Pair of Bills to Promote Gun Safety Clear Committee
Legislation aims to reduce gun thefts from vehicles, strengthen firearm training requirements for concealed carry permits
DENVER, CO – Today the Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee voted to advance two bills to reduce gun thefts from vehicles and strengthen firearm training requirements for concealed carry permits.
HB24-1348, sponsored by Senators Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont, and Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, would require firearms in unattended vehicles to be stored in locked containers to reduce firearm thefts. The bill would also require vehicle safe storage information to be published on the Office of Suicide Prevention’s website and displayed at gun stores.
“Safe storage of firearms in vehicles or at home is an effective way to keep guns out of the hands of the wrong people and create safer communities,” said Jaquez Lewis. “Last year, there were 1,221 guns reported stolen in Denver. This bill represents one of this year’s many efforts to reduce gun violence in Colorado and I’m proud to see it move forward today.”
“We have seen alarming rates of firearms being stolen from vehicles in Colorado, including one instance here at the Capitol,” said Fields. “It’s on gun owners to responsibly and safely store their firearms – whether that’s in their home or their vehicle. This important bill promotes a commonsense gun safety practice that will help reduce theft and make our communities safer.”
The bill requires handguns to be stored in a hard-sided container and other firearms to be stored in a hard or soft-sided container. A person who violates this civil infraction can receive up to a $500 fine. The bill includes exemptions for antique firearms, non-handgun storage on a farm or ranch vehicle on private property, peace officers, military service members, and certain individuals engaged in hunting.
The committee also advanced HB24-1174, sponsored by Senator Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, to require handgun training classes to be held in-person and include training on:
Safe handling of firearms and ammunition;
Safe storage of firearms and child safety;
Safe firearm shooting fundamentals;
Federal and state firearm laws;
State laws related to the use of deadly force for self-defense;
Interacting with law enforcement who are responding to emergencies; and
Techniques for conflict resolution and judgmental use of lethal force.
“Responsible gun ownership takes work,” Mullica said. “Creating minimum training requirements for safe handling of firearms, shooting fundamentals and more ensures we’re treating concealed carry permits with the seriousness they deserve. Too often, careless gun owners create dangerous situations that needlessly put many others in harm's way. I’m proud to champion this important legislation that advances gun safety measures and helps prevent senseless gun violence.”
Under the bill, the handgun training class would include at least eight hours of instruction, including a live-fire exercise and a written exam with a minimum passing score. The bill would also require a concealed handgun refresher class to be completed in order to renew a concealed carry permit. The refresher class must be at least two hours, including a passing score on both the live-fire exercise and written exam, and must also include instruction on changes to federal or state firearm laws within the last five years.
Additionally, HB24-1174 would prohibit a person from being issued a permit if they have been convicted of certain misdemeanor offenses within five years of submitting a concealed carry permit application. The bill would also make it a deceptive trade practice for a person to claim to be a verified firearms safety instructor unless they have been verified by a county sheriff.
Both bills now move to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track HB24-1348 HERE and HB24-1174 HERE.