Gun control continues to be a top priority for lawmakers at the Colorado capitol. This week the state Senate is setting aside extra rooms and extra time for two committees taking up a series of controversial bills.
The proposals include , plus additional bills from Senate Democrats. One is an attempt to put added legal liability on the makers, sellers, and owners of high powered rifles, while another would require people to go through in-person training to get concealed weapons permits.
Senate Minority Leader Bill Cadman says his Republican caucus will fight all of the bills.
"Every one of them is important to us," Cadman told Colorado Public Radio. "Some have a great impact, I think, on the overall issue in the state and frankly across the country. And the focus of the nation and probably parts of the world are on this debate right now."
One of the most-watched bills will be a proposal from Senate President John Morse to crack down on assault weapons by holding sellers and owners liable for damages from shootings.
Hundreds of people are expected to attend Monday鈥檚 hearings -- including Mark Kelly, the husband of former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot by a gunman in January 2011. Kelly is expected to speak in support of a House bill requiring background checks for private gun sales and transfers.
