New Map Shows 98.1 Percent of Coloradans Live Within 10 Miles of Gun Dealer

Mayors Against Legal Guns recently released a map showing that 98.1 percent of Coloradans live within 10 miles of a gun store. With the majority of Colorado residents living so close to gun stores, proponents for background checks claim the increase won't be a burden on residents.

Colorado has 1,375 federally licensed gun dealers, that's 3.1 times the number of posts offices, making it fast and easy for private sellers to meet buyers at a local gun dealer to run a background check before finalizing the sale.

On the average, 90 percent of background checks can be complete in just minutes, which helps illustrate the ease and convenience of required checks.

New York City Mayor and Co-Chair for Mayors Against Illegal Guns, Michael Bloomberg states:

“The gun lobby has long argued that requiring background checks would be burdensome for sellers – these maps definitively refute that idea."

“It’s clear that, no matter where you live in America, getting a background check will be quick and convenient – who wouldn’t drive ten miles to save a life? Americans overwhelmingly support background checks for all gun sales. It’s time for Congress to make it a reality.”

Mayors Against Illegal Guns Co-Chair and Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino said:

“These checks are quick, easy measures that will help make our neighborhoods safer. That’s why Americans almost unanimously agree that we need background checks for every gun sale – and that’s why it’s time for our leaders in Washington to act.”

Federal law currently states that federally licensed gun dealers are required to conduct a criminal background check on all gun buyers, however, close to 40 percent of firearms in the US are transferred between "private sellers" who are not required to do a background check.

About 6.6 million guns were transferred in 2012 with no background check, which could place these guns in the hands of dangerous people who should not own guns, this includes fellons, domestic abusers and the serious mentally ill.

Colorado lawmakers are working out the details of the new gun laws in the state. Make sure you keep up with our gun-control coverage.

[Mayors Against Illegal Guns]