5 The Sentinel 5
July 18, 2013
Deal reached on two gun issues
Lawsuit still remains a outhchallenge to new statutes s in-
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rket.By Vic Vela hadvvela@ourcoloradonews.com ities, ppor- It’s pretty rare when both sides of a gunht incontrol debate — much less a lawsuit —
walk away happy. vege- But that’s what happened recently, afg do-ter parties who asedare tangled in a
lawsuit over ree thecently instituted ownColorado gun
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Capitol Report
of contention. The agreement was limited to clarifying language having to do with limits on gun ammunition magazines and whether gun owners could allow anyone besides themselves to handle those magazines. The agreement had nothing to do with the meat that’s left in the lawsuit, which
deals with whether the gun laws — which were passed by the Democrat-controlled Legislature and signed into law by Gov. John Hickenlooper earlier this year — violate the Second Amendment. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit against Hickenlooper — which are made up of gun-rights groups that include 55 county sheriffs — were set to ask a federal judge on July 10 to block parts of the gun laws, specifically one that limits large-capacity ammunition magazines to 15 rounds. But, the night before the hearing, the two sides came to an agreement that clarifies which magazines are banned under the law, and clears up confusion over issues pertaining to the temporary possession of gun magazines by someone besides the owner. “We were ready for what we thought would be a big battle,” said plaintiffs’ attorney Dave Kopel. “As it turned out, 24 hours from the hearing, we had everything we were asking for.” Hickenlooper, a Democrat, and Attorney General John Suthers, a Republican, had drafted memos outlining how the gun laws
re at w ocd the store n two
should be enforced. But the plaintiffs argued that the memos regarding the magazine limit law needed clarification. The plaintiffs were concerned the law banned magazines with removable baseplates, which are “designed to be readily converted” to hold more than 15 rounds. This, they were set to argue, could have ended up banning nearly all ammunition magazines. The plaintiffs also were concerned that language in the law that requires gun owners to be in “continuous possession” of their magazines would essentially bar anyone else besides the gun owners from handling them. The state’s attorneys agreed to make technical language adjustments in the memos, clarifying that the laws do not affect magazines with baseplates and that “continuous possession” only means continuous gun ownership. Because the two sides came to agreement on the fixes, a federal judge refused to grant an injunction that had been requested by the plaintiffs. “That’s all we tried to solve and they
were solved,” Kopel said. “We fixed a tremendous amount of real-life problems for citizens and law enforcement.” Solicitor General Dan Domenico said the state had no problem addressing the technical fixes. “In general, we’re very pleased with how things turned out,” he said. “We came to an agreement with the plaintiffs to clarify a few things that they’ve been concerned about, that are consistent with our interpretation of these statutes since before the governor signed them.” Hickenlooper told reporters later that day that the lawyers “were trying to use common sense to figure out how, going forward, this would not a huge burden (on gun owners), but at the same time reasonable.” “This is what was intended all the way along, to make sure there’s no misunderstanding,” the governor said. “We’re not trying to ban all these magazines ....” What’s left of the lawsuit deals with Second Amendment issues. Kopel said the case is “likely going to trial,” which is expected to happen later this year.
ThornTon news in A hurry Health and Produce Fairs set
or call Jaylin Stotler at 720-977-5817.
The 2013 Health and Produce Fairs will be 9-11 a.m. Friday, July 19, and Friday, Aug. 16, at the Church of God Seventh Day. 9375 Gaylord St. The fairs include free cooking demonstrations, and people will learn information about health resources. No income or residential requirements to attend. Attendees should bring their own bags for free produce that will be given out. For more information, go online to www. cityofthornton.net/communityconnections
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Mood Express performs for summer concert series
Mood Express, a band that plays Latin pop music, will perform for free 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 18, at the Carpenter Park Amphitheater, 3482 E. 112th Ave. The concert is part of the city’s summer concert series. Anthony’s II will offer pizza for sale at the concert. Also, City Council will host the Ward 1 Ice Cream Social at the event.
