We’re surprised that this bill from Rep. Chris Holbert hasn’t gotten more attention, beyond this report from the Denver Daily News’ Peter Marcus:
Written in partnership with pro-gun group Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, House Bill 1205 is being sponsored by freshman Rep. Chris Holbert, R-Parker. It would make it optional to carry a concealed-carry permit…
The freshman representative’s bill could be viewed as controversial as the nation discusses stricter gun control laws following the deadly massacre in Tucson, Ariz., that took the life of a 9-year-old girl and a federal judge and wounded a congresswoman.
The Colorado Ceasefire Capitol Fund has opposed similar legislation in the past.
The group’s spokesman, Tom Mauser, said: “Arizona already has a similar law allowing concealed carry by any law abiding citizen without need for a permit. That law would have allowed the Tucson shooter to carry a concealed weapon. Despite all the warning signs shown by the killer, he could not have been prevented from carrying a concealed weapon. Coloradans do not wish to adopt such a reckless public policy, especially when there has been nothing shown as to why the current CCW system is not working.”
Dudley Brown, spokesman for Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, said the issue is about leveling the playing field when it comes to protection. He would like to see people be able to carry concealed most places in the state, including grade schools.
So, we pretty much have to start all such posts with a reminder that we, like most residents of Western states in both parties, are quite, um, liberal in terms of gun laws, and recognizant of the higher test regulation of firearms must pass in a state like Colorado as opposed to, say, New York. Usually our commentary on gun control issues consists of lampooning a silly right wing bill that presupposes some kind of conspiracist New World Order gun confiscation regime just over the horizon (see: Brown, Rep. R. Paul, or Brophy, Sen. Greg).
But once you get away from the hardcores at the Rocky Mountain Gun Owners and the limited number of Republican officials in their thrall, you’re really not going to find much support for letting everybody who can legally own a gun carry one concealed without a permit. In fact, that lurches so far from one extreme to the other, and sounds crazy enough once explained, that we think it could prove quite embarrassing to the GOP–especially in the context of recent events.
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We will know they are serious when they allow concealed and open carry in the Capitol. Think of the savings on metal detectors.
Like in Vermont where they have all that crazy killin’ going on.
but there are probably more guns in Colorado than there are people in Vermont.
Besides, who’s being hampered by the current system?
you shouldn’t be able to carry. Period. Responsible gun owners should oppose this legislation.
The current system is serving the people just fine.
…when you might need to shoot a first-grader who forgot to take his Ritalin.
misbehaving kid on the first day of school and there won’t be many discipline problems the rest of the year. Result: test scores will go up.
They’re all irresponsible, fat, free-loading, snot-nosed, lawn-walking little buggers anyway.
I mean, you can talk about this bill in the abstract and not sound completely crazy. But when someone arguing for the bill voluntarily shares his hopes that we’ll be bringing concealed weapons into elementary schools soon; well, I start to wonder what this idiot is thinking. Or maybe he’s secretly pro gun control, and trying to portray the other side as batshit insane? Nah… I’m going with he’s an idiot.
I’ve always assumed part of the point of concealed carry permits was so law enforcement officers know who might have a weapon legally concealed during something like a traffic stop. Does anyone here know if they indeed have access to that database? It seems like there could be a lot of unintended consequences involving police officers if anyone can carry a concealed gun most anywhere.
I’m pretty pro-gun, but I have a hard time seeing much benefit to a scenario where police officers aren’t able to differentiate clearly between a permitted concealed weapon and one that is not legal during the process of an arrest. Sounds like they’d be hamstrung with dangerous gun owners and prone to accidental shootings involving gun owners who are law-abiding but happened to be speeding. I wouldn’t like to see my representative take a position on this bill without consulting local law enforcement associations first.
I pretty much agree with you, but it’s not unprecedented, and does work in some places.
I don’t have a problem with CO’s current CCW policies. It was a good idea to do the “must permit” system.
