Mary Jo Pitzl

The Republic | azcentral.com

Democrats used a visit from the family of a Colorado movie-theater shooting victim to lament the status of gun bills in the Arizona Legislature.

Specifically, they complained that gun bills all point in the same direction: toward greater gun access. And the bills they've backed, which would curb that access, have not gone anywhere.

"When those bills are not allowed to go through the legislative process, there is no discussion," Rep. Randy Friese, D-Tucson, said.

He's frustrated that a bipartisan measure he helped sponsor, House Bill 2011, didn't get assigned to a committee for potential consideration. The bill called for creation of a study committee on public safety and violence.

Friese's comments came after Lonnie and Sandy Phillips of Aurora, Colo., discussed their drive to overturn the federal law that bars holding gun-related manufacturers and dealers liable if their products are used in a criminal or unlawful manner.

The Phillipses' daughter, Jessica Ghawi, was one of 12 victims of the Aurora movie-theater shooting in 2012. When the couple sued the online company that sold the ammunition, the judge dismissed their case, citing the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. The Phillipses are being held liable for the seller's legal fees.

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Later, several people involved in campaigns to prevent gun violence met with representatives of Gov. Doug Ducey's office. They asked the governor to veto bills that are still working their way through the state Legislature, should they get to his desk.

Meg Pradelt said they asked the governor to consider the negative image they believe bills such as HB 2338 give Arizona. That bill would require public-university, community-college and K-12-school governing boards to allow people to carry a firearm on any street, highway or other rights of way the public could access.

Pradelt called that "the first step toward guns on campus" since many school campuses have such rights of way.

The bill has passed the House and is awaiting a Senate vote. Ducey typically does not comment on legislation before it reaches his desk.

Senate Bill 1257, which would allow individuals to carry firearms in most public buildings, is also still advancing.

Ducey's representatives listened to their concerns, but made no promises, Pradelt said.

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Reach the reporter at maryjo.pitzl@arizonarepublic.com and follow her on Twitter @maryjpitzl.