It's Good To Be House Majority Leader

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by: Colorado Pols

A press release we just got from the House Majority Press Office:

Stephens Protects Second Amendment Rights

DENVER-The House Judiciary Committee will hear three bills to protect Second Amendment rights today, including House Bill 1064.

House Majority Leader Amy Stephens is sponsoring HB 1064 to prevent the seizure of firearms during a declared state of emergency.

“Our Second Amendment rights are the ultimate and final safeguard against violence to ourselves, our families and our property,” said Stephens, R-Monument. “The right to bear arms must not be compromised during an emergency situation for law-abiding citizens. I’d like to thank the National Rifle Association for bringing this bill to my attention.”

We talked last month about primary-embattled Majority Leader Amy Stephens’ sponsorship of this sure-to-die bill, HB12-1064, and its likely true purpose as a credibility booster for Stephens ahead of her campaign against Rep. Marsha Looper to remain in the House. Now, if you accept that this bill is intended to reinforce Stephens in her primary above any other realistic purpose, then you should ask the next question–why is the House Majority Press Office going out of its way to publicize it? It’s a fair question: the press release goes on to mention other gun bills sponsored by Reps. Mark Waller and Kevin Priola being debated today, but Stephens is the only one mentioned in the headline as “protecting Second Amendment Rights.”

Shouldn’t it at least be titled “Republicans Protect Second Amendment Rights,” since the release is about more than just Majority Leader Stephens’ bill?

Of course, the first problem with this latest Republican push to pass multiple bills loosening gun laws is that Republicans began the session allegedly focused on jobs. So this fixation on bills to gratify the Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, while creating precisely zero jobs, doesn’t look good.

But it’s even worse if they’re just posturing against each other on state time.

18 thoughts on “It’s Good To Be House Majority Leader”

Voyageur says:

February 10, 2012 at 1:29 am

“I’d like to thank the National Rifle Association for bringing this bill to my attention.” –Rep. Stephens

So this fixation on bills to gratify the Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, while creating precisely zero jobs, doesn’t look good. -Pols

The mighty NRA hailed by Stephens and the minuscule Rocky Mountain Gun Owners are arch enemies.

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1. Colorado Pols says:
  
  February 10, 2012 at 1:40 am
  
  RMGO is all over the other bills mentioned in this press release, and it’s fair to say they don’t mind that one either.
  
  You’re right that RMGO considers the NRA to be a “liberal” organization, though, even when their interests coincide.
  
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allyncooper says:

February 10, 2012 at 1:45 am

well, at least it’s about one job – Amy Stephens.

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allyncooper says:

February 10, 2012 at 1:45 am

well, at least it’s about one job – Amy Stephens.

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1. Fidel's dirt nap says:
  
  February 10, 2012 at 1:51 am
  
  it is now time for the full reading of the Amy Stephens Full Employment Act.
  
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2. ArapaGOP says:
  
  February 10, 2012 at 2:54 am
  
  Like cutting red tape for politicians as the first order of business?
  
  Hypocrites. Don’t worry, the Senate will kill our jobs bills too.
  
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  1. Aristotle says:
    
    February 10, 2012 at 2:56 am
    
    Not so long as you can play politics and keep people out of work. It’s the only shot you have at victory this year.
    
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  2. Aristotle says:
    
    February 10, 2012 at 2:56 am
    
    Not so long as you can play politics and keep people out of work. It’s the only shot you have at victory this year.
    
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    1. ArapaGOP says:
      
      February 10, 2012 at 3:02 am
      
      That didn’t work for Carter either.
      
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      1. Aristotle says:
        
        February 10, 2012 at 3:12 am
        
        Is this a replay of the “It’s all Carter’s fault” lie that was supposed to explain the housing market collapse?
        
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  3. Voyageur says:
    
    February 10, 2012 at 3:14 am
    
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    1. Gilpin Guy says:
      
      February 10, 2012 at 3:31 pm
      
      “Hive to Drone 634. Talk about the hated Jimmy Carter instead of our own dismal performance at job creation. Under no circumstances acknowledge that the only legislative purpose of Republicans at any level this year is to put the skids on the economy so it can be blamed on Obama. America must fail for us to have any chance at seizing power again.”
      
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      1. Fidel's dirt nap says:
        
        February 10, 2012 at 8:00 pm
        
        when we claim that Obama inherited a lot of Bush’s fuck ups. Ancient history. Then at the drop of a hat they roll out out Carter, and Chappaquiddick.
        
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        Voyageur says:
        
        February 12, 2012 at 11:17 pm
        
        vetoed the Bank of the United States. As a devout Whig, I still haven’t forgiven the Democrats for that one!
        
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davebarnes says:

February 10, 2012 at 1:58 am

Back off you liberal pantywaists.

This creates jobs for lawyers and lobbyists.

They, in turn, sponsor happy hours, which create jobs for bartenders.

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1. gertie97 says:
  
  February 10, 2012 at 2:31 am
  
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ArapaGOP says:

February 10, 2012 at 2:49 am

They should have kept the title neutral or used all of the legislator’s names. I’m sure it was an honest mistake, but it doesn’t look good.

With that exception, there’s nothing wrong with highlighting Stephens’ bills, and Rep. Looper’s bills, and they have done both. The Speaker even highlighted one of Bradford’s bills in his opening day speech.

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Voyageur says:

February 10, 2012 at 3:16 am

Jobs for coronors.

Jobs for medical examiners.

Jobs for homicide detectives.

Jobs for prosecutors and defense attorneys.

And jobs for prison guards, assuming you pansy-assed liberals don’t execute the convicted perps.

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