DENVER — Former space shuttle Commander Mark Kelly, the husband of former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, is heading to Colorado Monday to testify in support of one of seven gun control bills being heard by state lawmakers, FOX31 Denver is first to report.

Kelly, who testified before Congress earlier this year in support of gun control measures, will testify Monday in support of House Bill 1229, which would mandate that all private gun sales and transfers are subject to background checks.

He and Giffords, who was shot in the head outside a Tucson grocery store more than two years ago, have started their own gun control advocacy group, “Americans for Responsible Solutions”, earlier this year to “combat the influence of the gun lobby.”

Patricia Maisich, one of three people credited with tackling the Tucson gunman, Jared Lee Loughner, as he was reloading, is also going to be at the Colorado Capitol Monday to testify in support of House Bill 1224, which will ban high-capacity magazines of more than 15 rounds.

The group Ceasefire Colorado, in an email Sunday alerting supporters to join Kelly and Maisich at the Capitol Monday, is explicit about the high stakes of Monday’s hearing — and the potential impact of Colorado lawmakers on the national gun control debate.

“We are done with gun lobby bullies writing our laws, and we are committed to lead the way to a new perspective on responsible gun ownership,” the email states.

“The nation is watching.  Every news outlet in this state will be reporting on this event and noting who is observing the proceedings. What is said and done under this capitol dome affects what happens in Washington.”

All seven Democratic gun control measures, four of which have already passed the House, will be heard Monday by two Senate committees that will be meeting simultaneously.

Public testimony on each bill will be limited to three hours — 90 minutes for each side — in order to complete the hearings on time.

Here is the official schedule:

SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: 10:30 a.m. Monday, Old Supreme Court Chambers
Senate Bill 197: Restricts firearms for domestic violence offenders
House Bill 1224: Limits ammunition magazines to 15 rounds
Senate Bill 196: Assesses liability for assault weapons
Senate Bill 195: Bans online training for concealed handgun permits

SENATE STATE, VETERANS & MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: 10:30 a.m. Monday, Room 356
House Bill 1229: Requires universal background checks for gun sales and transfers
House Bill 1228: Requires gun customers to pay the costs of their background checks
House Bill 1226: Outlaws concealed-weapon permit holders from packing heat in campus buildings

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