Analyst's note:  This is absolutely insane, if not purely evil in intent.  This proposed state action is said to be wrapped in the needed ability to assure good mental health in the citizens of Colorado as it relates to gun control.  I agree that mental health is an issue here ... the mental health of a growing number of politicians.  I find it further troubling that this kind of action can expected to follow specific party lines.

If there is a legitimate reason for detaining someone who is possibly mentally ill, it should come from the local level where people in the community know one another.  Up to now, we have all easily recognized the need for separation of federal, state and even the local police services, but this foundational principle is being ignored with the action being described here. 

[....] The new bill regarding the Secret Service, SB-13-013, passed on a nearly party line vote in the Democrat-controlled House and is now awaiting the governor’s signature. The bill grants members of the Secret Service arrest powers by considering them to be a peace officer, putting them on a par with state law-enforcement officials with respect to arrest authority.

The legislation does not only apply to agents guarding the president or other government officials but also to special agents, uniformed division officers, physical security technicians, physical security specialists and special officers of the United States Secret Service.

[....] Republican lawmakers say that when they asked why the bill was needed they were given a series of conflicting answers.

Sen. Kevin Lundberg, R-Berthoud, said he was told the purpose of the bill was to make it easier to hold a person for mental health reasons.

“When I asked in committee why they need this I was told it was so we can exercise 72-hour mental holds on our own citizens,” Lundberg said.

[....] “The mental health hold was what they testified to in committee, and that was the big thing they didn’t want to get out, but it does give them the authority to put that hold on people.”

Lundberg said the big concern is that the bill essentially places members of the Secret Service on an equal footing with law-enforcement, without being constrained by jurisdictional issues.

“If you look at the bill, it says they can operate alongside of local police authorities and function as equals you might say,” he said. “However, when you read it carefully it basically gives them state police power so whatever power a regular policeman such as the state patrol, sheriff’s office or local police has they will have also.”

[....] For instance, if the agent is responding to a non-federal felony or misdemeanor being committed in their presence, he has the full authority to arrest any Colorado citizen. [....]he Constitution, including the Second Amendment.