As of November, around 622 mass shootings were recorded, according to Forbes. These shootings prompted several gun control conversations at all levels of government, including Longmont City Council.
Municipalities throughout Boulder County looked to change their gun policies after 21 people — including 19 students — lost their lives in a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
Longmont City Council proposed gun measures to include:
- Banning the open carrying of weapons in the city.
- Enforcing a 10-day waiting period after the purchase of a firearm.
- Being 21-years-of-age before the purchase of any firearm.
- Prohibiting the sale of unserialized firearms or “ghost guns.”
- Signage on buildings reminding people about an open carry ban.
The council also vowed to consider the issue from both sides.
The debate on whether these measures were right for the community were further complicated as the town of Superior and Boulder County passed similar legislation and found themselves in lawsuits.
In October, the lawsuits from the cities of Boulder, Louisville, Superior and Boulder County were consolidated into a single lawsuit. Each governing body agreed to stop enforcing their respective measures temporarily as part of the consolidation terms.
The preliminary hearing for the combined lawsuit will begin early in January.
Longmont City Council decided in November to delay making a decision on gun ordinances until 2023.
The delay was proposed by Councilmember Marcia Martin. Martin said the Colorado Legislature was slated to take up the gun control topic during its 2023 regular session. The council agreed to wait to see what the state decided before moving forward with its own measures.
Additionally, the council is hoping the results of the pending lawsuit will be available and the combined decisions will better guide the council.
Mayor Joan Peck — who proposed the ordinances in October — voted against postponing the council’s decision.
