BOULDER, Colo. — The Boulder City Council took a step closer to banning the sale and possession of certain weapons on Tuesday.
The work started after the deadly shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida, on Feb. 14.
During a marathon meeting, plenty of people on both sides of the issue voiced their positions.
Council members unanimously voted to prohibit the sale and possession of bump stocks, many semiautomatic weapons and magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds.
Boulder has defined certain semiautomatic guns as assault weapons.
The ban does not go into effect immediately. There still must be a third reading by the council.
“If it’s done right, it works,” resident Mindy Miller said. “When you start watering it down, it’s not effective.”
Some have suggested putting the controversial ban to a vote of residents instead of council members.
“I am for two weeks a member of the NRA. That’s because of this council,” a resident said. “I have taken gun lessons, and I intend to buy, and guess what, I’m going to buy and AR-15.”
Others at the meeting argued the current proposed ban, as written, needs an overhaul to prevent the city from being sued.
The ban allows exemptions for weapons owned by law enforcement officers, those in the military and federal firearm permit-holders.