Boulder County Commissioners to introduce gun control ordinances

Jun. 30—The Boulder County Commissioners are set to introduce five proposed ordinances designed to address gun violence.

The new ordinances include a ban on the sale of assault weapons and the possession of "ghost guns", a 21-year age restriction for purchasing a firearm, a waiting period for purchasing a firearm and restrictions on carrying firearms in sensitive public areas.

The ordinance classifies "ghost guns" as unserialized and untraceable firearms that can be bought online and assembled at home, according to a release.

"In the first half of 2022 alone, our country has experienced 295 mass shootings, including the tragic murder of 19 schoolchildren and their teachers in Uvalde, Texas," said Board of Commissioners Vice-Chair Claire Levy in a statement. "But sadly gun violence is bigger than mass shootings, and includes injuries and deaths every day from domestic violence and suicide — both of which are more deadly when a firearm is used. We need to do everything we can to protect Boulder County residents from gun violence."

A first reading of the ordinances is scheduled for July 5. A second reading, including the opportunity for oral public comment, is scheduled for Aug. 2. Written comments should be submitted online by July 31.

The Commissioners this year declared June as Gun Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, and said at the beginning of the month it was working on drafting gun control ordinances.

"At the start of the month, the Board of Commissioners joined other communities across the country in declaring June to be Gun Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, and reiterated our long-standing commitment to the prevention of gun violence," said Board of Commissioners Chair Marta Loachamin in a statement. "While we will continue to support state and federal progress, we need to continue to take action at a local level to protect our communities."

Boulder County joins several cities and towns within the county — including Boulder, Louisville, Lafayette and Superior — in proposing gun control measures in the wake of more mass shootings across the country. Longmont has also instructed staff to examine possible gun control measures.

Colorado passed a law last year that permits local governments to enact ordinances governing the sale of firearms.

"Supporting Colorado Senate Bill 21-256 was a crucial step for Boulder County in removing the restrictions that prohibited us and other local jurisdictions from passing gun violence prevention ordinances," said Commissioner Matt Jones in a statement. "Thanks to the legislation's sponsors Boulder County legislators Senate President Steve Fenberg and Representative Edie Hooton, as well as the state legislators who voted in favor of it, we now have the power to make real change to prevent gun violence."

For more information and to leave a comment, visit bouldercounty.org/departments/commissioners/proposed-gun-violence-prevention-ordinances.