Revealing Politics recently released a new clip of Colorado State Senator Mary Hodge (D-Brighton) asking for a “no vote” on an amendment that would create an exemption from the “high-capacity” magazine limit for members of the military and their families.  Her rationale has caused some consternation among Coloradans:

“Yes, these are all great and wonderful people, but some of them come back with significant mental health problems that I think we need to check through that first.”

The video continues by noting that Senator Hodge wants to “test a soldier’s mental health to determine if they can keep a freedom…they just risked their lives to protect.”

It’s safe to assume Hodge is referring to post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD that affects some members of the military.  She’s may not know this, but police officers also suffer from mental illness, including PTSD.

Beyond the seriousness of mental health issues (which are not at all addressed in this legislation or in any serious way in the Democrats’ talking points on gun control) , Hodge also has a history of odd legislative judgment.  In 2007, Hodge introduced legislation that would forbid anyone from requiring human microchipping in the state.  After becoming the butt of jokes, Hodge pulled her own bill, telling the Rocky Mountain News, “I haven’t done the background work to get people prepared for the concept.”

Perhaps she hasn’t done the necessary “background work” on this issue either.  One would have thought that after the public flogging she received in 2007, she would know better than to present an argument without the legwork.  Perhaps she’s already forgotten, or maybe she simply doesn’t respect the sacrifices that the men and women in the military make on her behalf?