Statement of Senators Court and Pettersen on Second Reading Passage of Life-Saving Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) Legislation
March 22, 2019
Denver, CO -- After nearly 12 hours of debate, the Colorado State Senate today voted to advance HB19-1177, Extreme Risk Protection Orders, a bill sponsored by Senators Lois Court (D-Denver) and Brittany Pettersen (D-Lakewood) that will protect Coloradans and save lives by creating a way to act before warning signs escalate into tragedies, to a third and final reading in the Senate. In response, Senators Court and Pettersen released the following statements:
“Extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) will save lives by keeping firearms out of the hands of people who are at risk of harming themselves and others,” said Senator Court. “Despite obstructionist tactics deployed by Republicans to slow down the process after hours of debate, we were able to move this life-saving legislation forward. The goal for Republicans has never been to develop good policy, it has been to obstruct the legislative process. But Democrats are here to do the work, and I am confident this valuable legislation will become law.”
“While we were debating this life-saving legislation, I was devastated to find out that a Parkland survivor recently took her own life. It is unacceptable to continue to do nothing,” said Senator Petterson. “I grew up in Colorado, I was at Chatfield High School when the Columbine shooting happened, my brother took his own life, and I am sick of seeing gun-related tragedy after gun-related tragedy. This legislation will save lives and I am proud that we are one step closer to it become law.”
For more information about HB19-1177, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb19-1177.
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