In a recent ruling, a district court judge in Boulder determined that the city could no longer enforce its ban on assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines. This ban was implemented in 2018 in the wake of the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Just days before the judge’s decision, a gunman opened fire in a Boulder grocery store, resulting in the deaths of 10 individuals using a rifle. This incident marked the second mass shooting in less than a week.
The Ruling
On March 12, Boulder County District Judge Andrew Hartman ruled that a 2003 Colorado state law prohibits cities and counties from imposing restrictions on firearms that are otherwise legal under state and federal law. In his decision, Hartman emphasized that maintaining consistent regulations across the state aligns with the state’s interest in managing assault weapons. He cautioned that Boulder’s ban might lead other cities in Colorado to consider similar measures.
City Officials’ Response
City officials argued that the state constitution empowered them to implement such bans due to local concerns, asserting that the lack of state regulation on assault-style weapons necessitated their intervention. Dawn Reinfeld, co-founder of the Colorado gun violence prevention organization Blue Rising, expressed her outrage to the Washington Post, stating that the timing of the court’s ruling was “appalling” and distressing. “We endeavored to protect our city,” she lamented, “and it is tragic to witness the legislation overturned, only to have our community experience the very violence we sought to prevent.”
Historical Context
Since the Columbine High School shooting in 1999, which claimed the lives of 12 students and one teacher, North Central Colorado, including Boulder, has experienced nine school shootings. The 2012 Aurora theater shooting also resulted in 12 fatalities. These horrific events, along with the Parkland shooting, motivated Boulder officials to take action against mass shootings.
The 2018 Ordinance
The 2018 ordinance prohibited the possession, transfer, and sale of most shotguns and specific pistols and semiautomatic rifles with certain features, as well as large-capacity magazines defined as having a capacity of more than 10 rounds. A permit system was put in place for individuals who previously owned such firearms.
Aftermath of the Decision
Following Hartman’s decision to lift the ban, the National Rifle Association (NRA) expressed its support for the ruling. Just one day later, on March 13, city officials directed Boulder police to cease enforcing the ordinance. The grocery store shooting in Boulder occurred on March 22.
Advocacy for Gun Control
Colorado State Representative Tom Sullivan, who lost his son Alex in the Aurora theater shooting, has been an advocate for background checks and magazine restrictions in the statehouse. He pointed out, “Assault weapons contribute to the scale of mass shootings. They are responsible for the high number of rounds fired in theaters, schools, and places like Parkland.”
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Conclusion
In summary, a Boulder judge recently overturned a local ban on assault weapons that had been put in place after the 2018 Parkland shooting. The ruling has sparked discussions about gun regulation and public safety, especially following a recent mass shooting in Boulder. Advocates for gun violence prevention express concern over the implications of this decision, which could influence other cities in Colorado.