In what’s been the most polarizing of issues this legislative session, some bipartisanship may soon come about from the gun debate, as a bill that addresses mental health and guns is set to be unveiled.
The measure is championed by state Rep. Beth McCann, D-Denver, and is scheduled to be presented either Thursday or Friday. It’s the final gun measure from a package of bills Democrats have labeled as comprehensive “gun safety” proposals.
“It’s been drafted and is in final editing,” said McCann earlier in the week. “The bill is essentially designed to help keep guns out of the hands of people who shouldn’t have them.”
When Democrats held a news conference in early February, the bill was described as directing mental health professionals to notify the Colorado Bureau of Investigation if they conclude a person poses a danger of serious physical harm to themselves or others. Moreover, the bill is said to provide an opportunity to have gun rights restored to individuals through the courts should they be taken away due to having mental health issues.
Throughout the contentious debate over guns that’s occurred in both the House and Senate, Republicans have forcefully denounced the majority of Democratic gun legislation and said mental health is key to combating mass shootings like the one at an Aurora movie theater last July. Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper has also stressed the need for gun legislation that addresses mental health.
“I’m hoping we have bipartisanship on this,” McCann said.
Democrats in the House and Senate have already passed measures that limit ammunition magazines of more than 15 rounds and that require Coloradans to pay a fee for their own background checks when buying a gun. Both measures are now awaiting Hickenlooper’s signature to be signed into law.
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