May 18, 2021 10:02 AM UTC

Gun Nuts Vow To Destroy GOP House Leader

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• by: Colorado Pols

FOX 31 reports on the passage yesterday in the Colorado House of new gun safety bills introduced in response to the mass shooting at a Boulder supermarket in March, including a bill banning gun purchases for five years for those convicted of a range of violent misdemeanor crimes that might have prevented the Boulder shooter from obtaining the assault rifle used in that crime:

Monday was a busy day over at the capitol as lawmakers tackled gun control, mental health and police accountability all in day.

Bill HB21-1298 expands background requirements for firearm transfers. A person convicted of specific violent misdemeanor offenses, like sexual assault, cruelty to animals and child abuse, would be prohibited from buying firearms for five years. The vote was 42-21 in favor of the bill.

“Colorado is showing that we can do so much more than offer thoughts and prayers in the wake of mass shootings,” said bill sponsor Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder.

Public radio reporter Scott Franz took note of a miscue from GOP House Minority Leader Hugh McKean, after McKean apparently fat-fingered the “yes” button on the background check bill he meant to oppose:

The Colorado House has advanced 2 gun bills, including one to temporarily ban ppl who commit violent misdemeanors from buying guns. GOP Minority Leader Hugh McKean says he accidentally hit the “yes” button on the bill and asked chamber to revote. Motion was denied. #copolitics.

— Scott Franz (@ScottFranz10) May 17, 2021

But Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, the powerful “no compromise” gun rights group with a long history of backstabbing fellow Republicans who show even the slightest sign of reasonableness on the issue, isn’t buying McKean’s claim that his “yes” vote was accidental–sending out an email blast to their supporters yesterday afternoon after the vote so loaded with vitriol against McKean it’s about to pop:

[T]he vote just came in for HB21-1298, a bill expanding our already extensive background checks, and it looks like the Colorado GOP has a snake in its ranks.

House Minority Leader, Rep. Hugh McKean, voted YES on expanding Colorado background checks to purchase a firearm. This reprehensible bill infringes our Second Amendment and slaps law-abiding citizens in the face.

A RINO (Republican in Name Only) like Rep. McKean should NOT hold a leadership position in the Colorado Republican Party!

I urge you to call his office TODAY and DEMAND he step down from his leadership role…

Our SuperPAC will UNLEASH any and all available resources to get him out of office in the next election cycle so we can vote in a real Republican that will support the Second Amendment.

It’s unlikely that RMGO is not aware that McKean tried to take back a vote he claims was cast erroneously. They just don’t trust him, and retain enough enmity after their close legislative ally Rep. Patrick Neville was replaced by McKean last November that they don’t care to inform their members about this little detail.

Neville may have gotten the axe after two consecutive disastrous election cycles for Colorado House Republicans, but the Neville/RMGO faction within the Colorado Republican Party is alive and well–and still in control of the state party apparatus under longtime friend of RMGO Kristi Burton Brown. Attacking fellow Republicans has always been what RMGO does best–and with the deep waters closing over GOP general election hopes in Colorado, their fight once again is turning inward.

If you’re a Democrat, make some popcorn and enjoy the show. This is great news.