“The Office of State Auditor found in November that 63 percent of the records entered by participating sheriff’s offices are inaccurate.
Moreover, 45 percent of the 67,000 permits issued between 2005 and 2009 were missing – which auditors tied to sheriffs in 20 of the state’s 64 counties who do not provide the CBI with data.”
http://www.gazette.com/article…
It’s led to all those murders committed by CCW holders.
complete and accurate statewide database. The way the system works now, it is probably of benefit to local law enforcement to know who has permits in their county, but once you cross the county line there does not appear to be much useful information.
If local sheriffs see value in reviewing and approving concealed carry permits, then I’m with them.
This sort of thing is what I enjoy most about Pols. Off to read it more closely.
nothing more nothing less. It tells people like “DUD”ley Brown (RMGO) who to target and primary.
Yet another reason the Republican party is in such trouble. Why people like him haven’t been run out of this state I will never know. It amazes me that there are still legislators still willing to talk to the piece of shit.
What’s the difference?
A person can legally carry a firearm concealed in a vehicle. A person can legally openly carry a firearm.
Does requiring a permit deter or stop anyone bent on illegal activity from carrying a firearm? If you’re intent on shooting someone to death will ANY law be a deterrent to that?
Would it not be better to limit the types of firearms that are legal and that can be possessed by citizens? Or better to limit some of the accessories (like 30 round clips that fit semi-auto pistols)? Wouldn’t that be more productive in working for?
Are you saying that if only people could concealed-carry anywhere with no permits, either of your common-sense proposals would be supported by Dudley Brown, Chris Holbert and their ilk?
Not being a Republican I can’t say with certainty that they would – or wouldn’t. But I would lean towards they wouldn’t.
What I would propose is that the people of this state are not as subject to sticking solidly with any position of a party or group if there are reasonable proposals put before them for their consideration.
It was the rational arguments against Ken Buck that stopped him from winning. It can be the same way with firearms as well.
Instead of waging a battle over something like this CCW permit issue – which with the current rights to carry firearms in CO makes little sense to fight against – go for what truly can affect peoples lives. I’m pro gun rights, but I believe there are limits (whether purchase or possession laws, types of lawful firearms, accessories, etc).
Each state and jurisdiction has different gun laws. One of the big battles a few years ago was the strictness of Denver concerning weapons in vehicles; basically you couldn’t take your gun from Lakewood to Aurora in Denver with out it being torn down and the parts locked up. The court fight was tough, but eventually Denver lost the strictness.
The same has happened to many of the tight weapons laws of other cities. D.C. lost, today’s (or yesterday’s) WashPo had an article about how the guns are now a legal staple in what was once a city that pretty well banned guns. Even now in D.C. you have to register it and the bullets that go in it.
The idea that Dudley Brown would actually state that he wants people with concealed guns in grade schools is perverse! And the idea that Republican lawmakers will agree with him (perhaps only to avoid a primary) is disgusting!
And Holbert’s proposed “law” isn’t only controversial because of the recent tragedy of Tucson — although that’s the only viable reason in our present society at all. It’s only a sad fantasy that the life of the late Daniel Mauser and the other victims at Columbine would have been saved if there had been more guns with fewer regulations floating around at school and elsewhere.
then I’d rather they say so loudly, clearly, and on the record. Especially if they ever plan to run for office again.
I wish I knew more people in Parker who shared the same feeling! For introducing that bill, that representative is really a piece of work.
And by work I mean shit.
A throw back to SNL 35 years ago:show us your guns.
The conservative “philosophy” and any satirical lampooning of the same are easily confused. Just ask Rachel Maddow…
At some point the satire and the reality of the current conservatism become indistinguishable. BJ is a good case in point – some of the stuff he posts is so far over the edge I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
I looked up the original: http://www.christianforums.com…
Beej cracks me up AT THE SAME TIME I weep for what he and other conservatives inflect on those less powerful, less lucky and less connected!