Bill Summary for Bill Number HB12-1092

Date: 02/09/2012

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB12-1092

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Refer House Bill 12-1092 to the Committee of the W	PASS

05:03 PM -- House Bill 12-1092

The committee came back to order. Representative Priola, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 12-1092 concerning the authority of a law-abiding person to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. Current law prohibits carrying a concealed weapon and carrying a weapon on school, college, or university grounds with certain exceptions. This bill expands the exceptions to include any person who is at least 21 years old and who may legally possess a handgun under United States and Colorado law. Pursuant to the bill, anyone who may legally possess a handgun and who carries a concealed handgun has the same rights and is subject to the same limitations as a concealed handgun permit holder. Unlawfully carrying a concealed weapon is a class 2 misdemeanor and unlawfully carrying a weapon on school, college, or university grounds is a class 6 felony.

05:05 PM -- Amy Miller, representing the Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence, testified in opposition to the bill.

05:09 PM -- Eileen McCarron, representing the Colorado Ceasefire Capitol Fund, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. McCarron discussed the shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and 18 others in Arizona in January 2011. She listed her concerns with individuals carrying concealed firearms. Ms. McCarron responded to questions from the committee.

05:15 PM -- Chief George Hughes, representing the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police, testified in opposition to the bill. Chief Hughes expressed his opinion about the importance of a permitting process for carrying concealed firearms, especially for the safety of law enforcement officers. He emphasized that the chiefs do not advocate removing the permitting process or making it any more burdensome.

05:19 PM -- Daniel Carey, representing the National Rifle Association, testified in support of the bill.

05:20 PM -- Joe Neville, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Neville read a prepared statement about the free exercise of Second Amendment rights to bear arms. He responded to questions from the committee. He distributed a fact sheet about the bill (Attachment E) and explained the written material.

05:28 PM -- Jimmy West, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. West expressed his opinion that many people cannot afford to pay the application fee for a concealed carry permit, which is a form of discrimination against poor people. He stated that poor people are just as law-abiding as those with enough money to obtain a permit. Mr. West responded to questions from the committee.

05:32 PM -- John Daniel, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Daniel stated his opinion that current concealed carry laws have not resulted in mass murders in Colorado. He believes the state should extend trust to the law-abiding people of the state who wish to carry a concealed firearm. Mr. Daniel responded to questions from the committee.

05:34 PM -- Robert Edmiston, representing the Firearms Coalition of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Edmiston cited research studies about gun use and ownership. He expressed his opinion that criminals are not concerned with permits.

05:36 PM -- Dave Gill, representing the Colorado State Shooting Association, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Gill spoke about similar laws in other states.

05:38 PM -- Pam Volpe, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Volpe spoke about her experience working with an organization called Safety for Women and Responsible Motherhood. She discussed the success of the current concealed carry permit structure in Colorado and expressed her opinion that the bill will not change anything.

05:41 PM

Representative Priola wrapped up his presentation of the bill and asked for a favorable recommendation. He provided statistics about the benefits of carrying a concealed firearm.


BILL:	HB12-1092
TIME:	05:44:21 PM
MOVED:	Sonnenberg
MOTION:	Refer House Bill 12-1092 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 6-3, with 2 excused.
SECONDED:	DelGrosso
		VOTE
	DelGrosso	Yes
	Duran	Excused
	Kagan	No
	Lee	Excused
	Nikkel	Yes
	Pabon	No
	Ryden	No
	Sonnenberg	Yes
	Waller	Yes
	Barker	Yes
	Gardner B.	Yes

Final YES: 6 NO: 3 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS