Rocky Mountain Voice

Tag: Gun rights

New rules take effect July 1 for Colorado gun owners seeking concealed carry permits
Approved, kdvr.com, State

New rules take effect July 1 for Colorado gun owners seeking concealed carry permits

By Heather Willard | Fox31 DENVER (KDVR) — A law changing the requirements for concealed firearm carry permits will go into effect on July 1, and gun owners should be aware of what is changing. In just under a month, anyone who wants to renew or apply for a concealed weapons permit must complete further steps, due to HB-24-1174. The new law drew criticism from gun rights groups, which said the law could deter gun owners who would otherwise carry their firearms. If you’re renewing your concealed carry permit, the law requires that the applicant “demonstrate competence with a handgun,” which can be done through participating in organized shooting competitions, current military service, or current certifications as a peace officer. You can also show competence ...
“Aptitude test for your rights?” Mesa County pushes back on SB3 in letter to the DOJ
Approved, Local, National, Rocky Mountain Voice, State, Top Stories

“Aptitude test for your rights?” Mesa County pushes back on SB3 in letter to the DOJ

By Jen Schumann | Rocky Mountain Voice Would you need a perfect GPA to speak your mind or worship freely? Mesa County officials say Colorado’s new gun law is treating the Second Amendment that way – and they’ve asked the U.S. Department of Justice to intervene. In a three-page letter sent this month, the Mesa County Board of Commissioners urged federal authorities to investigate Senate Bill 25-003, calling it a “grotesque misuse of government power” that effectively imposes a discriminatory test on anyone wishing to lawfully own or carry a firearm. The law, which takes effect in August 2026, requires residents to complete state-approved firearms training, score 90% on a written exam and obtain conditional approval from their sheriff’s office every five years in order to receive or...
10-year gun ban for car thieves: Polis signs HB 1174 into law
Approved, Colorado Politics, State

10-year gun ban for car thieves: Polis signs HB 1174 into law

By Marissa Ventrelli | Colorado Politics Gov. Jared Polis on Monday signed a bill prohibiting anyone convicted of car theft in the first degree from owning a gun during a visit to the Pueblo Chamber of Commerce. In Colorado, motor vehicle theft in the first degree is a Class 3 felony, carrying a prison sentence of up to 12 years and fines ranging from $3,000 to $750,000. Under House Bill 1171, individuals who have maintained a clean record can petition for a court order, allowing them to own a gun 10 years after their case has been resolved. "Today, we are taking important steps to make Colorado one of the top 10 safest states in the nation," Polis said. "From now on, anyone convicted of first-degree motor vehicle theft ineligible to possess a firearm, keeping guns out of the w...
Bent County declares Second Amendment Sanctuary, defies SB25-003
denvergazette.com, Local, State

Bent County declares Second Amendment Sanctuary, defies SB25-003

By Marissa Ventrelli | Denver Gazette An eastern Colorado county has passed a resolution declaring itself a “Second Amendment Sanctuary” in opposition to a bill passed by the legislature this year that requires individuals to participate in safety training to be eligible to purchase certain types of firearms. On May 15, the Bent County Board of Commissioners and Bent County Sheriff unanimously passed a resolution declaring that no county resources will be used to enforce provisions of Senate Bill 003 that have not been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. The bill, which was signed into law last month, requires individuals to take a hunting safety course through Colorado Parks and Wildlife to be able to purchase semiautomatic firearms with detachable magazines. Sheriffs’ departments ...
Montana governor urges gunmakers to ditch Colorado after new weapons ban
Approved, Fox News, National, State

Montana governor urges gunmakers to ditch Colorado after new weapons ban

By Alec Schemmel | Fox News FIRST ON FOX: GOP Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte is launching a video campaign to remind gun manufacturers in Colorado that if they move just a few hundred miles to the north, they can be free of one of the nation's most restrictive gun control bills signed into law earlier this month in their state. "Do you want to move back to America?" Gianforte is asking Colorado gunmakers, after Democratic Gov. Jared Polis signed S.B. 25-003 into law earlier this month. The new law, which is slated to go into effect in August 2026, effectively bans the manufacture, sale or purchase of semi-automatic firearms that accept detachable magazines, which include most AR-15s and AK-47 rifles sold in the United States. Some tactical shotguns and a few select handguns wi...
Concealed carry permits spike in Denver as new rules loom
Approved, Axios Denver, Local

