(The stupid! It burns! – promoted by Colorado Pols)
THURSDAY POLS UPDATE: Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense released the following statement today:
"As a concealed-carry permit holder, Rep. Wright should understand the risks of leaving a loaded gun unattended. On any given day there are classes of school-aged children touring the Capitol. And we all know the horror stories of what happens when children find loaded guns. It is inexcusable,” said State Leader, Jennifer Hope.
She continued, "Rep. Wright claims he carries his weapon because it is his ‘duty to be a first responder.' To that we ask, how can someone respond to an emergency situation when they can't even locate their weapon? The sad irony here is that Rep. Wright sponsored legislation to expand concealed carry rights to gun owners without permits. We shudder to think of this reality as we see the example of ‘responsible gun ownership’ that Rep Wright has displayed."
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Rep. Jared Wright (R-Fruita).
Let's hear a big hurrah for the Jared Wright as he absolutely obliterates any chance that Republican's will be able to use gun laws to hurt Dems in the 2014 elections in Colorado.
In a move so ironic it hurts, State Representative Jared Wright left a loaded gun behind after a committee hearing on… wait for it… concealed carry permits.
As if Jared Wright didn't have enough problems within and beyond his own party, he is now single-handedly responsible for enshrining the Democratic Party's majority for 2015, and will now be the poster boy for the (not so) responsible gun owners.
DENVER — A state lawmaker says he'll no longer carry a firearm in the Capitol after he inadvertently left a loaded handgun in a committee room…
State law prohibits guns in the Capitol "without legal authority." Wright, who was on the Fruita police force in 2007-2011, says that as a peace officer he has a right to be armed in the Capitol.
Wright says after speaking with the State Patrol and Gov. John Hickenlooper's office, he won't carry a gun in the Capitol anymore.
This follows a Durango Herald piece from last year when Rep. Chris Holbert told a witness testifying about gun bills: "Do you understand that there are several guns in this room?"
The messaging practically writes itself and fits nicely in 30-second tv ad and/or direct mail format.
What pisses me off so much about this is that Republicans actually have a point. The 15 round clip bill is completely asinine and it may have been worth it to have a conversation about that during the upcoming election. But thanks to Rep. Wright, all hope of an honest debate is lost.
So thank you Rep. Wright! I am donating to your primary opponent as I write this. Your only accomplishment as a legislator was the almost unimaginable achievement of being worse than your drunk driving predecessor.
Which is why these idiots oppose any kind of gun safety law that speaks to leaving unattended firearms around. Too stupid to manage to comply.
It would be the effective equivalent of having a law against being a moron, and goodness knows what would happen to the ranks of the right if that happened.
The collective IQ of society is going down, but if you were completely honest you'd have to admit the predominanace of low-info voters are on the left … that's why the Dems support easing up on voter registration requirements.
Are you kidding? The people with the least amount of accurate info are rightie Fox viewers. Viewing Fox actually makes you less well informed. Only the most abject level of low info ignorance accounts for all the white, male low to middle income Joe Six Packs who faithfully vote for Republicans against their own economic interests.
He resigned under duress. I think he remains a 'highly trained peace officer' (paraphrasing the twerp) until his certification expires, not sure how long that is. Maybe he can get decertified?
You are probably right. I wrote this after I had already got in bed for the night and wasn't thinking very clearly. That contention would have been better left for another discussion.
Plus, I spent all my good writing skills on my other article which didn't get promoted.
There must have been a full moon yesterday, because the imbeciles were out in their full color display.
Spent the better part of today at the Capitol as a citizen lobbyist for economic justice. There was a group of about 50 of us, who divided up into smaller groups to speak to various Senators about the Wage Protection bill, and others. In our group was a mother and her little girl, about 5 or 6 yrs. old.
Had a surreal conversation with my Senator, Spencer Swalm who did not support the wage theft bill (apparently, the Chamber of Commerce he represents must have wage thieves among them — what else could explain his stand?). He actually said, "I can't vote for a law that allows people like Jonathan Singer to come into a business, hold a gun to the business owner's head, and take cash out of the cash register to cover someone's lost wages". To which I replied, "I'm pretty sure there are no guns in this bill. Have you actually met Jonathan Singer?"
Other bizarre things which had nothing to do with what we came to talk to him about included, "Cesar Chavez would have been against Comprehensive Immigration Reform". I give him credit for taking time to talk to us, but am truly concerned about where he gets his information, and why he doesn't question it.
Meanwhile, this guy — Jared Wright, left a loaded handgun laying around the Capitol. Imagine if that little 5 or 6 year old would have picked it up instead of Rep. Singer?
There are hundreds of school kids in and out of that building every week. I'm an organizer, not an attorney, but seem to me his behavior constitutes something like "reckless endangerment". Why the Governor let him off so easy is beyond me.
If a parent left loaded gun laying around where young children could easily pick it up and a child killed himself or another child with it, there would probably be legal consequences for the parent.
Sadly, I don't think people who leave loaded guns where kids can get them are charged frequently enough. "It was an accident" and "he'll live with this for the rest of his life" seem to be sufficient in many jurisdictions.
I'm puzzled as to why you think this means the Republicans won't be able to use gun laws to hurt Democrats. I don't think this will slow them down any, though they probably won't put Wright out there as a spokesman.
