PHOTOS: Supporters of Prop KK, proposed excise tax on guns and ammo to raise funds for mental health, other victims services, rally on capitol steps
By
Tom HellauerSeptember 12, 2024 | updated 2 years ago
Proponents of Prop KK, a ballot initiative proposing a 6.5 percent excise tax increase on the sales of guns and ammunition in Colorado, rally on the state capitol building's steps in Denver on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (TomHellauerMultimedia [email protected]://denvergazette.com/content/tncms/avatars/f/9e/622/f9e6228a-3b6b-11ed-bf10-fbb71fa8e421.f54b911252c540f1d61709edc4727a39.png)
Several Colorado politicians including Monica Duran, Beth McCann, Tom Sullivan and more joined Moms Demand Action and other groups to rally in support of Proposition KK. The ballot initiative proposes a 6.5 percent excise tax on transactions of guns and ammunition would raise millions in funds for mental health services, violence prevention programs, veteran healthcare and more.
Proponents of Prop KK, a ballot initiative proposing a 6.5 percent excise tax increase on the sales of guns and ammunition in Colorado, rally on the state capitol building’s steps in Denver on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (TomHellauerMultimedia [email protected]://denvergazette.com/content/tncms/avatars/f/9e/622/f9e6228a-3b6b-11ed-bf10-fbb71fa8e421.f54b911252c540f1d61709edc4727a39.png)Romina Slossberg, left, and Christine Harrell hold a banner at a rally for Prop KK, a ballot initiative proposing a 6.5 percent excise tax on guns and ammunition in Colorado, rallied on the state capitol building’s steps in Denver on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. Slossberg and Harrell work with Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence (SPAN) an organization dedicated to providing care to domestic violence and abuse victims. (TomHellauerMultimedia [email protected]://denvergazette.com/content/tncms/avatars/f/9e/622/f9e6228a-3b6b-11ed-bf10-fbb71fa8e421.f54b911252c540f1d61709edc4727a39.png)Colorado State Rep. Monica Duran speaks in favor of Prop KK, a ballot initiative proposing a 6.5 percent excise tax on guns and ammunition in Colorado, at a rally on the state capitol building’s steps in Denver on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (TomHellauerMultimedia [email protected]://denvergazette.com/content/tncms/avatars/f/9e/622/f9e6228a-3b6b-11ed-bf10-fbb71fa8e421.f54b911252c540f1d61709edc4727a39.png)Gordon McLaughlin, District Attorney in Colorado’s Eighth Judicial District, speaks in favor of Prop KK, a ballot initiative proposing a 6.5 percent excise tax on guns and ammunition in Colorado, rallied on the state capitol building’s steps in Denver on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. McLaughlin, a gun owner, said Colorado is among the nation’s worst states in suicide by gun, domestic violence shootings and other worrisome statistics. (TomHellauerMultimedia [email protected]://denvergazette.com/content/tncms/avatars/f/9e/622/f9e6228a-3b6b-11ed-bf10-fbb71fa8e421.f54b911252c540f1d61709edc4727a39.png)Beth McCann greets supporters of of Prop KK, a ballot initiative proposing a 6.5 percent excise tax on guns and ammunition in Colorado, at a rally on the state capitol building’s steps in Denver on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (TomHellauerMultimedia [email protected]://denvergazette.com/content/tncms/avatars/f/9e/622/f9e6228a-3b6b-11ed-bf10-fbb71fa8e421.f54b911252c540f1d61709edc4727a39.png)Colo. State Sen. Tom Sullivan speaks in favor of Prop KK, a ballot initiative proposing a 6.5 percent excise tax increase on guns and ammunition in Colorado, rallied on the state capitol building’s steps in Denver on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. Sullivan’s son was killed by a gunman in the 2012 Aurora theater shooting. “Let me tell you about having a kid who was murdered. It sucks,” Sullivan said. (TomHellauerMultimedia [email protected]://denvergazette.com/content/tncms/avatars/f/9e/622/f9e6228a-3b6b-11ed-bf10-fbb71fa8e421.f54b911252c540f1d61709edc4727a39.png)Proponents of Prop KK, a ballot initiative proposing a 6.5 percent tax increase on the sales of guns and ammunition in Colorado, hold up a sign on the state capitol building’s steps during a press conference in Denver on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (TomHellauerMultimedia [email protected]://denvergazette.com/content/tncms/avatars/f/9e/622/f9e6228a-3b6b-11ed-bf10-fbb71fa8e421.f54b911252c540f1d61709edc4727a39.png)Eunice Brownlee helps unfurl a sign promoting Prop KK, a ballot initiative proposing a 6.5 percent tax increase on guns and ammunition in Colorado, on the state capitol building’s steps in Denver on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. “I’m somebody who has benefited from public funds for these services on this ballot measure. I don’t know where I would be without it,” Brownlee said. (TomHellauerMultimedia [email protected]://denvergazette.com/content/tncms/avatars/f/9e/622/f9e6228a-3b6b-11ed-bf10-fbb71fa8e421.f54b911252c540f1d61709edc4727a39.png)
