SCHOOL SHOOTINGS AND GUN LAWS.

• Author: Anders, Kelly
• Position: Brief Article

Shortly after the June issue of State Legislatures went to press featuring a story on the Columbine aftermath and the Colorado legislature's struggle to decide what kinds of gun control measures are necessary, a seventh grader in Lake Worth, Fla., shot and killed a teacher on the last day of school.

That same day, Colorado Governor Bill Owens signed two gun bills into law and vetoed a third. He signed a bill that prevents cities from suing firearms manufacturers and another that allows people to drive through the city of Denver with a licensed gun if they start the trip outside the city. Vetoed was a bill that would have kept secret the names of people given government permission to carry concealed weapons. Earlier, he signed bills that require juveniles to be fingerprinted on arrest so their criminal records can be used in background checks for gun purchases later on and reinstate the state background check for gun purchases.

Legislation signed into law after the June issue went to press includes:

Alabama

HB 105: Bars a county or municipality from filing a lawsuit against the manufacturers and dealers of ammunition and firearms, and repeals a law that requires a waiting period and registration for purchasing pistols. Signed by the governor on May 25, 2000.

Colorado

HB 1214: Makes it illegal to purchase firearms on behalf of others who are...