Coloradans react to Trump’s comments on gun-free zones

Colorado is one of the states at the center of the gun violence debate in America.

In Boulder on Wednesday night, gun violence was discussed for less than two minutes.

GOP Presidential hopeful Donald Trump answered a question about gun-free zones with this response: “Gun-free zones, when you say that, that’s target practice for the sickos and the mentally ill. That’s target, they look around for gun-free zones. Gun-free zones are a feeding frenzy for the mentally ill.”

The other side of the debate doesn’t buy that argument.

“It just feels like we’ve become numb to this level of violence in our country,” Dawn Reinfield, a member of Moms Demand Action, said. “We are just average people out here saying no more, we’re done.”

One gun shop owner in Colorado Springs calls Trump’s controversial statement the truth.

“Look at the Aurora theatre case, it was a gun free zone,” Paul Paradise said. “It’s very easy to assault people that are in places and can’t be armed.”

Paradise is a certified National Rifle Association instructor and teaches monthly gun safety classes.

“The paperwork that’s created at gun sales with background checks hasn’t stopped one criminal from getting their hands on a gun and committing a crime,” Paradise said.

One gun control advocate disagrees.

“I’d like to see the nation take on some of the sensible gun control we have here in Colorado,” Robert O’Malley said, “Universal background checks, limiting the size of magazines.”

The nationally televised debate lasted for a little more than two hours. Ninety seconds was dedicated to gun violence.