The Sheriff's Office of Mesa County says the new firearms punishment could make safer communities

Grand Junction, there. (KJCT) – Sheriff of Mes Bill House 25-1062.

This draft law would make any firearms theft a grade offense. Colorado’s current law states that the conviction for the weapon is based on the value of the article.

According to subsecver Matt King, for all theft in accordance with the current law:

An article rated at $ 300 or below – small offense
An article rated at $ 300 – $ 1000 – 2 -grade crime
An article rated at $ 1000 – $ 2000 – Grade 1
An article rated at $ 2000- $ 5000- 6th class offense

“You can create and commit so much chaos with a $ 100 firearm, usually a US firear weapon. Therefore, it must be viewed in those eyes as capable, rather than what is its cost, ”said King.

In the testimony of Rowells, he mentioned that, with the current law, a criminal who commits a second theft of a firearm worth $ 300 or less faces a smaller fine than the owner who fails to report the weapon of fire as being missing.

“The criminal accusation is not outside the balance. It will take responsibility for people who commit these crimes. And, in total, it will be, I think it will make our community safer, ”King said.

King and Rowell said that in the past 5 years, around 353 firearms have taken place in Mesa County. About 1 of each 6 are involved in additional criminal activities.

“It’s a problem,” King said. “People who steal firearms usually use those firearms to commit other crimes, or take them and carry them or transport them from our county.”

King said that, although he believes that this draft law, if passed, will help the state and the safest MESS county, there are ways in which the community can ensure its safety at this time.

“Many of these weapons that are stolen are simply because people do not provide their firearms. The responsible part of the property of firearms is not to leave your weapon in the car. Remove the valuable goods from the car, including firearms. Block the vehicles. Make sure things, “King said.

The draft law 25-1062 of the house is currently examined by The General Assembly in Colorado.