Five proposed gun control-related ordinances will soon go before the city council that mirror similar laws passed in Boulder County and targeted by gun rights groups as unconstitutional.
The five ordinances were put on the table by Mayor Joan Peck at a study session Tuesday night. Councilors did not officially vote for the ordinances but voted to put all five on an upcoming council agenda for debate and a final decision.
There was no date set for a council vote.
“I will move them forward to debate the merit and substance at that time,” Councilor Aren Rodriguez said during the study session.
Councilor Marcia Martin voted against putting three of the ordinances to a vote and Tim Waters voted against two.
Peck said she wants the city to make a strong statement against gun violence through the ordinances. The council has had one open meeting about the proposed gun laws as well an executive session to consider the legal ramifications of the new laws.
“We’ve been watching the landscape,” Peck said. Boulder County and county municipalities have passed similar ordinances with gun rights groups filing suit on portions of the ordinances.
:”The court decisions … have been all over the place depending on different judges and different states,” Peck said. “We’ll see what happens.”
The proposed ordinances are:
- Banning open and concealed guns in sensitive areas. This would add preschools, daycare centers, playgrounds and toddler swimming pools to a list of sensitive areas in the city where weapons are banned. Councilors unanimously approved putting it up for a vote.
- Raising the minimum age to 21 to purchase a handgun in Longmont. Martin and Waters opposed moving it to a vote. Martin said residents can drive to Larimer and Weld counties to get a gun. “This will do nothing but complicate the lives of our public safety force,” Martin said.
- Requiring a 10-day waiting period to receive a gun purchased in Longmont. Martin and Waters both opposed putting it up for a vote.
- Banning the sale of unregistered “ghost guns” in Longmont. Martin was the dissenting vote.
- Requiring signage in local gun shops warning that unlocked storage of firearms would be a danger to children. Passed unanimously.
