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Greater than 100 college students rallied on the Colorado Capitol on Thursday to indicate assist for a invoice that may ban the sale of semiautomatic firearms that may use removable magazines.
The rally was solely the second College students Demand Motion occasion at a U.S. statehouse, in response to organizers. The scholars deliberate all the day, together with conferences with lawmakers and Gov. Jared Polis’ administration.
The day was a technique to have pupil voices heard on faculty shootings and measures to deal with that risk, which they stated they stay with on a continuing foundation. They stated Senate Invoice 3 would make it more durable for somebody to commit a mass taking pictures.
“We actually do search for the exits in each classroom that we stroll into,” stated Cherry Creek Excessive College senior Kimaya Kini, 17. She stated she’d spent the week on the statehouse testifying on behalf of the laws and assembly with lawmakers, as a result of she and different college students stay in fixed concern.
Supporters say Senate Invoice 3, which cleared its first committee listening to on Tuesday, would assist implement the state’s 2013 ban on magazines that may maintain greater than 15 rounds.
The invoice would ban the manufacture, sale, buy, and switch of weapons which have removable magazines, together with shotguns and rifles. Requiring all weapons to have an hooked up journal would stop gun homeowners from shopping for high-capacity removable magazines in different states and utilizing them on appropriate weapons in Colorado. The invoice would solely have an effect on future gross sales. It might not forbid the possession of a firearm or require adjustments to weapons residents presently personal.
Opponents of the invoice say the measure would outlaw a big share of weapons out there and have argued it could impression a resident’s capacity to defend themself.
Earlier variations of one of these laws have failed in previous years.
Invoice sponsor state Sen. Tom Sullivan, a Centennial Democrat, joined the rally and stated he’s saddened and glad to see pupil activism on the Capitol. Sullivan’s son was one of many 12 folks killed within the 2012 Aurora theater taking pictures.
He instructed college students that they’ve lawmakers’ consideration within the constructing. “Be sure you use it,” he stated.
Mothers Demand Motion Government Director Angela Ferrell-Zabala, who confirmed as much as assist the scholars, stated she’s proud to see them taking a stance and {that a} document quantity are getting concerned by telling their tales. The nationwide Mothers Demand Motion group has sought to mobilize dad and mom and households to advocate for public security measures to guard folks from gun violence.
College students had been anticipated to fulfill with about 30 lawmakers all through the day, a listing that included largely Democratic lawmakers. College students additionally had been scheduled to talk with Colorado Home Speaker Julie McCluskie and Senate President James Coleman.
Stella Kaye, a 17-year-old East Excessive College senior, stated she deliberate to inform lawmakers this is a matter they need to care about even when they haven’t been impacted by gun violence. Kaye serves as East’s College students Demand Motion vice chairman.
She stated a part of why she advocates for gun violence measures is due to a number of shootings that occurred in her sophomore yr at East Excessive, together with a 2023 taking pictures on faculty grounds the place two directors had been wounded. She doesn’t need anybody else to face what her neighborhood has gone by, she stated.
“You see it on the information and suppose it might probably’t be me,” she stated. “After which at some point it turns into you.”
Jason Gonzales is a reporter protecting increased training and the Colorado legislature. Chalkbeat Colorado companions with Open Campus on increased training protection. Contact Jason at jgonzales@chalkbeat.org.