Watch CBS News

Sandy Hook Murder Victim's Sister Among Moms Fighting Bills That Loosen Gun Control

DENVER (CBS4) - A few dozen parents went to the state Capitol on Monday asking for tighter gun control in Colorado, including the sister of a Sandy Hook Elementary shooting murder victim.

A controversial bill moved forward on Monday. It's just one of a number of bills trying to loosen gun control at the state Legislature. One bill even proposes to let the state vote and repeal all gun control legislation ever enacted. It's something a group of mothers say they will continue to fight.

Jane Dougherty
Jane Dougherty (center) (credit: CBS)

"We're trying to keep our families, our communities safe. We're not trying to take any legal guns from any legal gun owners," Jane Dougherty said.

Dougherty is one of nearly 50 mothers who went to the Capitol to tell legislators they need to act to keep people safe.

RELATED STORIES: Gun Control Story Archive

"My sister was the school psychologist at Sandy Hook that was murdered and I'm going to always speak out and honor my sister and fight for common sense gun laws here in Colorado," she said.

MOMS GUNS CAPITOL 5PKG.tran-sfer
(credit: CBS)

"You're 20 times more likely to die by gun in the United States of America than any other advanced industrialized developed country. And who would tolerate that?" Erin DaCosta with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America said. "We've gotten together as moms, but like I said, we're a diverse group and we're cultivating a block of single issue voters."

On Monday Senate Bill 17 passed its second reading and is expected to be voted on again Tuesday. It would allow people to not need a concealed carry permit, including on school campuses. It's one of many bills at the Capitol looking to give gun owners more rights.

"We don't want the guns to fall into the hands of dangerous people, the mentally ill, felons, people with drug and alcohol abuse," Dougherty said. "We're trying to keep guns out of the dangerous hands."

Some other bills the mothers say they're going to fight would allow school employees, staff, or faculty to carry a gun.

So far no gun bills have been sent to Gov. John Hickenlooper's desk.

LINK: Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.