More gun restrictions for domestic abusers now law

Stricter restrictions on gun ownership by domestic violence offenders are now in place in Colorado under a law that establishes a process for them to relinquish their firearms.

Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper signed the bill Wednesday. It was part of a package of gun legislation responding to mass shootings last year in a suburban Denver movie theater and a Connecticut elementary school.

Domestic violence offenders are already prohibited from possessing firearms, but the bill establishes a court process for people convicted of domestic violence to give up their guns. The law goes into effect Wednesday.

In March, Hickenlooper signed an expansion of background checks to include online and private firearm sales, and a bill limiting the size of ammunition magazines. Colorado sheriffs have filed a lawsuit over those two bills.