Rep. Laura Bradford Will Not Be Charged For Drinking In Posession Of A Firearm; Denver DA Doesn't Have Enough Evidence

The Denver District Attorney's Office has decided not to file charges against State Representative Laura Bradford (R-Grand Junction), who, during a traffic stop in late January, allegedly had been in possession of a firearm while intoxicated.

Rep. Bradford was driving home from the Capitol Hill area on the evening of January 25 when she was pulled over. Police say she admitted to having several drinks, but due to a little-known clause in the Colorado Constitution, Bradford had legislative immunity and could not be arrested.

During the stop, Bradford told the officers she had a handgun in her car and showed them her concealed carry permit for it. In an interview with 7News, she further stated:

"I said 'There is a weapon under the front seat of the car, so when you're searching I just don't want you to stumble on it. So if you don't mind, officer, would you please reach under the front seat of my car and pull out my weapon? The cartridge is in it, so why don't you just disengage that, and if you don't mind hand me my weapon.' "

In Colorado, any person in possession of a firearm while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or of a controlled substance is guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor.

The Denver DA has declined to file charges against Bradford. DA spokeswoman Lynn Kimbrough told Fox31 that prosecutors examined the "totality of the evidence" and decided they wouldn't be able to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.

A Colorado House Ethics Committee, convened for the first time Monday to look into the incident with Bradford, seeks copies of police records from the night of the incident. According to the Denver Post, the committee plans to meet again next Monday. Alternatively, as explained by The Gazette's John Schroyer: