State Rep. Don Wilson left a loaded 9mm Glock pistol in a bathroom at the Colorado State Capitol on Tuesday, shortly after a bill was under consideration to ban firearms in sensitive spaces — including the Rotunda.
The Colorado State Patrol, responsible for security at the Capitol, reported that a semi-automatic firearm was found on the shelf of a single-occupancy unisex bathroom. The building’s staff discovered the weapon around 9:30 p.m. and immediately called the State Police, “indicating that the firearm was unattended for 23 minutes before being discovered by the janitorial team,” in a statement released by the CSP.
“I want to make it clear that I assume full and complete responsibility for the incident,” Wilson said in a written statement posted Thursday on X, formerly Twitter.
“I made a mistake and I’m sorry. I take firearms safety very seriously. This is a humbling experience and I will reaffirm my commitment to responsible handling procedures.”
The gun was returned to Wilson after authorities determined that no state statutes were violated and no criminal charges were pending as a result of the incident.
State Rep. Julie McCluskie said the situation further emphasizes the need for gun ban legislation.
“The consequences of leaving a firearm unattended in a public space can be very serious,” said the Democratic lawmaker.
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Coincidentally, a state Senate bill was being debated in the legislature that would expand places where people could not legally carry firearms, regardless of whether they were concealed or open, including the Colorado Capitol, voting centers and schools.
“This should not have happened and cannot happen again, which is why our caucus is pursuing legislation to prohibit the carrying of firearms in the Capitol,” McCluskie said.
This article originally appeared in the Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado Rep. Don Wilson forgets loaded 9mm Glock in Capitol bathroom
