Gov. John Hickenlooper on Wednesday made it clear that if a bill to repeal Colorado’s limit on ammunition magazines made it to his desk, the measure would be in trouble.
“It’s a very rare occasion that I say I will veto something (beforehand), but I would have real misgivings about signing something we know is going to make our state less safe and doesn’t offer any additional protections to our citizens,” he said.
In Colorado, a governor has three options on legislation: Sign it into law, veto it or let it become law without his signature.
Senate Bill 175, which repeals a 2013 law limiting magazines to 15 rounds, Monday and will pass the entire Senate with support from at least three Democrats. Although the bill has support from at least two Democrats in the Democratic-controlled House, it is expected to die in committee there. An identical House bill already has been killed.
The difference between the two bills is the Senate measure has Democratic co-sponsors.
“We’re not trying to take anyone’s guns away,” Hickenlooper said. “The magazine law — however many questions there are about how easy it is to enforce — makes our state safer.”
He spoke to Capitol reporters about a variety of topics about the progress of the session, which is halfway over.
Critics of the magazine limit say it’s unenforceable and infringes on law-abiding citizens.
Lynn Bartels: 303-954-5327, lbartels@denverpost.com or twitter.com/lynn_bartels
