This bill significantly expands concealed carry rights in Colorado by allowing permitless carry for those 18 and older while also making concealed handgun permits valid for life. Here are the key provisions:
Permitless Concealed Carry (Constitutional Carry)
Any person 18 years or older who is legally allowed to possess a handgun (under state and federal law) can carry concealed without a permit.
Those carrying without a permit have the same rights and restrictions as those with a permit.
Changes to Concealed Handgun Permits
Permits will still be available for those who want one (e.g., for reciprocity in other states).
The minimum age to obtain a permit is lowered from 21 to 18.
Permits become lifetime (instead of expiring every 5 years).
Existing permits automatically convert to lifetime permits.
Permit renewals and emergency permits are eliminated.
Changes to Out-of-State Permit Recognition
Currently, Colorado recognizes out-of-state permits if the holder is at least 21.
This bill lowers that requirement to 18, recognizing out-of-state permits from 18-year-olds.
Preemption: Local Governments Lose Firearms Regulation Authority
The bill removes the ability of local governments to regulate open and concealed carry.
Special districts and governing boards of colleges/universitieslose their authority to set their own firearm policies.
Key Implications
Expands gun rights by allowing 18-year-olds to carry concealed without a permit.
Eliminates permit expiration and renewal requirements, making permits valid for life.
Strips local governments, universities, and special districts of the ability to regulate concealed and open carry.
Would you like a breakdown of how this compares to current law or potential legal/political challenges?
Summary
The bill grants a person who is at least 18 years of age and
permitted to possess a handgun pursuant to federal and state law the same authority to carry a concealed handgun as a person who holds a permit to carry a concealed handgun (permit). A person who carries a concealed handgun without a permit has the same rights, limitations, and authority to carry as a person who holds a permit.
A person may obtain a permit for the purpose of using the permit
to carry a concealed handgun in another state that recognizes a Colorado permit. The bill makes the minimum age to obtain a permit 18 years of age. Under existing law, Colorado recognizes permits issued in other states that meet certain criteria, including that the holder of the out-of-state permit is at least 21 years of age. The bill changes the minimum age for recognition of an out-of-state permit to 18 years of age.
Under existing law, a permit is valid for 5 years. The bill makes a
permit valid for the life of the permit holder. Existing permits, other than temporary emergency permits, are converted to lifetime permits. Because the bill makes permits valid for the life of the holder, the bill repeals provisions relating to the renewal of permits. The bill repeals the temporary emergency permit to carry a concealed handgun.
The bill repeals local government authority to regulate open or
concealed carry of a handgun, including repealing the authority of special districts and the governing boards of institutions of higher education, as applicable.
