Opinion ID: 2595483
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Wagoner

Text: Wagoner claims that the titles and summary fail to adequately and fairly state the true intent of the Initiative, which, according to him, is to regulate noncommercial firearm sales. In reading the proposed initiative in pari materia with state and federal laws covering the same subject matter, the true intent of the proposed initiative [to regulate noncommercial sales] is readily apparent. Wagoner asserts that the titles and summary should reflect this. Further, the ballot language is false and misleading because it erroneously presents that there are currently no background checks conducted at gun shows. However, as the proponents indicate, the titles and summary state that the background check applies to all prospective transferees if any part of the transaction occurs at a gun show. The Initiative states, If any part of a firearm transaction takes place at a gun show, no firearm shall be transferred unless a background check has been obtained by a licensed gun dealer. § 12-26.1-101(3). The titles and summary therefore track the Initiative; all sales  commercial and noncommercial  are included in the Initiative's sweep. Thus, the titles are not misleading. Nor are they misleading because they do not refer to the Initiative's possible interplay with existing state and federal laws. See In re Branch Banking Initiative, 200 Colo. at 90, 612 P.2d at 99 (upholding Board's decision not to include the proposed initiative's possible conflict with federal banking law).