In an unsettling turn of events, Colorado State Rep. Don Wilson issued a forthright apology after a janitorial staff member discovered his loaded 9 mm Glock handgun unattended in a single-occupancy bathroom within the State Capitol. The firearm, which sparked immediate concern and further debate over firearm policies within government buildings, was left on the evening of April 9, 2024, after official public hours.
The Colorado State Patrol, responsible for Capitol security, confirmed that the handgun was found around 9:21 p.m., approximately 20 minutes after Wilson vacated the premises. Wilson alerted the authorities roughly an hour after the firearm was secured, at which point the State Patrol returned the gun to him. The representative later commented, “I made a mistake and am very sorry,” acknowledging the gravity of the oversight and emphasizing his commitment to firearm safety.
Although no state laws were violated and Wilson did not face any criminal charges, the occurrence has incited criticism from several of his legislative colleagues. Democratic House Speaker Julie McCluskie described the incident as having created “a dangerous situation,” highlighting the risks associated with unattended firearms in public spaces. In response to the event, Democrats are pushing legislation aimed at banning firearms from the Capitol, with a bill already introduced to restrict guns in sensitive government areas.
Senate President Steve Fenberg, echoing McCluskie’s concern and supporting the proposed measure, pointed to the incident as clear evidence of the need for such gun safety policies. This is not an isolated case in the Colorado State Capitol, as there have been multiple instances in the past where lawmakers have mishandled firearms, leading to growing calls for stricter regulations.
While the gun was left unattended after the building had closed its doors to the public, the lapse nonetheless underscores the potential risks posed by such incidents. Democratic Majority Leader Monica Duran expressed frustration over repeated firearm-related mistakes by her colleagues and revealed that Wilson has committed not to carry a firearm in the Capitol moving forward.
Relevant articles:
– Colorado legislator apologizes after leaving loaded gun in Capitol bathroom
– Colorado Rep. Don Wilson left gun in Capitol bathroom, The Denver Post, Thu, 11 Apr 2024 20:23:42 GMT
– Lawmaker leaves Glock in statehouse bathroom, fueling debate about guns in Capitol building, Colorado Public Radio, Thu, 11 Apr 2024 23:26:15 GMT
– Republican Colorado state lawmaker apologizes for leaving loaded gun in state Capitol’s bathroom, The Hill, Fri, 12 Apr 2024 00:48:00 GMT