The next is a transcript of an interview with Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado that aired Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, on "Face the Nation."
MARGARET BRENNAN: We flip now to Colorado's Democratic Governor Jared Polis who has caught with us by way of some technical difficulties. And governor, I perceive you hear me now, so let's get straight to it. I am sorry for what your state has just lately gone by way of with this horrendous taking pictures at Membership Q. It sounds just like the shooter had a handgun and an AR-15 type rifle. Are you able to affirm that he illegally bought them? Or have been these unregistered ghost weapons?
COLORADO GOV. JARED POLIS: It has been reported that not less than one of many weapons was-was a ghost gun, by totally different media retailers. All of those details will emerge within the coming days and weeks. Clearly, proper now our-our coronary heart is with the victims, 5 individuals who misplaced their lives, their households, dozens of others injured and naturally, many traumatized. One other instance of a legislation that would have been used on this occasion, efficiently, is a purple flag legislation which we have now in Colorado, however it's actually as much as the native legislation enforcement entity methods to use it. In circumstances like this the place any person can doubtlessly be a hazard, or there are indicators that they're a hazard, we have now a authorized method to quickly take away custody of any weapons they could have. And that is an instance of a case the place it may need been used.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Effectively, I wish to ask you about that as a result of President Biden mentioned it was ridiculous that purple flag legal guidelines aren't being enforced, simply based mostly on the information of this shooter relatively than counting on his or her mother and father. Is the President appropriate? And are you saying proper now that your native legislation enforcement was selecting to not implement the legislation?
GOV. POLIS: So proper now, in Colorado, you possibly can have mother and father or members of the family go for an excessive threat safety order or purple flag legislation? That is pretty widespread. It wasn't you pursued on this occasion by the mom. You may also have an area sheriff company do it, on this case, it wasn't pursued by the native sheriff company, I am certain what will likely be regarded into is why wasn't it pursued? What-what I believe we will take a look at in Colorado is doubtlessly increasing that, for example, so DAs can even search excessive threat safety orders. We additionally must make it possible for we publicize the legislation and make it possible for the instruments are in individuals's fingers after they want it to take away harmful weapons that could possibly be used for self hurt or harming others from any person who's in a psychological well being disaster.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You mentioned final week, you did not know but if the shooter was motivated by anti LGBTQ rhetoric, or if it was a private motive. Have you ever seen any proof it was a hate crime? And does the truth that the shooter identifies as nonbinary affect this in any means does this counsel something to you?
GOV. POLIS: Effectively no, on the second level of the shooters id has nothing to do with whether or not a hate crime was dedicated or not. I wish to be clear in Colorado, in the event you kill 5 individuals, you are behind bars the remainder of your life, this younger man as soon as convicted, and I consider he will likely be convicted as a result of the proof is overwhelming, won't ever be capable of be free of a jail cell husband in the remainder of the day behind bars. The hate crimes on prime of that can be utilized to reinforce the sentence they can be utilized for acknowledging the truth that a- the LGBT group was traumatized. However once more, the homicide alone will ship this particular person behind bars for the remainder of his life.
MARGARET BRENNAN: The President has additionally renewed his name for an assault weapons ban. It seems like the main points of this case could also be extra sophisticated than that. If a part of this was not a registered gun in any respect. Up to now, you have been in opposition to an assault weapons ban, while you have been in Congress again in 2013. You modify your place in 2018. Given that you are the chief govt of the state now, would you wish to see an assault weapons ban?
GOV. POLIS: Effectively, I'd say, look we realized from-from every occasion. However you even have to take a look at all of the causes. So is there a means to enhance gun security out of this to make it possible for purple flag legal guidelines are-are used? Not solely, he had a pistol and a semi-automatic weapon? Do we'd like higher legal guidelines on-on ghost weapons? Do we have to make it possible for we have now a greater course of round semi-automatic weapons open to all of these. We additionally must pursue the psychological well being side of this and different taking pictures incidences, what and the way did this fall by way of the cracks? We have to pursue the anti-LGBT rhetoric side of this. I believe whether or not it will likely be the case on this case or not, clearly the kind of rhetoric on the market that divides one group of People in opposition to one other Consent any person excessive and tragically encourage them to an act of violence. We have to give attention to nationwide therapeutic, bringing individuals collectively and actually treating each other as brothers and sisters.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I believe individuals can agree, I hope with not less than that. Governor thanks to your time right this moment and thanks for sticking with us by way of these technical difficulties and the delay that you just all heard.