools' 'cult of the athlete' under scrutiny Parents of Columbine shooters sued Suit planned against parents of Columbine High shooters Columbine spurs interest in home schools Columbine healing fund raises $2.3 million Safe Night aims to curb youth violence CU frat shows support for Columbine 'Healing bear' arrives to help in Littleton Doctors: Guilt a normal reaction for survivors School security business surges Media the message? Broomfield couple campaigns to 'Erase the Hate' Clint Talbott - BVSD rejects dress code What now? Video of Clinton's Wednesday morning speech Video of Clinton's Tuesday speech
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GUNS AND LAW
GOP tinkers further with gun legislation Columbine dad lobbies Washington Group forms to back gun control Poll says two-thirds in U.S. support tougher restrictions on guns Senate passes more gun controls Columbine killers also wounded the NRA Senate rejects any new restrictions on gun-show sales Dems want special session Gun control strife House won't debate gun bill New gun laws on table Leaders scrap gun bills Guns and legislatures |
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HOW TO HELP
- The Denver Rocky Mountain News has established a drive to raise money for a memorial to the victims of the Columbine High School tragedy. Contributions may be mailed to the Columbine Memorial Fund, c/o The Jefferson Foundation, 809 Quail St., Building 1, Lakewood, CO 80215.
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