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Bill to repeal conceal and carry permit requirement passes House
March 1st, 2011, 6:29 pm · 17 Comments · posted by jschroyer
A bill to repeal the requirement for a permit to carry a concealed firearm passed the state House of Representatives on Tuesday on a voice vote. If it succeeds at the state Capitol, Coloradans would no longer have to shell out $152 for a permit to carry a gun.
“This is not James Bond. This is not a license to shoot people,” said the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Chris Holbert, R-Parker. “This is just to allow people to carry a gun under your coat.”
Holbert said his bill wouldn’t make it easier for criminals to purchase guns, because buyers would still have to pass background checks. He also said it’s already legal for Coloradans to carry guns in their cars without having conceal and carry permits.
Carrying a concealed weapon without a permit is currently a Class 2 misdemeanor. Violators can be fined up to $250 and can spend up to three weeks in jail.
Several House Democrats slammed the measure, saying it would only increase gun violence. They invoked the January shooting in Tucson that left Congresswoman Gabriel Giffords in critical condition.
“This is not the time to make it easier for individuals to carry concealed weapons,” said Rep. Crisanta Duran, D-Denver. “This just simply goes too far.”
Republicans argued the reverse–that easing restrictions would increase public safety.
“Violence will go down throughout the state,” said Rep. Marsha Looper, R-Calhan. “This is a good bill for people and their families.”
Rep. Mark Waller, R-Colorado Springs, added, “If the bad guy is going to commit a crime, he’s going to commit a crime, whether or not he’s carrying it concealed or in the open,”
Though the bill is largely a Republican measure, Colorado Springs Democrat Pete Lee also voted in favor of it, both in the Judiciary Committee and on the floor of the House.
Like Holbert, Lee said he believes background checks are sufficient safeguards.
“The people I’m worried about are the ones who don’t comply and aren’t qualified–the criminals,” said Lee.
Alaska and Arizona currently do not require a permit to carry a concealed gun, and eight other states are considering similar legislation.
The measure will have to be approved one last time by the House before heading to the Democratically-controlled Senate.
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I’m okay with this but what do our local LEO’s think?
Sounds good to me. But I have the permit. I wonder how this affects reciprocy with other states?
I think this is a great idea, and I fully support it. Too bad the democrats in the Senate won’t. Pfffffffffft. I’m really liberal on most issues, but I think gun control is absolutely stupid. It’s a shame more progressives can’t see that.
“I’m okay with this but what do our local LEO’s think?”
No offense, but who cares what they think? As long as you’re OK with it, what does it matter? Law enforcement does not have your civil liberties, or any of your rights for that matter, anywhere on their list of priorities.
Way to be a community player, Erich. Newsflash .. you don’t live alone in this community. Before you bash LEO’s why don’t you try and be one. Asking people to register and take a class to conceal and carry is no different than asking them to register and take a class to get a driver’s license. Yeah there will be idiots who get behind the wheel uninsured and untrained. Does that mean we should eliminate requirements for all and effectively legalize stupidity? Apparently we’re on our way.
I am in favor of eliminating the requirement to have a concealed carry permit in the state of Colorado. It was nothing more than another means of generating revenue for the state.
As a means of gun control? That is laughable! National statistics have proven that gun control has had no effect on reducing the national crime rate.
Instead of clamoring for more ineffective gun control measures, our elected officials should do the job they were elected/paid to do – enforce the existing laws we already have on the books.
The liberals and the democrats love to portray the criminals as victims themselves and as a result these criminals are getting off on reduced charges or reduced sentences – if they even serve any time at all for the crimes they are convicted of. It is our own government bureaucracy that has exacerbated the crime rate by not providing enough of a deterrent to crime with stiffer sentencing of convicted criminals.
Zen: Maybe LEOs should learn to follow the constitution, then so many people wouldn’t bash them. Yes, I am speaking in generalities, and yes, there are many dedicated LEOs that actually respect citizens’ rights. In my experience, the vast majority do not.
As far as CC requirements, you should reread the second amendment.
It can be handled like Alaska, where they optionally have a permit.
Vermont honors our current permit and Vermont was the first state to go without a permit.
The law just needs to be written in a way that still covers reciprocity.
Only part of the story here. Yes, it is a money making business. Everybody and their brother are out to get you into a class, with all kinds of marketing skills. The class requirement is nothing more than gun safety. While that is good for someone new to firearm ownership, and even a good refresher for most, it’s still just a check in the box at the state level. The charges for the permit are high, county makes twice what CBI does. I can see many No CC signs popping up. What is going to happen to legally purchasing a firearm then? If this bill makes it through (which I doubt it will) the background check should also go away for purchases. I like the idea of being a responsible citizen and having a permit to carry, just not all the fees. Wonder if it will be a work-load reduction or a position elimination.
About time!Having been denied by our tinhorn sheriff for a twenty year old arrest record that resulted in dismissal[during a nasty divorce],I will not ask anyone’s permission to protect myself and family…….I will as soon as those with bad intent start asking for Constitutional rights!
“National statistics have proven that gun control has had no effect on reducing the national crime rate.”
Sure it does. Crime almost always drops in direct proportion to the lack of gun control.
As a local law enforcement officer, I am opposed to it. The current CCW program works just fine. Without the current process, any gang member or criminal who hasn’t yet been convicted of a crime could carry a concealed weapon. Do we really want that? What’s wrong with having someone scrutinize who is carrying concealed, and having them go through a gun safety class?
Sorry Erich, this has nothing to do with the Second Amendment. Anyone can carry a firearm out in the open. We are only talking about people who want to carry them concealed.
I have a CC to protect myself from criminals, and “law enforcement”. Or are they the same?
“any gang member or criminal who hasn’t yet been convicted of a crime could carry a concealed weapon.”
What stops gang members and criminals from carrying concealed now? The law? LOL!! They’re gangbangers and criminals. By definition, they don’t obey the law as it is.
“Sorry Erich, this has nothing to do with the Second Amendment”
In my opinion, it has everything to do with the second amendment. Ya know, that whole SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED part is pretty specific.
LongTimeCop, those gang members and criminals will carry whether it is legal or not. Remember the saying about outlaws and guns. Regardless of how many laws are passed, the bad guys will not obey them.
@erich – “. In my experience, the vast majority do not.” So just how many runs ins with LEO’s have you had? The only time I’ve ever dealt with the police is when I’ve commited a traffic violation (very few and far between) or they have knocked on my door while cnavasing the neighborhood for witnesses to a crime.
Maybe you’re doing something wrong.
Just what we need, unlicensed gun owners carrying concealed weapons….and will the House take responsibility for the increase in the death rate from gun violence?