Defending Constitutional Rights Against Legislative Overreach

On February 7, 2024, Nephi Cole, Robert Farnham, Jim May, and Mary Janssen joined the show. Discussed pending Colorado legislation threatening firearms rights, including First Amendment implications of advertising restrictions, while emphasizing that 90 percent of crime guns are obtained illegally Explained threats to Colorado’s $4 Described three generations of cattle ranching across Colorado, Nebraska, and Nevada, and the philosophy behind Lavaca Meat Company’s premium aged. Second Amendment Under Siege in Colorado Start listening at 30:05 – Hour 1 Nephi Cole, Director of Government Relations and State Affairs for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, sounded the alarm on Colorado’s aggressive push against firearms rights. Fresh from the massive SHOT Show in Las Vegas, where 70,000 industry professionals gathered at the nation’s eighth-largest trade show, Cole turned his attention to the legislative battles brewing in Denver. Cole identified a troubling pattern in Colorado’s approach to gun legislation: lawmakers targeting law-abiding citizens rather than criminals. He emphasized that 90 percent of firearms used in crimes are obtained illegally, through straw purchases, underground markets, or theft. Convicted felons, illegal drug users, fugitives from justice, and other prohibited persons already cannot legally purchase firearms, yet proposed restrictions would burden only those who follow the law. The conversation extended beyond the Second Amendment to First Amendment concerns, with pending legislation that could restrict firearms advertising. Cole drew a direct line between the right to keep and bear arms and freedom of speech, warning that attacking one constitutional right inevitably threatens others. “Taking liberty away from law-abiding people does not stop criminals. It makes criminals.” Nephi Cole, Director of Government Relations, National Shooting Sports Foundation Protecting Colorado’s Cattle Industry from Outside Attacks Start listening at 73:22 – Hour 2 Robert Farnham, president of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, described an unprecedented assault on the state’s number one industry from radical environmental groups and out-of-state activists. The cattle industry generates $4.75 billion annually in direct commerce while preserving Colorado’s open landscapes and scenic beauty. Farnham outlined immediate threats including a Denver ballot initiative to ban meat processing that would shutter Superior Packing Plant, eliminate 400 jobs, and potentially drive the National Western Stock Show out of Denver. Initial polling shows residents split 50-50 on the measure, giving the industry hope but requiring significant outreach to defeat it. The conversation revealed how outside money, particularly from New York, funds ballot initiatives designed to bankrupt western agriculture. Farnham connected the dots between the defeated pet registration bill, firearms restrictions, and attacks on ranching as a coordinated effort to erode individual property rights and freedom. “I think the biggest thing is, you know we have to, as a society, not let these small interest groups dictate to our daily lives, and I think that the biggest thing is just get involved.” Robert Farnham, President, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association Third-Generation Ranching Meets Premium Beef Start listening at 16:26 – Hour 1 Jim May of Lavaca Meat Company shared the story of a family cattle operation...