GUN CONTROL HITS NOVEMBER BALLOT , MOUNTAIN LION AND BOBCAT BANS STILL POSSIBLE .
The FRONT LINE
GUN FIGHT
IN
COLORADO
GUN CONTROL HITS NOVEMBER BALLOT , MOUNTAIN LION AND BOBCAT BANS STILL POSSIBLE .
As we went to press , the status of Colorado Initiative Petition 91 was still up in the air . The anti-hunting group Cats Aren ’ t Trophies ( CATS ) had turned in signatures for verification , but the Secretary of State had not finished the confirmation process .
CATS loudly proclaimed to have enough signatures to qualify the initiative for the November ballot after paying signature gatherers $ 5 to $ 7 for every person signing the petition . In a press release , the anti-hunting front group , comprised of and funded by out-of-state national organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States , Animal Wellness Action , Mountain Lion Foundation and others , claimed to have turned in 188,000 signatures . To qualify for the ballot , 124,238 signatures must be verified .
Too Close to Call : While 188,000 signatures might seem like a slam dunk , consider that historically only 60 percent to 65 percent of signatures are typically validated after the gathering process . Even at the top end of that rate , the initiative would fall short . However , it ’ s possible that they buck history and perform at a higher rate . Either way , it ’ s going to be within a couple of thousand signatures whether it passes or fails .
Gunning for Hunters : Whether or not CATS ’ petition qualifies , Colorado voters will still decide the fate of sportsmen on another front . HB24-1349 , which was signed by Gov . Polis , placing it on the November ballot , levies a 6.5 percent “ sin tax ” on the purchase of any firearm , firearm part and ammunition . Law-abiding sportsmen and gun owners will see the cost of participating in hunting and exercising a civil right increase to fund violent crime prevention and other programs wholly unrelated to lawful firearm ownership .
ADOBE STOCK