APRIL 20, 1999 - LITTLETON, COLO.
House won't debate gun bill By Carl Hilliard
DENVER — Colorado House leaders on Wednesday refused to take up a bill denying firearms to juveniles, telling the organizer of the effort it "isn't the right time" to argue the issue.
House Minority Leader Ken Gordon, D-Denver, sought to amend the rules and bring back HB 1379, which would bar an individual from buying guns under false pretenses for people who wouldn't otherwise qualify.
The measure was sponsored by Rep. Richard Decker, R-Fountain. It was set aside and not acted upon formally last week, after the shootings at Columbine High School.
The "straw purchase" measure was another chance to do something about youth access to weapons, and Gordon said he felt the legislative session should not end "without doing something about youth access to weapons."
Gordon needed 44 votes to change the rules and bring the measure up for debate.
He recalled a shooting incident in Oregon, where a high school student had killed his parents, booby-trapped their home, and took a semi-automatic weapon to school to kill his classmates.
Gordon said his Democratic caucus members agreed not to amend the bill, should it be brought to the floor for full debate.
But without anyone addressing the measure, the move to change the rules was defeated, with only 25 members in favor of it, including all of the Democratic side of the aisle, plus Republican Bill Swenson of Longmont.
All opposing votes were cast by Republicans.
One disgruntled Democrat, Rep. Todd Saliman of Boulder, was dumbfounded. "Can you believe that?" he said. "This was the only chance we had to do something this session," he told reporters.
Later, Gordon said House Speaker Russell George, R-Rifle, and House Majority Leader Doug Dean, R-Colorado Springs, told him they did not believe it was the appropriate time to debate the bill, with funerals still being conducted for Columbine High victims, and memorial services still being scheduled.
"I've been trying to do things to prevent youth access to guns for year," said Gordon. "But now I'm told its inappropriate to discuss it. I'm much more than disappointed."
"We can do something about youth access to guns, and we should. It's not disrespectful to vote on a bill to keep teenagers from getting guns," he said.
In the wake of the shootings, numerous stories have been written about how the two youths believed responsible for the murderous spree, Eric Harris, 18, and Dylan Klebold, 17, may have obtained the firearms illegally after they were purchased by others.
Investigation into that aspect of the shootings is continuing.
Dean had withdrawn the major firearms bill, which would have eased the granting of concealed weapon permits. It was allowed to die quietly. Another Republican, Rep. Gary McPherson, R-Aurora, did the same with his bill to allow state regulations to override city and county weapons regulations.
Since his decision, Dean says he has been threatened by pro-and anti-gun advocates alike and his car and his wife's car have been vandalized.
At the time he withdrew his bill, Dean told reporters he feared his political career might be over, and since then he has said he may serve the final year of his current two-year term and not run again.
April 29, 1999
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BACKGROUND
Jefferson County sheriff's report Full index of the shooting News from the five days following the shootings Reconstruction of the shooting TimelineLocation the schoolFloorplanWeapons 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
With the recent rise in school violence, do you feel schools are still safe? vote here
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THE INVESTIGATION
Man pleads innocent to helping Columbine killers get weapons Relatives angry about handling of case Parents of Columbine killer seek to limit evidence access Investigators meet with Harris' parents CHS investigators focus on computers FBI investigator's son linked to case Killer reportedly took Luvox antidepressant Detectives question shooter's girlfriend Bombs found in cafeteria Portraits of the killers Killer's diary describes plot of hate |
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SCHOOL VIOLENCE
Teenager threatens classmates Students accused of plotting shooting 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
Time: Duo sought immortality Aftershocks continue to hit Columbine Columbine lawsuits multiply High schools' 'cult of the athlete' under scrutiny
Parents of Columbine shooters sued Columbine spurs interest in home schools Columbine healing fund raises $2.3 million CU frat shows support for Columbine 'Healing bear' arrives to help in Littleton Doctors: Guilt a normal reaction for survivors Media the message? Broomfield couple campaigns to 'Erase the Hate' What now? |
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GUNS AND LAW
Inaction on gun control could prompt ballot issues Democrats say they'll carry gun laws favored by Owens Owens says tougher laws wouldn't have prevented tragedy State senator plans to revive bill on concealed-handguns Despite pressure, more gun control measures unlikely Columbine dad lobbies Washington Senate passes more gun controls Columbine killers also wounded the NRA Senate rejects any new restrictions on gun-show sales
Gun control strife Leaders scrap gun bills Guns and legislatures |
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HOW TO HELP
A drive has been established to raise money for a memorial for 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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