BOULDER, Colo. – Should the City of Boulder ban assault weapons? That’s just one of the questions that will be considered during a special session of City Council Thursday evening – and officials want you to weigh in on the measure.
City council members will introduce an ordinance that will seek to ban assault rifles, high-capacity magazines and bump stocks city-wide. The meeting, which is open to the public who are encouraged to attend to provide input, will take place at the council chambers at 6 p.m.
The measure was proposed by Boulder City Councilwoman Jill Grano just days after the Marjory Stone Douglas High School massacre in Parkland, Florida.
At the time, Grano said the council would hash out details about what weapons would be banned under the proposal and how it would be enforced.
During Thursday’s meeting, some of the key issues before the council will be:
- Whether to impose a ban;
- What should be included if a ban is imposed;
- Whether a ban should include possession as well as sale;
- What, if any, exceptions should be included among other things
Currently, there are two businesses in Boulder that sell the products that the council is considering for a ban, according to a city council agenda on the ordinance.
While Boulder begins the discussion on an assault weapons ban, Denver has had one in place since 1989. Grano said they will use Denver as a starting point, but she hopes to create a stricter policy.
But while the City of Denver recently enacted a ban on bump stocks, Denver police say zero have actually been turned in.
Boulder Police Chief Greg Testa said last month he would support a ban on assault rifles.
The University of Colorado Police Department, the other police department that operates within city limits, did not take a stance on the issue.