Pikes Peak Firearms Coalition

Questions

Anderson

Bremer

Crank

I made and kept my promise - that when I ran in 1994 for El Paso County Sheriff and once I was elected, in my first year in office alone, I personally signed more Concealed Handgun Permits (CHP) than all of the other 61 elected Sheriffs in the State of Colorado combined.  Under my direction, our CHP process became the model for the state, as well as other surrounding states, and my affirmation to the individual's right to keep and bear arms, as guaranteed in the Second Amendment.  My commitment to the voters helped change state law from a "may issue" to a "shall issue" law.

Although I would never support the harassing of any law abiding gun owners, I do support President George Bush in this program and believe that criminals who use guns in the commission of crimes should be aggressively prosecuted, even if the crimes are nonviolent.  Criminals, who use guns in the commission of criminal offenses, I believe, give the rest of us responsible law abiding gun owners a bad name and undeserving reputation.

But I will work to insure that the law is not used to harass law abiding citizens.

Also, I'm passionate about giving U.S. Service members full rights when they achieve 18 years of age.

The Second Amendment is clear the right shall not be infringed.  If old enough to serve in the military, old enough to possess firearms.

I have voted for such amendment in the legislature.

I've served and commanded soldiers who were less than 21 and were issued and trained on firearms without any problems.

I believe inter-state reciprocity is the logical next step to the CHP system that I personally instituted as your elected Sheriff.  As your elected Congressman I'll be in a position to continue on to the logical next step.

After signing over 4,000 CHP, I believe there should exist a process for issuing, denying, suspending, or revoking a CHP. I established and administered the largest CHP process in the State for eight years.  I believe in the analogy that you must first walk, then jog, and then run. In this case, walking is analogous to instituting a state-wide CHP system. As your two term elected Sheriff I "walked the walk" with my CHP initiatives and I'm prepared to pick up the pace (to jogging) as your elected Congressman. Fighting to achieve a Western States and then National CHP reciprocity are the logical next steps. (That said, there is no overwhelming evidence that I am aware of that articulates crimes being committed by citizens of Vermont or Alaska who carry a concealed firearm for self-defense, without a CHP, is any different than any other state by citizens with CHP - in both cases the numbers are almost insignificant.

I have voted for Vermont-style legislation in the legislature even against opposition.

I believe that the standard established in El Paso County can be used nationally.

Although I haven't read any federal studies and question the conclusion as to which group of law abiding people are more law abiding, permit holders or law enforcement personnel, I can say without question that based on my extensive (30-year) law enforcement career, and as a former certified NRA Police Firearms Instructor and father of a 2nd grader, I adamantly believe there must be "sterile" areas where weapons are prohibited.  These areas include some designated areas inside police facilities, jails, court rooms, hospital emergency rooms, and public schools.  I have several concerns about guns being permitted in schools; including the special training of the teacher/or adult bringing guns into the schools (e.g., can the weapon be physically taken or stolen from a teachers desk or purse?). Then there's the risk of a student being a shooting victim of an accidental discharge (AD), or someone being mistaken as a threat or friendly fire incident, i.e., uniform police officers responding to a "man with a gun" call at a school. Schools are unfortunately by their very nature, filled with young people experiencing a variety of emotions, including homicide and suicide. In a police career that spanned three decades in this community, I have stood at many crime scenes of young victims of suicide who may have survived their act has a firearms not been so readily accessible, Introducing firearms into sterile areas, including schools, is a bad idea.

My concealed carry bill in 2003 (which ultimately did not pass) had no such school prohibition.

and I hope for the day when the liberal is educated to the point where they can fully comprehend this issue (and then the issue goes away). It is not the appearance of the weapon that concerns me, but the intent of the individual.

Such laws have not kept a single gun out of the hands of criminals. They will get guns they need to commit crimes. Law abiding citizens are the only ones inconvenienced by such laws.

Absolutely not. This would be equivalent to General Motors or Ford being held liable for a DUI driver causing a traffic accident. In my 30-year law enforcement career I never once saw a firearm (or it's manufacturer) charged criminally for an act committed by a criminal with a gun. The same logic should apply to civil cases.

Legal reform has to be a priority. We need tort reform and liability reform to protect manufactures of legal products like firearms.

I have voted for such legislation in the legislature - which exempts gun manufacturers from this type of liability.

As the Sheriff who issued thousands of CHP in my two terms in Office. I maintained separate databases. We have enough "marginally accurate" databases today and the temptation to sell the data to a third party could become too tempting for some weak-minded people. Gun owners. CHP holders. and such databases must be tightly controlled and kept distinct: otherwise all our 2nd Amendment rights are at risk and should we lose that Right - all our other rights potentially become indefensible.

Gun owners are not criminals. Government should never even have data about who owns firearms, let alone mix their names with criminals.

I have opposed such registries in the legislature.  My concealed carry bill (see above) had no such registry.

This is actually the toughest question for me. I have several extremely sentimental firearms. For example. I still own and cherish my first revolver (S&W model 19 357 magnum) that was handed to me the day I was sworn in as a new police recruit in 1975. That weapon was later replaced for duty by an autoloader (S& W model 659 9mm) and it was awarded to me upon my retirement from the Colorado Springs Police Department. And when I retired as your Sheriff. my duty weapon at the time. a 40 cal Glock was retired with me ­and I have my first 22 rifle. a Christmas gift from my step-father when I was in the 4th grade. a Walther PPKS .380. my first off duty weapon. and I could go on. In my Last Will & Testament I am donating several prized firearms from my personal collection to a museum to be preserved indefinitely.

I don't really like them. I just use them. My handgun is a Glock 9mm. I have used a 30-30 but currently have a 30-06. I guess my favorite is my Daisy air rifle.

