On Thursday, a Colorado lawmaker apologized for leaving a loaded firearm unattended in a bathroom at the State Capitol. Republican state Rep. Don Wilson had left his 9 mm Glock handgun on a shelf in a single-occupancy bathroom around 9 p.m. on Tuesday. The gun was found by janitorial staff about 20 minutes later and safely stored before being returned to Wilson by state troopers. Wilson took full accountability for his mistake, stating that he takes firearm safety seriously and will reaffirm his commitment to responsible handling procedures.
The Colorado State Police conducted an investigation and determined that Wilson had not violated any state laws. Capitol credentialed individuals are permitted to carry firearms in secure areas in compliance with Colorado gun laws. However, Democratic House Speaker Julie McCluskie criticized Wilson for creating a dangerous situation with his actions. Democrats are pursuing legislation to prohibit carrying firearms in the Capitol, with a measure introduced in February that would prohibit firearms in sensitive spaces, including certain government buildings. Senate President Steve Fenberg, a Democrat, supported the measure, citing the need for gun safety policies in light of incidents like this.
Efforts to ban firearms in certain spaces have faced opposition, with similar measures recently falling short in Congress. The House Natural Resources Committee rejected a Democratic amendment last year to ban firearms from the committee’s hearing room. This decision came after the Republican-controlled Rules Committee removed a provision put in place by Democrats that had barred firearms in committees and hearing rooms. The incident involving Wilson on Tuesday is not the first time a gun has been mishandled in the Colorado State Capitol, with State Rep. Richard Holtorf dropping his gun outside the House chamber while heading to a vote in 2022, as reported by The Denver Post.
In response to the incident, Republican lawmakers have faced criticism from Democrats for their handling of firearms in public spaces. Democrats are pushing for stricter gun safety policies, including prohibiting firearms in sensitive areas like the State Capitol. While Capitol credentialed individuals are allowed to carry firearms in compliance with Colorado gun laws, the recent incidents have raised concerns about the risks of leaving guns unattended in public spaces. Lawmakers like Wilson have acknowledged their mistakes and expressed a commitment to responsible handling procedures, but the push for stronger gun safety legislation continues amidst the ongoing debate over firearm regulations.
