Colorado Moms Demand Action, Everytown Applaud Colorado Senate Committee for Advancing Extreme Risk Protection Order Bill

DENVER ― The Colorado chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today responded after the Colorado Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee voted to advance Extreme Risk Protection Order legislation. HB19-1177 would empower family members and law enforcement officers to ask a judge to temporarily suspend a person’s access to guns if there is documented evidence that the person poses a serious threat to themselves or others. In addition to its potential for preventing future mass shootings, this type of law has also been found effective in preventing firearm suicides.

“The list of states with this type of life-saving law on the books is growing, and for good reason,” said Erin Bertoli, volunteer leader with the Colorado chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “Law enforcement officers and family members are often the first people to spot warning signs when someone poses an extreme risk to other people or to himself. When someone poses a serious threat, they don’t need firearm access – they need help.”

Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund recently released new polling showing the vast majority of Coloradans — including 78 percent of gun owners — support the concept of Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) laws.

The poll of more than 1,000 registered voters was conducted by SurveyUSA on behalf of Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund. Among other findings, it found:

• 87 percent of respondents — including 78 percent of gun owners — support the concept of ERPO laws.
• Support for this includes clear majorities of both Democratic and Republican respondents: 83 percent of respondents who identify as strongly Republican support this policy, as do 97 percent of those who identify as strongly Democratic.

Fourteen states and Washington, D.C. have enacted Extreme Risk Protection Order Laws. More information about this type of legislation is available here.