The Colorado House of Representatives on Tuesday, June 1 advanced SB 21-256, a bill that would lift the state’s ban preventing local governments from passing stricter gun laws than those that exist in state law. Democrats have applauded the measure, while Republican lawmakers are objecting. It will be debated by the full House this morning.
The bill’s House sponsors Democratic Reps. Edie Hooton of Boulder and Lindsey Daugherty of Arvada presented their bill as a tool empowering local communities to take steps to prevent gun violence. The current shape of the bill was influenced by its debate last week before the House State, Civic, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee.
The floor of the House of Representatives at the Colorado State Capitol
According to the language of SB21-256:
“The regulation of firearms is a matter of state and local concern. Existing law prohibits a local government from enacting an ordinance, regulation, or other law that prohibits the sale, purchase, or possession of a firearm. The bill permits a local government to enact an ordinance, regulation, or other law governing or prohibiting the sale, purchase, transfer, or possession of a firearm, ammunition, or firearm component or accessory that is not less restrictive than state laws governing the sale, purchase, transfer, or possession of the firearm, ammunition, or firearm component or accessory. The local law may only impose a criminal penalty for a violation upon a person who knew or reasonably should have known that the person’s conduct was prohibited.
Existing law prohibits a local government from enacting an ordinance or resolution that conflicts with state law regarding concealed carry of handguns. The bill permits a local government, including a special district, and governing board of an institution of higher education to enact an ordinance, resolution, rule, or other regulation that prohibits a permittee from carrying a concealed handgun in a building or specific area within the local government’s or governing board’s jurisdiction, or for a special district, in a building or specific area under the direct control or management of the district. The local law may only impose a criminal penalty for a violation upon a person who knew or reasonably should have known that the person’s conduct was prohibited.”
“Gun violence prevention policies should be a matter of local control,” Hooton said as she introduced the bill on the House floor. “Violence and gun suicide are not a one-size-fits-all that local legislators should be forbidden from addressing.”
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