Right To Carry And Local Preemption Become Law In Colorado

Thanks to all of your hard work and phone calls, Tuesday, March 18th was a triumphant one for Colorado gun owners. Governor Bill Owens (R) signed both Senate Bill 24, sponsored by Senator Ken Chlouber (R-04) and Representative Al White (R-57), and Senate Bill 25, sponsored by Senator Jim Dyer (R-26). SB 24 establishes a statewide "shall issue" Right to Carry system, and SB 25 preempts local guns laws, including both the Denver and Colorado Springs gun registries and the Denver assault weapons law. Both laws will take effect immediately.

Our thanks go out to Governor Owens and the legislature for making Colorado a safer place to live. Coloradans will no longer have to worry about onerous local regulations when traveling through the state, and all law-abiding citizens will be able to defend themselves and their families if they choose. You can contact Governor Owens here to thank him.

Summary of SB 24 & SB 25

SB 25

• Requires cities that ban the open carry of firearms to post the specific places where guns are prohibited
• Allows people to carry guns within reach in vehicles, which is currently banned in Denver
• Prohibits localities from maintaining databases of firearm purchasers
• Overturns local fireams laws, including Denver`s assault weapons ban

SB 24

• Sets statewide standards for issuing conceal-carry permits
• Requires sheriffs to issue conceal-carry permits to law-abiding citizens who pass a background check and safety course. The current system allows them to deny permits based on their own judgement
• Sets maximum fees that localities may charge for permits