Concealed carry permits spike in Denver as new rules loom

By Esteban L. Hernandez | Axios Denver Obtaining a concealed carry permit in Denver, already home to some of the state's strictest gun laws, will soon require additional steps. The big picture: A state law taking effect July 1 will add new requirements for obtaining concealed carry licenses, including mandating eight hours of in-person instruction and passing a live-fire test, where a person must shoot a minimum of 50 rounds. Why it matters: The new law will add barriers for responsible gun owners, including costlier training for a permit type that's grown in popularity over the past five years, as Colorado's gun laws grow increasingly restrictive. Yes, but: The city's chief compliance officer, Mary Dulacki, tells us she doesn't presume the new req...
Colorado background checks surge as gun rights restrictions advance
Approved, completecolorado.com, State

Colorado background checks surge as gun rights restrictions advance

By Sherrie Peif | Complete Colorado DENVER — Data put out by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reporting the number of background checks by the month, shows a trend in Colorado relating to gun rights restrictions being pushed through the legislature every year at this time. For years, Colorado residents appear to race to secure new gun purchases during the latter part of the legislative session when majority Democrats are known to rapidly advance their anti-gun agenda. To date the legislature has introduced 22 bills dealing with gun rights and restrictions in some fashion. Of those, 18 restrict rights, and many are awaiting the governor’s signature; four expanded rights, three of which have lost; and two others are relatively neutral and are awaiting hearings. The Nati...
95,000 petitions delivered to the Capitol, urging Polis to veto SB25-003
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State, Top Stories

95,000 petitions delivered to the Capitol, urging Polis to veto SB25-003

By Tori Ganahl | Rocky Mountain Voice A group of conservative leaders took a bold stand for gun rights today at the Colorado State Capitol. Between Rocky Mountain Gun Owners (RMGO) and the Colorado State Shooting Association, nearly 95,000 petitions were delivered on Thursday calling on Governor Jared Polis to veto SB25-003, the controversial “safety training” bill that critics say imposes unconstitutional restrictions on the Second Amendment. The Capitol demonstration came just one day after Colorado’s Republican congressional delegation issued a formal letter to Governor Polis demanding a veto of SB25-003.  The letter—organized by U.S. Representative Jeff Crank and signed by Lauren Boebert, Jeff Hurd, and Gabe Evans—called the bill “one of the most restrictive gun ownership...
NRA joins El Paso County man in suing to stop voter-approved Colorado excise tax on guns, ammo
Approved, KRDO.COM, State

NRA joins El Paso County man in suing to stop voter-approved Colorado excise tax on guns, ammo

By Sadie Buggle | KRDO COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – The National Rifle Association (NRA) is joining a number of gun rights organizations and an El Paso County resident in filing a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality a 6.5% excise tax on guns and ammo sold in Colorado, set to go into effect today, April 1. Proposition KK was passed by voters in November. It creates a 6.5% excise tax on firearm-related purchases in the state of Colorado. Firearm dealers, manufacturers and ammunition sellers are responsible for paying the new tax on their retail sales. The tax revenue will be used to fund crime victim support services, mental health services for veterans and youth, and school safety programs. The lawsuit was filed Monday in Denver District Court by the NRA, the Firearms ...
House Democrats push “most outrageous” SB25-003 forward after 12-hour hearing
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State, Top Stories

House Democrats push “most outrageous” SB25-003 forward after 12-hour hearing

By RMV Staff | Rocky Mountain Voice The sheriff in town may be tasked with the administrative burden of weighing in on your future firearm purchase, if Democrat lawmakers have their say. Although sheriffs from El Paso, Lake, Mesa and Weld counties testified that Senate Bill 25-003 is both unconstitutional and difficult to enforce, the House Judiciary Committee advanced the legislation after twelve hours of testimony. The bill started as a full ban on manufacturing and selling semiautomatic guns but has since been watered down.  The latest version still imposes severe restrictions, requiring would-be buyers to navigate an onerous and bureaucratic process, including an additional background check, training requirements and even sheriff approval. House Republicans took to Twi...