Last night, the Colorado 2024 legislative session adjourned sine die. This means the regular legislative session is completed for the year.
It was another unsettling year for sportsmen, as the Democratic Party and the Governor worked further to restrict the activities of the state’s sportsmen.
The good news first, HB24-1270 and HB24-1292 failed to make it through the legislative process and were defeated.
HB24-1270 requires firearm owners to maintain a liability insurance policy that covers losses or damages to a person, other than the policyholder, who is injured on the insured property as a result of any accidental or unintentional discharge of the firearm.
HB24-1292 broadens the definition of “assault weapon,” which will include countless semi-automatic rifles and shotguns used for hunting, target shooting, and self-defense. The bill does not stop there, it will also ban common firearm parts and many components in the definition of “assault weapon” and “rapid-fire trigger activator.”
The bad news, HB24-1349 and HB24-1353 both passed the legislature. These bills now head to Governor Polis for consideration. Please use the Take Action button to email the Governor asking him to VETO HB24-1349 and HB24-1353. Even though the Governor has not been a friend to sportsmen and gun owners, he still needs to hear from you asking him to VETO these bills.
Unlike most bills that become law after the Governor signs it, that does not happen with HB24-1349. Signing HB24-1349 places language within this bill on the 2024 general election ballot in November for the citizens of Colorado to decide whether they want to pay the additional “sin” tax.
HB24-1349, the “sin” tax, levies a 6.5%, excise tax on the gross taxable sales of firearms dealers, firearms manufacturers, and ammunition vendors from the retail sale in the state of any firearm, firearm precursor part, or ammunition and requires the excise tax revenue to be spent for crime victim support services, gun violence prevention, safe and lawful gun use, and enhancement of school safety. Even if the Governor signs this bill there is still one more chance to stop HB24-1349 from becoming law! Sportsmen AND gun owners throughout the state must VOTE, even if it is only to VOTE NO on HB24-1349.
HB24-1353 creates a duplicative state permitting system for federally regulated firearm license holders. It also adds additional conditions and requirements for dealers, random inspections, and severe penalties for violations. Federal Firearm Licensed (FFL) dealers are already required to be licensed by the federal government and are highly regulated. Even though this bill will add an additional cost to firearm dealers, sportsmen and gun owners are ultimately the ones who pay the cost on those additional fees required by the government.
Even though the 2024 legislative session is over, the Sportsmen’s Alliance will continue to monitor activities throughout the state. You never know when issues that sportsmen need to be aware of may arise. On our interactive map, you can view the bills the Sportsmen’s Alliance monitored during the legislative session.
Don’t forget to share this important alert with your family, friends, fellow sportsmen, and gun owners. Make sure you urge them to use the Take Action button to email the Governor urging him to VETO HB24-1349 and HB24-1353. The Centennial State needs all its sportsmen and gun owners to work together to ensure the survival of our hunting, fishing, and trapping heritage.
About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