In case anyone else would like to know why the Governor let this guy off so early, I'll make it easy for you. Mail John W Hickenlooper, Governor 136 State Capitol Denver, CO 80203-1792 Phone (303) 866-2471 Fax (303) 866-2003
And I keep telling you guys the version of gun laws I would promote: One strike, you're out. This would be Wright's one strike, even if nothing bad happened.
Loaded gun, unattended, in the State Capitol – what could possibly go wrong?
February 20, 2014 12:45 am
30 Comments
Saw this on TPM. Gotta love the gunhuggers.
Wright – " I feel it is my responsibility to be a first responder wherever I am at "
or a goddamned nuisance, and a hazard to everyone around you. What a complete fucking juvenile punk.
Does he count as a "peace officer" when they fired him for lying on his time card?
Which is why these idiots oppose any kind of gun safety law that speaks to leaving unattended firearms around. Too stupid to manage to comply.
It would be the effective equivalent of having a law against being a moron, and goodness knows what would happen to the ranks of the right if that happened.
The collective IQ of society is going down, but if you were completely honest you'd have to admit the predominanace of low-info voters are on the left … that's why the Dems support easing up on voter registration requirements.
Are you kidding? The people with the least amount of accurate info are rightie Fox viewers. Viewing Fox actually makes you less well informed. Only the most abject level of low info ignorance accounts for all the white, male low to middle income Joe Six Packs who faithfully vote for Republicans against their own economic interests.
'Predominance' is a singular noun. I mean, being completely honest.
He resigned under duress. I think he remains a 'highly trained peace officer' (paraphrasing the twerp) until his certification expires, not sure how long that is. Maybe he can get decertified?
Wright is a moron. Guns should not be under the Dome except in the hands of state police.
That said, I certainly do NOT agree that the magazine limit is "asinine." That's not even part of this story so I don't know why it was included.
You are probably right. I wrote this after I had already got in bed for the night and wasn't thinking very clearly. That contention would have been better left for another discussion.
Plus, I spent all my good writing skills on my other article which didn't get promoted.
There must have been a full moon yesterday, because the imbeciles were out in their full color display.
Spent the better part of today at the Capitol as a citizen lobbyist for economic justice. There was a group of about 50 of us, who divided up into smaller groups to speak to various Senators about the Wage Protection bill, and others. In our group was a mother and her little girl, about 5 or 6 yrs. old.
Had a surreal conversation with my Senator, Spencer Swalm who did not support the wage theft bill (apparently, the Chamber of Commerce he represents must have wage thieves among them — what else could explain his stand?). He actually said, "I can't vote for a law that allows people like Jonathan Singer to come into a business, hold a gun to the business owner's head, and take cash out of the cash register to cover someone's lost wages". To which I replied, "I'm pretty sure there are no guns in this bill. Have you actually met Jonathan Singer?"
Other bizarre things which had nothing to do with what we came to talk to him about included, "Cesar Chavez would have been against Comprehensive Immigration Reform". I give him credit for taking time to talk to us, but am truly concerned about where he gets his information, and why he doesn't question it.
Meanwhile, this guy — Jared Wright, left a loaded handgun laying around the Capitol. Imagine if that little 5 or 6 year old would have picked it up instead of Rep. Singer?
Sorry Nancycronk, the full moon was on Valentine's Day. Spencer Swalm's just a plain, old garden variety idiot.
Hmm…He was cheating on his time card??? and still got elected…so much for "integrity" of the candidate…and what does that say about his voters???
That they reside in Mesa County. Here is how it goes:
There are hundreds of school kids in and out of that building every week. I'm an organizer, not an attorney, but seem to me his behavior constitutes something like "reckless endangerment". Why the Governor let him off so easy is beyond me.
If a parent left loaded gun laying around where young children could easily pick it up and a child killed himself or another child with it, there would probably be legal consequences for the parent.
Sadly, I don't think people who leave loaded guns where kids can get them are charged frequently enough. "It was an accident" and "he'll live with this for the rest of his life" seem to be sufficient in many jurisdictions.
Maybe it's time to write to Sheriff Hilkey and get Wright's concealed carry permit yanked?
With Wright, stupid is as stupid does.
I'd like to see Hilkey pull his permit,, but don't hold you breath. I don't think the high sheriff would dare over here in teepee land.
A visible gun: Isn't that a violation of concealed carry laws?
Open carry is legal here, but he had it in a bag…
good question.
I have noticed a distinct absence of the CoPols gun-lovers on this thread. No condemnation for your comrade?
I'm puzzled as to why you think this means the Republicans won't be able to use gun laws to hurt Democrats. I don't think this will slow them down any, though they probably won't put Wright out there as a spokesman.
It's pretty bad for the GOP "we're the gun experts" brand.
One might say that Rep. Wright….
Shot himself in the foot.
YEAAAAAAHHHHHHHH
In case anyone else would like to know why the Governor let this guy off so early, I'll make it easy for you.
Mail
John W Hickenlooper, Governor
136 State Capitol
Denver, CO 80203-1792
Phone
(303) 866-2471
Fax
(303) 866-2003
The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a quick trip to the committee room to pick up a spare.
With great power (loaded guns) comes great responsibility (not losing them in public places). Just sayin'
And I keep telling you guys the version of gun laws I would promote: One strike, you're out. This would be Wright's one strike, even if nothing bad happened.
Loaded gun, unattended, in the State Capitol – what could possibly go wrong?