Republican lawmakers are working hard to restore Second Amendment rights in Colorado.
For decades United States citizens have seen the rights granted them under the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution eroded. A number of measures now being considered in the Colorado legislature seek to restore some of what has been taken against our nation’s forefathers’ wishes.
The federal government, courts and state lawmakers have all been complicit in placing unconstitutional mandates on the right to keep and bear arms. From restrictions on the types of arms citizens can own to regulating when and where our rights begin and end have been unduly placed upon citizens.
There are now a number of bills being considered at the Colorado state capitol that gun owners and defenders of the Constitution should be aware of and support.
Further, while the House has acted and is likely to pass these bills (if they haven’t already), passage in the Senate is far from a sure thing. Colorado residents need to contact their elected officials at the capitol and have their voices heard (click here if you don’t know what district you live in)!
House Bill 1092 – Concerning the authority of a law-abiding person to carry a concealed handgun without a permit
The conceal carry permit law in Colorado places a ridiculous time and financial burden on legal gun owners, county governments and the state itself. Sponsored by Representative Kevin Priola, R-Henderson, this bill eliminates the need for a conceal carry permit if a person is otherwise legally allowed to own a handgun.
There mere fact that a person must spend money and obtain a permit simply to exercise their Constitutional rights is asinine.
It makes absolutely no sense that under current law, I can slap a gun in a holster to my belt and walk around legally with it in full view to the public (open carry). However, if I put a coat on that takes the gun out of view, I have to get a permit.
This bill eliminates the permit requirement but keeps in place existing restrictions on conceal carrying on school grounds and other locations lawmakers feel are sensitive.
The permit process itself would however remain in place and some gun owners may continue to obtain one. The one benefit of the permit is that it allows its holder to conceal carry in 30 states that have reciprocity agreements with Colorado.
It is important to note that the County Sheriffs of Colorado do not oppose the measure.
The bill was referred back to the House Judiciary Committee where it will certainly be sent to the full House and then on to the Senate soon.
Adams County’s Democratic representatives in the House, Judy Solano, Ed Casso and John Soper all voted against the measure and against the Second Amendment of the Constitution.
House Bill 1048 – Concerning relieving the Colorado Bureau of Investigation of its statutory duties as a point of contact for the national instant criminal background check system in cases of firearm transfers
When any law abiding citizen wishes to purchase a gun, they must undergo redundant background checks. One by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) and a second, redundant check performed by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) InstaCheck.
The duplicative background check performed by CBI is unnecessary when the NICS check is already being performed. Further, the elimination of InstaCheck would save taxpayers nearly $2 million per year.
This is simply a commonsense measure to stop placing unneeded restrictions on gun owners’ Second Amendment rights and wasting money.
HB 1048 has passed the House Judiciary Committee and now awaits action in the Finance Committee.
House Bill 1088 – Concerning the use of deadly physical force against a person who makes an illegal entry into a place of business
Dubbed the “Make My Day Better” law, this bill is a natural extension of existing Colorado law that allows a homeowner to use deadly force to protect themselves in their home. Under this legislation it would strike the word ‘homes’ in existing law and replace it with ‘dwellings and places of business.’
If there is a threat of physical force against an employee or other person in a place of business, Colorado citizens would be allowed to use deadly force if needed to stay safe. This measure is what one could call a ‘no brainer’ – The right to protect yourself doesn’t end at your home’s doorstep.
HB 1088 has passed the House and now awaits action in the Senate State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee.
For Adams County citizens, it is important to note that liberal Democrat Representative Judy Solano voted against this measure. Apparently she doesn’t think you should be able to defend yourself. Even fellow Adams County Democrats Ed Casso and John Soper voted in favor.
House Bill 1064 – Concerning the prohibition of limitations concerning firearms during an official state of emergency
The looting in the wake of Hurricane Katrina would have been much worse were it not for gun owners. Despite laws on the books to protect gun owners and their right to keep and bear arms, law enforcement illegally seized many arms after the disaster.
Sponsored by Representative Amy Stephens, R-Colorado Springs, HB 1064 simply seeks to ensure our Second Amendment rights are not squashed when there is an emergency. If you were allowed to own or carry firearm before the disaster, the measure ensures you will be able to continue to do so during and after the event.
Certainly one would think that when disaster strikes, our Constitutional rights would not be pushed by the wayside. Despite this basic fact, in the past this has happened.
During Hurricane Katrina, law enforcement officers and National Guard troops illegally confiscated firearms from law abiding citizens simply defending their property from looters (see the video below).
The Colorado Constitution in Article II, Section 13 should provide adequate protection as it reads, “The right of no person to keep and bear arms in defense of his home, person and property, or in aid of the civil power when thereto legally summoned, shall be called into question.”
However, Louisiana had similar language in their constitution and yet it happened. Since then, they have passed a similar law to Colorado’s proposed measure making it a total of 31 states that feel these types of protections are necessary. We need to follow suit.
HB 1064 has passed the House and is now awaiting action in the Senate.
When the measure came up for a vote in the house, once again leftist Representative Judy Solano demonstrated how out of touch she is. She was the sole representative from Adams County to vote against the measure.
