A controversial Colorado law banning ammunition magazines holding more than 15 rounds went into effect July 1. But despite an attempt by sheriffs from across the state to overturn it, a federal judge in Denver granted its continuance Wednesday.
Following the sheriffs’ request for a preliminary injunction on the law, the state Attorney General’s Office put forth a draft clarifying which magazines would qualify under the ban and which larger magazines would be grandfathered in. After both sides agreed to the language late Tuesday night, U.S. District Court Judge Marcia Krieger announced Wednesday “there is nothing further for this court to enjoin,” the Associated Press reported.
“We fixed two problems, two of the lesser problems on the bad law, and the core problem with the bad law is what we’ll be going to trial about,” said David Kopel, an attorney representing the sheriffs.
The aforementioned “core problem” is the sheriffs’ concern that the law is a violation of Second Amendment rights. When the lawsuit against the magazine ban was first filed in May, sheriffs in 55 of Colorado’s 64 counties said it would violate the right to keep and bear arms.
Controversies surrounding the magazine ban and other recently enacted Colorado gun laws haven’t just hit the state’s courts. In a state legislature where a recall election has never occurred, two Democratic senators — Senate President John Morse and Sen. Angela Giron — face potential recalls because of their support for gun control laws.
Additionally, two Colorado gun-parts manufacturers are threatening to move out of the state. Like gun manufacturers in Connecticut, Magpul Industries, a Colorado-based firearms accessories and magazine manufacturer, expressed intent to relocate if the magazine bill was signed. And with the federal judge’s refusal to block the ban, their efforts may become more serious.
According to Fox News, Magpul employs more than 200 people and generates roughly $85 billion in annual taxable revenues.
Nonetheless, proponents of gun control legislation celebrate Judge Krieger’s decision.
“Over the months and years ahead, these high-capacity magazines, whose only purpose is to kill large numbers of people in seconds, will be gradually removed from our streets and neighborhoods,” Tom Mauser, whose son was killed in the 1999 Columbine shootings, said.
