Hunters say they are boycotting Colorado over gun legislation

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper signs gun control measures in his office at the state capitol, March, 20, 2013, in Denver. The bills require background checks for private and online gun sales and ban ammunition magazines that hold more than 15 rounds. (Photo By RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post, RJ Sangosti, Pool)

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper signs  gun control measures in his office at the state capitol, March, 20, 2013, in Denver. The bills require background checks for private and online gun sales and ban ammunition magazines that hold more than 15 rounds. (Photo By RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post, RJ Sangosti, Pool)
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper signs gun control measures in his office at the state capitol, March, 20, 2013, in Denver. The bills require background checks for private and online gun sales and ban ammunition magazines that hold more than 15 rounds. (Photo By RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post, RJ Sangosti, Pool)
Associated Press

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Hunters across the country say they are boycotting Colorado because of recent legislation meant to curtail gun violence.

Colorado last week became the first Western state to ratchet back gun rights in response to mass shootings at a suburban Denver movie theater and an elementary school in Connecticut.

Opponents warned the gun controls would hurt hunters, especially an expansion of background-check requirements to apply to personal and online gun sales. Lawmakers changed the bill to accommodate hunters by exempting people using borrowed guns for less than 72 hours from the checks.

Colorado tourism chief Al White said Wednesday that there’s no immediate data showing any impact from a boycott.