By a unanimous vote Tuesday evening, Boulder, Colorado’s City Council advanced a ban on the sale and possession of America’s favorite rifle, the AR-15. They also voted to ban bump fire stocks, standard capacity magazines and similar sporting rifles as well. With a third vote, the ban will take effect for residents as well as visitors to Boulder.

Of course, the rule-making exempts law enforcement and military users. As for the little people, The Berkeley of the Rockies’ Mayor Suzanne Jones said, “I think, by and large, we’re focused on a type of weapon to keep it out of civilian society.” Because, nobody needs one of these guns, right?

Meanwhile, plenty of Boulder residents oppose the bill. Gun owners have packed the council chambers at meetings. Many said they will not comply.

The Boulder Camera has the story:

The Boulder City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to advance a ban on the sale and possession of assault weapons, bump stocks and high-capacity magazines in the city. In recent weeks, the terms and scope of the council’s proposed ban have been hotly debated, including at a multi-hour public hearing before the council April 5, during a street protest on Broadway and through hundreds of emails to the council from citizens. What the council voted for on Tuesday is not final. In order to be adopted as law, it will need to be voted on again at a third reading that will likely take place in the next few weeks. It will become effective as soon as it’s adopted.

Interestingly, during the debate, Boulder council members agreed the bill stood as a “mostly symbolic gesture.” But despite its ineffectiveness, it made them feel better. And feelings and emotions make for good legislation, right?

Never one for keeping her mouth shut and merely thought a fool, Mayor Jones offered her thoughts on symbolic gestures. “Just because we can’t solve an entire problem doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take steps to progress,” she said.

She probably didn’t mean that we should make progress toward a future that’s more free, rather than one that recalls past tyrannies.