Concealed Carry Summary of Colorado's Concealed Carry Law
On Tuesday, March 18th, 2003, Colorado Governor Bill Owens signed into law a bill that was 10 years in the making. From the first salvo, fired in 1994's session, to 2003, it has been a contentious battle, spanning the entire careers of politicians and forcing a wide-ranging debate on the subject of citizens carrying concealed handguns. Below is an overview of what SB24 will mean to Colorado.
|
Issue |
SB24 Chlouber/White |
|
Max. cost and length |
$100 + fingerprint fee / 5 years (prior to SB24, Sheriffs could charge any fee) |
|
Max. renewal |
$50 |
|
New Criminal Safezones (no carry allowed except by criminals) |
Public elementary, middle, junior high or high school (p. 24) Facilities with security personnel and electronic weapons screening devices permanently in place at every entrance (p. 24) Facilities with security personnel electronically screening (such as handheld devices) (p. 24) |
|
Permit holders entered into CCIC, a statewide database for criminals |
Shared by law enforcement (p.17) |
|
Statewide database (Sheriffs decide if they will enter permit holders) |
Sunsets in 2011 |
|
Criteria |
Is 21 years of age (p. 8) Is a legal Colorado resident (p. 8) Long list, including federal and existing state prohibitions for possessing a firearm. (starting on p. 7) Does not chronically and habitually use alcoholic beverages (p. 8) Has not had two or more alcohol-related convictions within last 10 years (p. 6) Is not, at time of application, subject to a restraining order (including temporary)(p. 9) Is not an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance (p. 8) Not convicted of perjury in relation to a concealed weapons application (p. 8) |
|
Fingerprint gathering |
CBI may not keep the prints, but no prohibition on the FBI (p. 15) |
|
Maximum time before issuing or denying |
90 days |
|
Training (one of the following, though some of these items will be subject to interpretation by sheriff's departments) |
Documented participation in an organized shooting event Current military service Proof of honorable discharge from military within 10 years of application Evidence of being a certified instructor Retirement from a Colorado law enforcement agency within the last 10 years Handgun class within the last 10 years (p. 9) |
|
Expiration of existing permits |
June 2007 or initial expiration, whichever is sooner |
|
Arbitrary denial by sheriffs |
"Documented previous behavior" (p. 10) |
|
Legalized concealed carry in vehicle without permit |
(p. 12) |
|
Preemption (bars municipalities from creating criminal safezones, denying permits, etc) |
(p. 4 & 5) |
|
Bar Sheriffs from gathering firearms serial numbers |
Not addressed |
|
Reciprocity |
States that recognize Colorado permits (p. 23) Current list is here |
|
Bill length |
30 pages |
| Weapons vs. handguns | Only concealed handguns |
