Thread: 54 Colorado Sheriffs attack bad Anti-Gun Bills

54 Colorado Sheriffs attack bad Anti-Gun Bills

Added by Bill Bissell, Admin II on May 24, 2013 at 10:47am



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49F1u...layer_embedded

The Independence Institute held a press conference on May 17, 2013 announcing the lawsuit against the new anti-gun bills passed by the Colorado legislature and signed by Governor John Hickenlooper. The lead attorney is Dave Kopel.

Colorado sheriffs raise money to fund gun control fight

By Gazette (Colorado Springs, CO) May 29, 2013 12:25 pm

(File Photo)

Hundreds of people raised thousands of dollars in Colorado Springs on Tuesday night at a fundraiser in support of a lawsuit against new gun restrictions in Colorado.The fundraiser, held at the Freedom Financial Expo Center on North Nevada Avenue, drew more than 800 people and likely generated close to $15,000 in donations.

The event was hosted by the Independence Institute, a Denver-based public policy research organization that supports a lawsuit filed by 55 Colorado sheriffs who are challenging the new gun regulations as unconstitutional and a violation of the Second Amendment. An attorney for the Institute outlined legal arguments and strategy for the crowd.

Organizers raised about $8,000 at the door but collected thousands more inside, first with two separate auctions of a resolution passed by El Paso County commissioners Tuesday morning. The resolution calls House Bills 1224 and 1229 "vague" and "unenforceable."

The first auction of a framed resolution drew $1,000. The second auction of a resolution signed by county commissioners and three sheriffs who spoke at the event -- El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa, Weld County Sheriff John Cooke and Larimer County Sheriff Justin Smith -- fetched $2,000.

"This is a one-and-only," said El Paso County Commissioner Peggy Littleton, who served as the auctioneer.

"Someday you're going to look back and see that on your wall and say, 'Isn't that kind of like the Constitution or the Declaration of Independence on your wall right there?'" she said.

Cash continued to pour in when Douglas Bruce, an anti-tax activist who authored the Colorado Taxpayers' Bill of Rights, passed a basket around the room.

"I'm going to start off with $200 for the Second Amendment," Bruce said.

"I've never seen money actually pried out of Douglas' hands," joked Jon Caldara, president of the Independence Institute.

The basket was full of cash after the event, though it had not been counted yet. Amy Oliver Cooke, wife of Sheriff Cooke and executive vice president of the Independence Institute, said she estimated $15,000 had been raised altogether. Funds will go toward paying for litigation and for an education campaign, Caldara said.

Audience members continued to fork over money when Maketa started to give out 40 30-round magazines as raffle prizes.

One of the bills targeted by the sheriffs' lawsuit bans the sale or transfer of magazines that hold or can be converted to hold more than 15 rounds.

"I've been dreaming about the day I could give away 30-round magazines," Maketa said, generating laughter.

The event sparked criticism of Maketa beforehand after he directed the county to send an email to county employees about the fundraiser. County officials said the email didn't violate the law.

"The county attorney's office reviewed the information provided by the sheriff and found that distribution to county employees would not be in violation of any statutes," County Attorney Amy Folsom said in a statement.

The explanation doesn't sit well with Christy Le Lait, director of "A Whole Lot of People For John Morse." Le Lait said her organization, which opposes a recall effort of Morse, state senate president who spearheaded gun control legislation in Colorado, received emails from county employees who were concerned that it was illegal.

"If he thinks that's something available to him as a county employee, than that should be made available to all county employees who have an issue they care about," Le Lait said.
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