Colorado Governor Says “Not a Bad Idea” for Gun Control Groups to Stay Away
OutdoorHub Reporters 10.16.13
Last month, the successful recall of two Colorado state senators by disgruntled gun owners sent ripples across the nation. Former Colorado Senate President John Morse (D-Colorado Springs) and Senator Angela Giron (D-Pueblo) were both key supporters of the new gun control laws passed earlier this year, a set of laws that severely restricted gun ownership across the state. Gun rights supporters responded by voting the lawmakers out of office. Now, a recall campaign is underway against a third gun control supporter, Senator Evie Hudak (D-Westminister). After witnessing the failed efforts of gun control groups to support Morse and Giron, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper said it might be wise for the same groups to stay out of the current recall effort against Hudak.
“Colorado is a state that people like to be themselves and solve their own problems,” Hickenlooper told USA Today’s Susan Page. “They don’t really like outside organizations meddling in their affairs, and maybe the NRA gets a pass on that.”
As for organizations like New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Mayors Against Illegal Guns, Hickenlooper said it is “probably not a bad idea” for them to not interfere in Colorado politics. Bloomberg previously donated $350,000 to support gun control efforts in Colorado and fight against the recall.
Both Morse and Giron have since been replaced with Republican senators and the same will happen if Hudak loses her seat. It was a turn of events that gun control supporters and legislators did not see coming.
When Hickenlooper was asked what he believed the chances were for Hudak to be recalled, the governor responded that it might be as close as 50-50.
“I didn’t think they’d get enough signatures for the first two,” Hickenlooper said, adding that there the push for the recalls is both well-funded and energetic.
The group currently leading efforts to recall the Westminister Democrat is called Recall Hudak Too. In order to get the recall placed on the ballot the group must gather a minimum of 18,300 signatures within 60 days of October 4. According the group’s site, activists plan on getting 25,000 signatures to ensure they have a sufficient amount.
“She has infringed upon our constitutional right to keep and bear arms. She has voted to make all citizens less safe and to drive hundreds of jobs from Colorado,” group spokesperson Mike McAlpine wrote in an email to The Denver Post.
An initial recall drive against Hudak failed earlier this year. Emboldened by recent success, gun rights advocates now believe they have enough support to oust the senator.
