By Brian Porter | Rocky Mountain Voice
A swing for the fence by Republican Rep. Ron Weinberg to affirm the Second Amendment rights of Coloradans in law was killed this week in committee, but even Mickey Mantle struck out once in every five at-bats.
House Bill 25-1164, the constitutional carry bill by Weinberg, was killed by the House’s State, Civic, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee on a party-line, 8-3, vote Monday. It was supported by Republican Reps. Scott Bottoms, Brandi Bradley and Stephanie Luck. There are 29 states with constitutional carry laws.
The bill would have simply allowed anyone who can legally possess a firearm to be unrestricted from doing so by the state, or at least as unrestricted as anyone with a concealed-carry permit. The measure would have repealed local government authority to regulate open or concealed carry of a handgun.
With the bill lost, there is other pro-firearm legislation for gun-rights advocates and gun owners to continue to watch in Colorado’s 75th Legislature.
HB 25-1055, by Republican Rep. Max Brooks, a measure to repeal the state’s requirements and state-issued permits for gun dealers is slated for a 1:30 p.m. hearing on Thursday, Feb. 27, in the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee.
“I understand these businesses sell firearms and that is just making the Democrats’ heads pop,” Brooks said on the Armed American Radio Show. “We ought to be treating these small business the same that we would if they were selling mufflers.”
ICYMI on Armed American Radio nat'l broadcast Sunday, CO State Rep @MBrooksHD45 Max Brooks explains the attacks by gun grabbers (Democrats) effects on firearm related businesses in the state. Subscribe to Armed American Radio on your fav podcast platform today! @lip_tac @2AFDN… pic.twitter.com/RsInSyMXmR
— Mark Walters (@aarmark) February 24, 2025
He terms the regulation gun dealers face as a strangulation on their business.
Common sense has left the building, as our businesses leave the state…https://t.co/jRsPDeJa1g
— Representative Ryan Armagost (@RepRyanArmagost) February 26, 2025
HB 25-1062, by Republican Rep. Ryan Armagost and Democrat Rep. Monica Duran, would revise and upgrade the penalty for firearm theft to a Class 6 felony, instead of a value-based theft like other items. It cleared the House’s Judiciary Committee on a 6-5 vote and is headed to appropriations. The fiscal note could doom the bill in a session where lawmakers have been told bills with an expense won’t proceed, but it has the majority leader as a sponsor.
HB 25-1232, by Republican Rep. Stephanie Luck, makes a property owner liable for the harm done to a person on their property that could have been prevented had the person been allowed to be armed in self-defense. The bill will be heard March 5 in the House’s Judiciary Committee.
On March 4, HB 25-1067, by Republican Rep. Ken DeGraaf, a bill concerning asset forfeiture in criminal court proceedings, is set to be heard in the House’s Judiciary Committee.