Colorado is facing a backlash from hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts in response to recent gun legislation, which includes a ban on high-capacity magazines and universal background checks.<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper signed into law bills that ban high-capacity magazines that hold more than 15 rounds as well as magazine extensions for shotguns that are more than 28 inches in length.\u00a0 The laws were in response to mass shootings that occurred in Newtown, Connecticut, and Aurora, Colorado, last year.\u00a0 The Aurora theater shooting last July was the third mass shooting in Colorado since 1999.<\/p>\n
Although the ban on high-capacity magazines does not affect most hunters, many hunters are joining a boycott against Colorado to show their displeasure about more gun restrictions being placed upon law-abiding citizens.\u00a0 They believe these new gun laws are just the beginning of more restrictions to come, and feel something needs to be done to fight this type of legislation and send a message to legislators.<\/p>\n
One of the biggest names to boycott Colorado is Michael Bane, a producer with The Outdoor Channel and host of four popular shows on that channel including \u201cGun Stories,\u201d the channel\u2019s most popular show.\u00a0 According to an article in the Colorado Springs Gazette<\/a>, Bane said that \u201che will no longer film his four shows in Colorado.\u201d\u00a0 And Bane isn\u2019t alone.<\/p>\n According to the Gazette, \u201cGun and hunting websites and forums are full of talk of boycotting the state, and hunting outfitters say people have begun cancelling trips here.\u201d<\/p>\n Hunting guide Chris Jurney, who is also Vice President of the Colorado Outfitters Association, says he expects more repercussions.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s a united front of sportsmen that are tired of having their freedoms and liberties and fundamental rights taken away from them.\u00a0 That kind of unity among sportsmen is going to be big and unfortunately for those of us who live here, we\u2019re going to suffer the consequences of this misguided legislation.\u201d<\/p>\n Hunting in Colorado is a year-round activity, and Colorado is the second most traveled-to state in the nation for hunting activities according to a 2012 report by Buckmasters<\/a>.\u00a0 Out-of-state hunters reportedly<\/a> accounted for 15 percent of all hunting licenses in the state last year, and they spent a significant amount of money on license fees, guides, gas, hotels, restaurants, and other related industries.<\/p>\n While larger cities along the Front Range of Colorado probably won\u2019t feel the effects of the boycott directly, mountain and rural towns will be hit the hardest.\u00a0 In an interview with the Gazette, Jeff Lepp, owner of Specialty Sports in Colorado Springs, said \u201cSmall mountain towns and rural towns in this state are going to lose a lot of money because you\u2019re not going to see the number of out-of-state hunters coming here. Other states are going to see a growth.\u201d<\/p>\n So will the boycott have the desired result that those involved hope it has, or will the impact be more far-reaching and damaging?\u00a0 Hunting and fishing have major impacts on every state in the country<\/a>, and the amount of monies spent on these activities and related industries as well as the jobs and taxes created can be significant.\u00a0 So, too, can the losses of these monies, jobs, and taxes.<\/p>\n Colorado-based Magpul Industries has announced it will be leaving Colorado<\/a> and along with it, \u201cthe $85 million<\/a> it would have generated for Colorado next year.\u201d\u00a0 Magpul is considered \u201cone of the country\u2019s largest producers of magazines and other firearms accessories for gun enthusiasts, law enforcement, and the military.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe economic impact that sportsmen have on state economies should be a wake-up call to state governments to welcome and encourage hunting and fishing in their state,\u201d said Jeff Crane, President of the Congressional Sportsmen\u2019s Foundation, in an interview with Buckmasters.<\/p>\n While Colorado encourages hunting and welcomes hunters, the new gun legislation sends another message.\u00a0 So, too, does the boycott by hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts.\u00a0 Unfortunately, the people of Colorado are the ones now caught in both sides\u2019 crosshairs.<\/p>\n