A Boulder district court judge has recently ruled against the city’s ban on assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines, a measure that was implemented in 2018 following the tragic school shooting in Parkland, Florida. The ruling came just days after a gunman used a rifle to kill ten individuals in a Boulder grocery store, marking the second mass shooting in less than a week.
Judge’s Ruling
On March 12, Judge Andrew Hartman stated that a 2003 Colorado state law prohibits cities and counties from enforcing restrictions on firearms that are legal under both federal and state regulations. In his decision, Hartman emphasized the importance of statewide uniformity, cautioning that Boulder’s ordinance might encourage other municipalities in Colorado to enact similar bans.
City’s Argument
The city of Boulder contended that it had the authority to implement such bans based on local concerns, arguing that it was necessary due to the lack of state regulation on assault-style weapons. Dawn Reinfeld, co-founder of a Colorado gun violence prevention group, expressed her dismay at the timing of the court’s decision, calling it “appalling” and emphasizing the tragic irony of the city experiencing exactly what they aimed to prevent.
Historical Context
North Central Colorado, which encompasses Boulder, has faced multiple school shootings since the Columbine tragedy in 1999, along with a notable 2012 theater shooting in Aurora. These incidents, alongside the Parkland shooting, motivated Boulder officials to take action against gun violence.
Details of the 2018 Legislation
The 2018 legislation prohibited the possession, sale, and transfer of various shotguns, certain pistols, and semiautomatic rifles with specific features, as well as large-capacity magazines defined as capable of holding more than ten rounds. A permit system was also established for individuals who owned such firearms prior to the ban.
Reactions to the Ruling
In the wake of Hartman’s ruling, the NRA publicly endorsed the decision, and Boulder city officials promptly instructed police to cease enforcement of the ban the day after the ruling. The mass shooting in Boulder occurred on March 22.
Advocacy for Gun Control
State Representative Tom Sullivan, who became an advocate for gun control after losing his son in the Aurora theater shooting, remarked on the role of assault weapons in mass shootings: “They put the ‘mass’ in ‘shootings.’ That’s what inflates the numbers.”
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Summary
A Boulder judge has lifted a ban on assault weapons that was enacted after the 2018 Parkland shooting, citing a state law that prevents local restrictions on legal firearms. This ruling comes in the wake of a recent mass shooting in Boulder, raising concerns about gun violence in the region. Advocates for gun control express frustration and sorrow over the timing of the decision, highlighting the ongoing struggle for stricter gun regulations.
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Keywords: Boulder, assault weapons, gun control, mass shooting, Judge Andrew Hartman, Colorado law, gun violence prevention.