A Remington 25.06 bolt action that I own. Shoots flat and fast for deer and antelope hunting.

No single favorite.

The M-16 I fired as a second Lieutenant.

Although I would support an instant check that gives the purchaser the benefit of the doubt and by the end of the transaction. Measured in minutes. If nothing has been returned that prevents the transaction from taking place. The purchaser walks out the door with their firearm. I also would strongly support a law that acknowledges all CHP holders in Colorado as being exempt from any fees associated with a background check. This would mean a financial payback for individuals who can produce a valid CHP at the time of the purchase and I know from experience that the background checks associated with a CHP applicant is many times more through than the current "instant" Colorado background check.

Has not stopped a criminal from getting firearms - just inconvenienced law-abiding citizens.

Only new purchases. And those individual that wish to voluntarily register their firearms (and there exist people who wish to do this) should be accommodated by law enforcement agencies. I own several unregistered firearms, we all should.

Never. It is a Constitutional right.

Absolutely not otherwise I might inadvertently become a criminal.

Number would simply be arbitrary and not stop criminals from getting guns.

I think the limit should be whatever you can afford, and/or however many you can talk your spouse into letting you buy.

None of the government's business.

States or municipalities do not have a right to overrule a Constitutional right.

I voted for SB-25 and co-sponsored it.

I believe the NRA has it right when they defined the ARMS mnemonic to prioritize the importance of firearms traits. The NRA teaches that "Accessibility" is more important than "Reliability", "Marksmanship", and "Speed" (ARMS).

Families must responsibly store firearms but must make that decision themselves. Laws cannot infringe on the rights of families or individuals to defend themselves.

I have opposed this kind of law by voting against it.

RIVERA: YES. Restrictions on law abiding citizens between the ages of 18 to 20 to own weapons.

Especially for hunting as it helps control our wildlife.

As a lifetime hunter in Colorado, access to land is a growing problem. We need to open more Federal lands to hunting.

In effect, Colorado Springs code allows one to "menace" an aggressor to protect one's self, family, or property.  Would you support a change to the Colorado State law so that it more closely parallels Colorado Springs law and would allow the presentation of a firearm as a less than lethal show of force to protect one's self, family, or property?

Although I believe the use of the word "menace" is improperly use here; as a police officer and as someone who trained police officers professionally. The use of force, including deadly force, is appropriately recognized as a "continuum". Time and circumstances permitting, the display of a firearm, or even the presentation of a firearm (along with an occasional verbal command) may bring about the same desirable outcome to a potentially deadly encounter, namely that a law abiding citizen does not have to become a victim. An actual case was shared with me by an unnamed CHP holder who told me of an incident where he and his family were exiting a movie theater in Colorado Springs one evening and as the were walking to their car at the end of the parking lot. A group of 3-4 rowdy young teenagers began to approach he and his wife and their daughter. The CHP holder simply pulled his jacket aside, placed his hand on the pistol grips, unsnapped the thumb-break and asked the boys if they really wanted to, "Go there". The young men apologized and backed away quickly explaining they thought he was someone else (right, like an unarmed citizen!).

Citizens should have the right to protect themselves.

However, I will point out, this not a 2nd Amendment issue. In an attempt to settle this issue again, let me explain that the City of Colorado Springs Police Department at one time did sell confiscated firearms (I know I purchased several). They then changed their policy to destroy all confiscated firearms (I know, I witness the destruction of many firearms). The exceptions are firearms of significant historical or monetary value, which are donated to the City Pioneers Museum (I know, I transferred possession of a few). The City of Colorado Springs leads several joint task forces; such as the Metro, Vice, Narcotics and Intelligence Unit (Metro VNI). As participants in these joint units, member agencies (Fountain PD, El Paso County Sheriff's Office. etc.) sign a memoriam of understanding (MOU) whereby various policies are agreed upon to include the disposition of firearms seized in criminal offenses (such as drug trafficking). Additionally, several firearms are "court ordered" to be destroyed based various circumstances (including at the request of the owner). When I became the Sheriff, I researched this issue and adopted the same policy. I found that of the handful of seized weapons per year (maybe 10-12 on the average) several were "Saturday night specials" (e.g. Raven Arms P25s) and of no real resale value ($35 to $50 at auction), plus the cost of conducting the sale of confiscated firearms off-set any revenues brought in by the sale of these few firearms. I also believed the potential risk of litigation. and the public perception of weapons being sold from a police evidence facility and later used in the commission of a violent crime, was an unnecessary litigation risk to the County. The number and quality of firearms actually affected by this issue is miniscule when compared to similar issues at the federal level. I believe, for example the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) where superior firearms, such as the M1 Garand housed in large numbers inside US Army Depot Storage facilities, should be made available for purchase to US Citizens and not destroyed.

I will sponsor legislation that would sell this property like any other.

I believe that decision should be left to the local governing body.

Firearms used for the lawful defense of oneself or their family. should not be confiscated.

New Orleans police exceed their constitutional authority. Thank God for the NRA action in this case.

RIVERA: While in the Army I enjoyed my training at the range with the M-16 rifle and the .45 caliber pistol. My most memorable training was firing the 50 caliber machine gun and one time experiencing firing a round in the M60A1 tank.

RIVERA: I have defended second amendment rights since I was elected to City Council in 1997. I will continue to do so as your congressman.

Questions

Fawcett

Imrie

YES

There is not enough information here or on your web site to answer this question.

Imrie:

However, I would eliminate any redundant requirements.

Gun owners must still act responsibly with storage and use.

Imrie:

In effect, Colorado Springs code allows one to "menace" an aggressor to protect one's self, family, or property.  Would you support a change to the Colorado State law so that it more closely parallels Colorado Springs law and would allow the presentation of a firearm as a less than lethal show of force to protect one's self, family, or property?

Imrie: