Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action Applaud the Passage of Critical Merchant Code Gun Safety Legislation

DENVER — Today, Everytown and its grassroots networks of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action released the following statements applauding the Colorado legislature for passing critical gun violence prevention legislation. SB24-066 (Sullivan) would require credit card companies and other financial institutions that process payments to develop a code specifically for the purchase of firearms and related products. The bill now heads to Governor Jared Polis’ desk to be signed into law.

“Communities across Colorado continue to pay for the devastating toll of gun violence and we are thankful lawmakers like Senator Sullivan continue to take action to prevent further tragedy,” said Christa T Palmer, a volunteer with the Colorado chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Thanks to Senator Sullivan’s advocacy, this legislation very well may help to prevent tragedy before it strikes, playing a critical role in identifying potential gun crimes and breaking cycles of violence.”

Colorado has proven itself to be a leader in the gun violence prevention movement. Last year, Colorado responded to unacceptable levels of gun violence and mass shootings, passing numerous measures to combat the gun violence epidemic. During the 2023 legislative session, Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers were at the forefront of advocating for the additional gun safety bills passed and signed into law. Colorado lawmakers passed and Governor Polis signed five gun safety bills into law. These bills include: 

• A law to strengthen Colorado’s Extreme Risk protection law;
• A law to help hold bad actors in the gun industry accountable for their role in fueling the gun violence crisis;
• A law to raise the age requirement for firearm purchases to 21 years old; 
• A law to create a mandatory firearm purchase waiting period, and 
• A law to address the rising threat of ghost gun legislation

In an average year, 930 people die and 466 are wounded by guns in Colorado. Guns are the leading cause of death among children and teens in Colorado, and an average of 79 children and teens die by guns every year, of which 51% are suicides and 45% are homicides. More information about gun violence in Colorado is available here.