The punitive proposed ban on semi-auto rifles that was just passed by the state House of Representatives and sent to the Senate for consideration isn’t the only restrictive legislation being considered in Colorado this session.
Democrat lawmakers, who have a majority in both the House and Senate, are also pushing a measure that would expand the list of “sensitive places” where lawful gun owners would be banned from carrying their firearms for self-defense.
The measure, SB 24-131, is sponsored by Democrat state Reps. Kyle Brown and Mandy Lindsay and Sens. Sonya Jaquez Lewis and Chris Kolker. The legislation expands the state’s “sensitive places” to include state legislative buildings, including buildings at which the offices of elected members are located; buildings of a local government’s governing body, including buildings at which the offices of elected members or the chief executive officer of a local government are located; and courthouses or other building used for court proceedings.
Under the proposed law, carrying a firearm in any of those buildings, including by those who have a concealed carry permit, would be considered a class 1 misdemeanor. That could be punishable by up to 364 days in jail plus a $1,000 fine.
The measure would also prohibit a person from knowingly carrying a firearm, both openly and concealed, on the property of a public or private preschool; public or private elementary, middle, junior high, high, or vocational school; or any public or private college, university or seminary (higher education institution). Like the previous provision, violation would be considered a class 1 misdemeanor.
If you think such bans sound unconstitutional, I agree. However, the authors of the bill strongly disagree.
“Colorado currently regulates carrying firearms in specified nine sensitive places, including certain government buildings, schools and public transportation facilities,” the bill’s introduction states. “The sensitive spaces described in this act are places where children and other members of the public congregate, and the sensitive spaces described in this act are sensitive places at which the state can regulate carrying firearms consistent with the Second Amendment.”
Of course, nothing in the measure requires these “sensitive places” to protect disarmed citizens from armed criminals who nearly always ignore such laws. Considering that some 94% of mass shootings occur in gun-free zones, the measure would make lawful citizens less safe, not more.
If passed by the House and Senate and signed by Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, the measure would take effect on July 1. Existing Colorado law already prohibits openly carrying a firearm within any polling location or central count facility, or within 100 feet of a ballot drop box or any building in which a polling location or central count facility is located, while an election or any related ongoing election administration activity is in progress.
Read the full article here