DENVER | A bill that would require universal background checks for gun buyers passed a Colorado House Committee on Feb. 12 after several people with ties to Aurora spoke in support of the bill during the daylong hearing.

The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, came months after the July 20 theater shooting and passed out of the House Judiciary Committee on a vote of 7 to 4 with all Republicans opposing the bill.

State Rep. John Buckner, D-Aurora, the lone Aurora lawmaker on the House Judiciary Committee, said he supports Fields’ measure because it promotes public safety.

“Knowing that we don’t have a perfect way to solve all these problems, I think we have to keep contributing to public safety,” he said.

The City of Aurora said they would support universal background checks, but did not take a position on other measures like banning high-capacity magazines.

House Bill 1229 would require private, non-licensed gun dealers to conduct background checks on all gun buyers, including those who purchase guns over the internet. Fields said 40 percent of all guns sold nationwide are sold by private sellers and her proposal would prevent guns from getting in the hands of delinquents.

“Background checks are the only systematic way to stop felons, domestic abusers and seriously mentally ill and other dangerous people from buying firearms,” Fields said. Current law requires licensed gun dealers and gun show vendors to conduct background checks before gun sales and at gun shows in Colorado.

Aurora resident Karina Vargas, who was a 16-year-old Aurora Central High School student when a passing gang member shot her in 2010, testified in favor of the bill.

“Those who oppose this bill don’t think it’s a problem because they haven’t experienced gun violence,” said Vargas, who is paralyzed from the waist down from the injuries she sustained during the shooting. “You take your kids to school thinking they’ll be safe and the unthinkable happens.”

Luis Guzman-Rincon, the gang member accused of shooting Vargas, was convicted of attempted murder in November 2012 and sentenced to 35 years in prison. Federal immigration officials say he was in the country illegally. Under Fields’ bill, undocumented residents would not be able to purchase firearms, according to Ronald Sloan, the director of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

Sloan also said people whose background checks reveal they are mentally ill, addicted to drugs, or have committed crimes would also be prohibited from purchasing guns.

Aurora resident Jessica Watts, whose cousin, Jonathan Blunk, was killed in the Aurora theater shootings, said she is also in support of Fields’ proposal.

“Not only was (Blunk) in the Navy but his dream was to become a Navy SEAL and he never got that chance because he was affected by gun violence,” she said.

James Holmes, who is accused of killing Blunk and 11 others at the Century Aurora theater purchased his weapons legally from businesses that run background checks, according to court documents.

He purchased other items including ammunition and body armor online. Records show he had purchased a few weapons before meeting with his psychologist, and some committee members said Fields’ bill would not have prevented the July 20 attack.

Fields said her gun proposal wasn’t put forward to address the Aurora theater shooting or any other mass shooting.

“This is designed to close a loophole,” she said. If passed, Fields’ bill would cost the state about $1.6 million during the 2013-14 fiscal year with the addition of 25 new full-time employees who would ensure that background checks are done efficiently and effectively.

Several opponents of the proposal said the bill infringed on their constitutional right to bear arms.

James Winchester, a retired attorney and vice president of the Colorado State Shooting Association, likened Fields’ bill to putting undue burdens on voters.

“It’s like waiting in line to vote, bringing your photo ID, having your background criminally investigated, and waiting for hours or maybe days to exercise your right to vote,” he said.

It currently takes about a week for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to conduct background checks on people interested in purchasing guns, Winchester said.

Daniel Carey, a Colorado lobbyist for the National Rifle Association, said the proposal puts an undue burden on private gun sellers.

“This bill unnecessarily looks to make criminals out of family members and law-abiding citizens … and is going to do nothing to curb criminal activities,” he said.

Carey said 92 percent of the NRA’s official 5 million members nationwide are against universal background checks, and only 4 percent of gun owners acquire guns from dealers and gun shows combined.

Some opponents were also concerned that the bill would make it illegal for guns to be transferred to family members. However, the bill contains a provision that would allow guns to be temporarily loaned for hunting and sporting events or self-defense, and to be given as gifts to immediate family members.

More than 100 people signed up to testify on Fields’ bill and another bill that would have limited high capacity magazines. More than 200 people attended the hearing.

The bill will now go on to the House Appropriations Committee.

Supporters and opponents were limited to two hours of testimony, which was enough time for about 15 people from each side to speak. The audience was reprimanded twice during the 6-hour hearing for shouting and groaning.

Reach reporter Sara Castellanos at 720-449-9036 or sara@aurorasentinel.com. Staff writer Brandon Johansson contributed to this report.