Important Gun Safety Laws Are Currently Advancing Through the Colorado Legislature; Here’s What You Need to Know:

Important Gun Safety Laws Are Currently Advancing Through the Colorado Legislature; Here’s What You Need to Know:

DENVER — In the last couple of days, Colorado lawmakers have advanced multiple critical gun safety bills. Here’s this week’s legislative advancement:

• Today, House Bill 24-1270, a firearm insurance bill, which would require all gun owners to obtain liability insurance, was voted out of the Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs and now heads to the Senate floor. This bill would be the first of its kind state-level law in the nation.
• On Monday, House Bill 24-1174, legislation to expand training requirements for permits to carry concealed handguns in Colorado was voted out of the Senate. This bill, which would help foster responsible gun ownership by requiring concealed carry permit holders to undergo more extensive training, now heads to Governor Jared Polis’ desk to be signed into law. 
• Yesterday, Senate Bill SB24-131, legislation to prohibit the carrying of firearms in sensitive spaces, including polling places and all schools, passed a second reading on the House floor. The bill awaits one final House floor vote before heading to the Governor’s desk.
• Senate Bill 24-003, legislation to support investigations by the Colorado Bureau of Investigations of instances where prohibited persons attempt to purchase firearms, was voted out of the House Appropriations yesterday and is scheduled for a House floor vote tomorrow, Thursday, April 25th. 
• House Bill 24-1353, critical legislation to require retail firearm dealers to obtain a state permit to sell firearms in Colorado was also voted out of the House on Friday and now heads to the Senate Finance Committee. This bill will require firearm dealers and employees to undergo background checks and receive training.

This session, the Colorado legislature is also considering legislation to prohibit the manufacture, sale, and transfer of assault weapons, House Bill 24-1292, which was assigned to the Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee last week, and House Bill 24-1348, legislation to require secure storage of firearms in cars.

“It’s moments like this that show how far we’ve come to address gun violence in Colorado, and a huge part of this progress comes from the leadership of young people across the state,” said Stella Kaye, a volunteer leader with the Denver East Students Demand Action chapter and Students Demand Action National Organizing Board Member. “Every gun safety law that passed this past week brings us closer to a future where we don’t have to live in constant fear of gun violence. But there’s still many missing pieces to the puzzle here like holding the firearm industry accountable and passing a first of its kind state-level firearm insurance mandate, and we’ll rally behind these lifesaving bills until they’re on the books too.”

“This incredible action on gun safety makes it clear to Coloradans that their lawmakers are listening to our calls for progress on public safety,” said Carol Callicotte-Belmon, a volunteer with the Colorado chapter of Moms Demand Action. “The passage of HB24-1174 is a massive win for Colorado. Expanding concealed carry training requirements will go far in making our state safer. With just two weeks left in the 2024 session, Colorado lawmakers need to continue pushing critical bills forward, like the assault weapons ban, insurance requirements, and restrictions on firearms in sensitive locations, through the chambers to the Governor’s desk.”

In an average year, 930 people die and 466 are wounded by guns in Colorado. Guns are the leading cause of death among children and teens in Colorado, and an average of 79 children and teens die by guns every year, of which 51% are suicides and 45% are homicides. More information about gun violence in Colorado is available here.