This bill introduces several regulations aimed at improving the safety and accountability of gun shows in Colorado. Here are the key provisions:
1. Gun Show Promoter Requirements:
Security Plan: The bill mandates that a gun show promoter prepares a security plan and submits it to local law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction over the event.
Liability Insurance: The promoter must have liability insurance for the event.
Security Measures: Promoters are required to implement certain security measures at the gun show.
Age Restrictions: Individuals under 21 years of age are prohibited from entering unless accompanied by a parent, grandparent, or guardian.
Waiting Period Compliance: For customers purchasing firearms, promoters must verify that the 3-day waiting period requirement is complied with.
Post Notices: Certain notices, likely related to safety and legal requirements, must be posted at the event.
Violations:
If a promoter fails to comply with these provisions, it constitutes unlawful gun show management, which is:
A Class 2 misdemeanor for the first offense.
A Class 1 misdemeanor for a second or subsequent offense, with an additional penalty of a 5-year ban on promoting gun shows.
2. Gun Show Vendor Requirements:
Vendors must:
Be a federal firearms licensee or hold a valid state firearms dealer permit.
Certify to the promoter that they meet all requirements and will comply with federal, state, and local laws.
Vendors must display their federal firearms license and state permit while at the event.
Firearms must be:
Kept unloaded and securely affixed to the vendor’s countertop or wall.
Ammunition must be stored in an enclosed display case or behind a counter.
Vendors are required to provide customers with written information on secure firearm storage and how to report lost or stolen firearms.
Violations:
Unlawful vendor activity (e.g., selling without proper certification or violating display/storage requirements) is:
A Class 2 misdemeanor for the first offense.
A Class 1 misdemeanor for a second or subsequent offense, and the vendor is prohibited from participating in future gun shows.
3. Background Checks:
The bill maintains the existing requirement that all firearm transfers at a gun show must include a background check.
The bill aims to ensure safer gun show operations by enforcing strict regulations on promoters and vendors. It also seeks to promote responsible behavior by requiring vendors to follow safety protocols (e.g., secure storage, age verification, and mandatory background checks). The penalties for non-compliance are designed to deter violations and ensure the rules are taken seriously, especially in cases of repeated offenses.
Summary
The bill requires a gun show promoter to prepare a security plan
and submit the security plan to each local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the gun show. The bill places certain requirements on a gun show promoter, including requiring the promoter to:
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Have liability insurance for the gun show;
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Implement security measures at the gun show;
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Prohibit persons under 21 years of age from entering the gun show unless the person is accompanied by a parent, grandparent, or guardian;
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For each customer who leaves with a purchased firearm, verify that each firearm sold at a gun show is delivered in compliance with the required the 3-day waiting period; and
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Post certain notices at the gun show.
Violating any of these provisions is unlawful gun show management, which is a class 2 misdemeanor; except that a second or subsequent offense is a class 1 misdemeanor and, in addition to a criminal penalty, the promoter is prohibited from acting as a gun show promoter for 5 years.
The bill prohibits a person from participating in a gun show as a
gun show vendor if the person is not a federal firearms licencee, does not hold a valid state firearms dealer permit, has been convicted of a second offense of unlawful gun show vendor activity as described in the bill, or has not completed a gun show certification for the gun show promoter as required in the bill. Unlawful participation in a gun show as a gun show vendor is a class 2 misdemeanor; except that a second or subsequent offense is a class 1 misdemeanor.
Before participating in a gun show, a gun show vendor is required
to certify to the gun show promoter that the vendor satisfies the requirements to be a gun show vendor and will comply with federal, state, and local laws while participating in the gun show.
While participating in a gun show, a gun show vendor shall display
copies of the vendor's federal firearms license and state firearms dealer permit, keep firearms unloaded and securely affixed to the vendor's countertop or wall, secure ammunition in an enclosed display case or behind the vendor's counter or other customer access prevention device, and include with each sold firearm written information describing secure storage and lost or stolen firearm reporting requirements in state law. Unlawful gun show vendor activity is a class 2 misdemeanor; except that a second or subsequent offense is a class 1 misdemeanor and the person is prohibited from participating as a vendor at a gun show.
The bill maintains the requirement in existing law that a gun show
vendor conduct a background check for each firearm transfer at a gun show.
