Posted 8:23 a.m. | Updated 9:43 a.m. A Republican-led attempt to expand gun rights and ease controls adopted by Colorado after mass shootings in 2012 failed Monday following the testimony of survivors of gun violence and activists.
It was the second consecutive year a Democrat-led House panel rejected efforts to scale back laws adopted in 2013.
Rejected Monday were a bill to allow concealed carry of handguns on public school grounds; a bill to repeal a 15-round magazine limit that was adopted in 2013; and a bill to allow active-duty military personnel to carry concealed handguns without permits.
Late Monday, a bill removing all permits for concealed carry and another expanding protections against prosecution when a business owner or employee uses deadly force against an intruder were also rejected.
What the bills proposed:
- Rejected: Senate bill 17 would allow a person who legally possesses a handgun under state and federal law to carry a concealed handgun in Colorado. Advocates say this removes the need for a permit, but the bill's fiscal note assumes that "most persons will continue to apply for these permits in order to be eligible for reciprocal rights in other states."
- Rejected: House bill 1023 seeks to expand the state's "Make My Day" law to allow people to defend their place of business with deadly force. So if an owner, manager, or employee reasonably believes that an intruder is trying to commit a crime other than unlawful entry, then they would be permitted to use physical force against the intruder.
- Rejected: House bill 1024 would repeal the large-capacity ammunition magazine ban passed in 2013.
- Rejected: House bill 1179 would create an exception to the state's concealed carry permit process for active duty military with a concealed handgun. Normally, in order to lawfully carry a concealed gun, you need to have a permit in Colorado.
- Rejected: House bill 1204 would have allowed people with a concealed carry permit onto public school grounds with their weapon. Currently, it is a class 6 felony for a person with a concealed carry permit to bring a weapon to a public school.
