Colorado Democrats Advance Broad Package of New Gun Regulations

By: Savana Kascak | Complete Colorado

DENVER–A series of gun rights restrictions are at various stages in the Colorado’s legislative process, with some bills awaiting action by Gov. Polis, others still in the committee process, and a heavily negotiated gun barrel regulation bill held up in its final reading in the House.  

Red flag expansion

Senate Bill 26-004 ‘Expand List of Petitioners for Protection Orders’ passed third reading in the House on March 20 with a 39-24 vote and is awaiting action by Gov. Polis.

   

The Democrat sponsored bill dramatically expands those eligible to file for an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) under Colorado’s so-called ‘red flag’ law, to include teachers, health care providers and “institutional petitioners.’

If signed into law, health care facilities, behavioral health treatment facilities, K-12 schools, and higher education institutions will all be eligible to petition courts to seize the guns of those believed to own firearms and who might possible be a danger to themselves and others. 

A University of Colorado School of Medicine study found a high rate of rejection for ERPOS filed by non-law enforcement petitioners under the existing law, with a majority of applications filed by family members or romantic partners eventually being rejected after court scrutiny.  In total, the data shows about 20% of Colorado petitions result in wrongful confiscation.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT COMPLETE COLORADO