regionAls news in A hurry
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DMNS role in healthcare showcased in national report Rep. Mark Waller, R-Colorado Springs, right, gets a hug from House Speaker Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver on July 11, after Rep. Brian DelGrosso, R-Loveland, was elected House minority leader. Waller stepped down as minority leader to focus on his campaign for attorney general. Photo by Vic Vela
House GOP leadership changes hands Loveland business owner picked to lead minority party By Vic Vela
vvela@ourcoloradonews.com
A Loveland lawmaker has gone from delivering pizzas to Colorado houses to being the Republican leader of the Colorado House. Hill- Rep. Brian DelGrosso on July 11 was moreelected House minority leader by members g. of his party. DelGrosso, who delivered pizzas for Domino’s before buying three franchises of his own, was praised by fellow Republicans during a brief election at the Capitol. “I’ve seen Brian fight relentlessly for our values, and for our caucus, and for what’s ent, dear to our heart,” said Rep. Libby Szabo, R-Arvada. “And I appreciate that. And I beits lieve those are key traits to being a leader. “And he makes a hell of a pizza.” ornDelGrosso has served in the House since ty 2009 and has been a member of the House ng t the Finance and Appropriations committees. A Wyoming native, DelGrosso moved to Colorado after serving in the Air Force and the Wyoming National Guard, before he delivered pizzas for a local Domino’s franchise. DelGrosso now owns Domino’s franchisf es in Loveland and Windsor. nd “It’s definitely very humbling for me to be here today, to be in this position,” DelGrosso said. as DelGrosso replaces Rep. Mark Waller, Rrant Colorado Springs as minority leader. Waller rant stepped down from his leadership role on gn July 11, so he can focus on his campaign for attorney general. ool, Waller said he felt “a little bit melanthe choly” to be stepping down as minority on. leader, but said “it’s the right thing to do.” Waller said he was proud of how he led his party during the recent legislative ses-
sion — one where Republicans faced an uphill battle on just about every issue in the Democrat-controlled General Assembly. “While we lost a lot of votes because we simply did not have the numbers, we certainly won a lot of debates,” Waller said. DelGrosso praised Waller’s leadership before blasting the agenda that Democrats pursued this year. DelGrosso opposed many of the efforts that Democrats touted, such as school finance reform, civil unions and gun control. DelGrosso said he will work to “repeal and correct the onerous bills that were passed this previous session.” He also said that Coloradans “took notice” of the Democrats’ issues platform. “Today isn’t about me, it’s about our election,” he said. “And we all know that elections have consequences.” House Speaker Mark Ferrandino, DDenver, shook hands with DelGrosso after the election and took the high road in a press statement that was issued afterward. “We don’t always agree, but we do always manage to have a productive dialogue,” Ferrandino said. “I congratulate him and hope he will lead his caucus toward bipartisan solutions on the issues most important to the people of Colorado.” Republican Rep. Frank McNulty of Highlands Ranch, a former House speaker, said DelGrosso will face challenges that McNulty never faced when he led the House GOP. “It is a different dynamic, leading a House caucus when you’re in the minority, because you have to react to what the majority Democrats are doing,” McNulty said afterward. “And that’s going to be a challenge for him.” McNulty believes that DelGrosso’s business background will be an asset to the party’s leadership. “He is the American dream,” McNulty said. “He’s an American success story, and now he’s leading our House Republican caucus.”
The Denver Museum of Nature and Science initiative, Genetics of Taste, and other health-related enterprises on the part of American museums are documented in a new report, “Museums on Call: How Museums are Addressing Health Issues,” released by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). The full report, including a state-bystate appendix of examples, can be accessed at www.aam-us.org/docs/advocacy/ museums-on-call.pdf. At the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the Genetics of Taste is the first community-based and community-run genetics lab in the country. Seven days a week, visitors look in and see how a real molecular lab works and watch real scientists in action. More than 3,100 visitors have enrolled in the research study, and more than 140 volunteers have been trained as citizen-scientists. The data collected is used to research how DNA affects
taste and the role of taste in health. The museum is at 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver. To learn more about the museum, check www.dmns.org, or call 303-370-6000.
Rescued bears arriving at the Wildlife Animal Sanctuary
Two rescued bears that were anonymously surrendered by a private owner in Ohio will arrive in Keenesburg at the Wild Animal Sanctuary, thanks to Bobbi Brink of Lions Tigers & Bears (LTB). The LTB team removed nine bears from private residences in multiple locations in Ohio, performed necessary medical procedures on seven of the bears, and are transporting the bears to four reputable sanctuaries across the United States, including the Wildlife Animal Sanctuary, 1946 County Road 53. The bears have no medical records or history on file, and likely have never had proper care from a veterinarian. They likely have never had a space to run or play, and now will be given the gift of a good life at a reputable sanctuary, Brink said.
Register on-line at
WWW.BYFA.COM Walk In Registration Dates:
• July 20, 27 • 9am – 2pm • Broomfield Community Center
We Supply: • Game Jersey and Pants • Socks and Mouthpiece
Registration Fee: • Tackle • Flag
$165 $75
Important Dates for 2013 • Player Assessment Combine (PAC) • July 29 – Aug 1 • Make up PAC - August 5 & 7 • Tackle Practice Begins - August 12 • Flag Practice Begins - August 20
BYFA ... where every game is a home game!