.png){kind=logo}
Legislation would strengthen firearm training requirements for concealed carry permits to ensure responsible gun ownership
DENVER, CO - The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation to strengthen firearm training requirements for concealed carry permits to promote responsible firearm ownership and protect Colorado communities from gun violence. HB24-1174 passed by a vote of 8-3.
“As a gun owner and a concealed carry permit holder, I’ve seen the gaps in Colorado’s firearm training and testing protocols that can lead to unsafe situations," said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. "Our policy is crucial in ensuring our concealed carry permits come with robust firearm knowledge, including instruction on federal and state gun laws, the use of deadly force for self defense, in-person gun handling, and safe storage and use of firearms to prevent accidental deaths. I’ve worked tirelessly during my time as a public servant on this bill, and I’m proud to sponsor legislation that will improve the safety of our communities and save Colorado lives.”
“Current Colorado law does not require in-person, live fire training before you can receive a concealed carry permit, putting guns into the hands of people who may have never touched a gun before in their life," said Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Manitou Springs. "This is a commonsense gun violence prevention bill that will ensure Coloradans have in-person training, protecting our communities and preventing accidental firearm deaths.”
In Colorado, a person can be issued a concealed carry permit if they complete a handgun training class by a verified firearms safety instructor, pass a background check, and demonstrate competence with a handgun.
HB24-1174 would require handgun training classes to be held in-person and include training on safe handling of firearms and ammunition, safe storage of firearms and child safety, safe firearms shooting fundamentals, federal and state firearm laws, state laws related to the use of deadly force for self-defense, and techniques for conflict resolution and judgmental use of lethal force. Under the bill, the handgun training class would include at least eight hours of instruction, including a live-fire exercise and a written exam that the student must receive passing scores on. The eight hour requirement may take place over multiple days.
The bill would also require a concealed handgun refresher class (refresher class) to be completed in order to renew a concealed carry permit. This refresher class must be at least two hours, including a passing score on both the live-fire exercise and written exam. The refresher class must also include instruction on changes to federal or state firearm laws.
HB24-1174 prohibits a person from being issued a permit if they have been convicted of certain misdemeanor offenses within five years of submitting a concealed carry permit application. The bill also makes it a deceptive trade practice for a person to claim to be a verified firearms safety instructor unless they have been verified by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
Majority Leader Duran sponsored a 2021 law that promotes responsible gun ownership by ensuring that gun owners properly store their firearms when they are not in use, especially when children are present.