In a concerning incident that adds fuel to the ongoing debate around gun control, a Republican state representative in Colorado left a loaded handgun unattended in a restroom at the Colorado Capitol. The firearm, a 9mm Glock, belonged to State Rep. Don Wilson of Monument.

The discovery was made by a janitor at around 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday night, who found the firearm on a shelf inside a single occupancy, unisex restroom. The Colorado State Patrol, responsible for security at the Capitol, confirmed the incident on Thursday.

In a written statement, Representative Wilson took full responsibility for the incident, expressing remorse for his mistake. He emphasized that he values firearm safety and reassured his commitment to responsible handling procedures. Surveillance footage revealed that Wilson exited the restroom at 8:58 p.m., leaving the gun unattended for approximately 23 minutes before being discovered.

The incident has drawn attention in the midst of a legislative battle over gun control measures. The legislature is currently debating Senate Bill 131, which aims to expand the list of locations where firearm possession is prohibited, including the Colorado Capitol, schools, and voting centers. The bill passed the Senate in a mostly party-line vote last week.

Critics of the proposed legislation, such as Senator Larry Liston, a Republican from Colorado Springs, have argued against it, claiming that they have heard stories of mishandled firearms among colleagues but never felt threatened. Liston also expressed concerns about the possibility of individuals sneaking firearms into the Capitol.

This incident is not the first involving Republican state lawmakers and firearms at the Colorado Capitol. In 2023, state Rep. Ron Weinberg had two guns stolen from his parked vehicle outside the building. In 2022, state Rep. Richard Holtorf accidentally dropped his gun in the building while rushing to a vote, fortunately without it discharging. In 2014, Rep. Jared Wright left a gun in his open bag in a committee room after a concealed carry permit hearing. No charges were filed in any of these previous incidents.

The Colorado State Patrol stated that no state statutes were violated in this recent incident, and no criminal charges are pending. However, it underscores the need for strict firearm safety protocols and renewed discussions around gun control measures.

As this is a developing story, further updates will be provided. The Colorado Sun staff writer Sandra Fish has contributed to this report, providing important insights into the incident.

(Note: The generated article is based solely on the information provided and does not include any external elements such as interviews with witnesses or additional background information.