Yesterday afternoon, Second Amendment advocates descended upon the state Capitol in Denver in support of a number of pro-gun bills, in what turned out to be a marathon set of committee hearings.
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard and passed two bills that are critical to the restoration of your Second Amendment rights and your ability to protect yourself and those that you love in the face of a violent attack.
Senate Bill 32, introduced by state Senator Vicki Marble (R-23), would allow all law-abiding Colorado residents to legally carry concealed without having to possess a concealed carry permit. This bill would also keep in place the current permitting system so that people who obtain a permit would still enjoy reciprocity in states around the country when legally carrying concealed.
Senate Bill 86, introduced by state Senator Kent Lambert (R-9), would repeal the egregious legislation passed in 2013 that requires a background check for the private transfer of a firearm between law-abiding citizens.
Both of these important pieces of legislation passed on a 3-2 vote. SB 32 has been referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee for a hearing and SB 86 has been sent to the Senate floor for their full consideration.
Unfortunately, the same positive outcome for gun owners that was seen in the Senate was not found in the House Committee on State, Veterans and Military Affairs. The House, still controlled by some of the same misguided legislators who stripped away your rights in 2013, voted down five pro-gun bills that would have restored your gun rights while also protecting small business owners and the ability for Coloradans to better protect themselves and their families.
House Bill 1009, introduced by state Representative Steve Humphrey (R-48), would have repealed the rights-infringing legislation passed into law during the 2013 legislative session that arbitrarily limits the number of rounds of ammunition you can use to protect yourself and your family to 15. It was defeated by a 6-5 vote.
House Bill 1049, introduced by state Representative Justin Everett (R-22), would have extended the protection and right to self-defense you currently have in your home, to your place of business. It was defeated by a 6-5 vote.
House Bill 1050, introduced by state Representative Janik Joshi (R-16), would have repealed the ineffective and onerous private transfer background check law that passed during the 2013 legislative session. It was defeated by a 6-5 vote.
House Bill 1086, introduced by state Representative Patrick Neville (R-45), would have mandated the timely transfers of certain lawful firearms by chief law enforcement officers to individuals once they have passed a background check. It was defeated by a 7-4 vote.
House Bill 1127, introduced by state Representative Gordon Klingenschmitt (R-15), would have admonished business owners who permit lawful concealed carry on their premise from any civil liability if an action were to take place. It was defeated by a 6-5 vote.
While a committee hearing has not yet been scheduled for SB 32 in the Senate Appropriations Committee, please use the contact information provided below to begin contacting members of the Committee and urging them to vote in support of SB 32. Please also contact your state Senator and voice your support for SB 86. Your NRA-ILA will keep you updated as hearings and votes on these critical bills are scheduled.
Although many pro-gun bills were defeated in committee yesterday, the fight is far from over as more NRA-backed legislation is expected to see action in the coming weeks. Please stay tuned to your email inbox and www.nraila.org for further updates.
Senate Appropriations Committee:
General Phone Number: (303) 866-4958
Senator Kevin Grantham (R-2), Chair
(303) 866-4877
kevin.grantham.senate@state.co.us
Senator Kent Lambert (R-9), Vice-Chair
(303) 866-4835
senatorlambert@comcast.net
Senator Rollie Heath (D-18)
(303) 866-4872
rollie.heath.senate@state.co.us
Senator Mary Hodge (D-25)
(303) 866-4855
mary.hodge.senate@state.co.us
Senator Jerry Sonnenberg (R-1)
(303) 866-6360
senatorsonnenberg@gmail.com
Senator Pat Steadman (D-31)
(303) 866-4861
pat.steadman.senate@state.co.us
Senator Laura Woods (R-19)
(303) 866-4840
laura.woods.senate@state.co.us
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