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Concealed-gun bill clears House panel
Columbine dad fights measure
By Julia C. Martinez
Denver Post Capitol Bureau
Sunday, March 02, 2003 - Legislation to create statewide standards for obtaining concealed-weapon permits moved another step closer to the governor's desk Friday.
A House committee approved the measure on a 9-2 vote after several hours of testimony. The bill now goes to the House Appropriations Committee.
Senate Bill 24, which cleared the Senate earlier this week, would set uniform standards for obtaining permits to carry concealed weapons. It contains a "shall issue" clause, meaning that if people pass criminal background checks, a training course and other requirements, county authorities would have to issue the permit.
Current law gives local authorities discretion to issue or deny permits.
Tom Mauser, father of Columbine High School victim Daniel Mauser, joined opponents in testifying against the bill.
Mauser, a state employee, said many Coloradans do not want to see more guns on streets or in public workplaces such as hospitals and college campuses. He also said that many people have become more fearful of concealed weapons since learning that the alleged killer of Colorado State University student Lacy Miller had a concealed-weapons permit revoked shortly before her disappearance.
"Is this what it's come down to in American society?" Mauser said. "We've given up? The answer to violence is to put more hidden loaded guns on the streets?
"If that's what it's come to, it's a very sad day, a very, very sad day," he said.
People in favor of the measure said uniform standards would be better than the current law, which allows local authorities from sheriffs to magistrates the discretion to issue permits without a background check or a training course.
Jerry Jump, a resident of Denver since 1929, said he knows business people who are not allowed to get a permit in Denver even though they need a gun for protection. Denver rarely issues permits.
"This is common sense. Let's give them the right to have a weapon to protect themselves," he said.
Rep. Fran Coleman, D-Denver, said she voted for the bill because under current law many people in Denver are traveling to other counties to obtain permits.
"The truth of the matter is there are guns in Denver, and there are people here with permits to carry them," she said.
The bill would allow only county officials, not local police, to issue the permits.
"I would rather the background checks are done by my own county," Coleman said.
The measure is sponsored by Sen. Ken Chlouber, R-Leadville, and Rep. Al White, R-Winter Park.
http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0%2C1413%2C36%25257E61%25257E1212961%2C00.html
Columbine dad fights measure
By Julia C. Martinez
Denver Post Capitol Bureau
Sunday, March 02, 2003 - Legislation to create statewide standards for obtaining concealed-weapon permits moved another step closer to the governor's desk Friday.
A House committee approved the measure on a 9-2 vote after several hours of testimony. The bill now goes to the House Appropriations Committee.
Senate Bill 24, which cleared the Senate earlier this week, would set uniform standards for obtaining permits to carry concealed weapons. It contains a "shall issue" clause, meaning that if people pass criminal background checks, a training course and other requirements, county authorities would have to issue the permit.
Current law gives local authorities discretion to issue or deny permits.
Tom Mauser, father of Columbine High School victim Daniel Mauser, joined opponents in testifying against the bill.
Mauser, a state employee, said many Coloradans do not want to see more guns on streets or in public workplaces such as hospitals and college campuses. He also said that many people have become more fearful of concealed weapons since learning that the alleged killer of Colorado State University student Lacy Miller had a concealed-weapons permit revoked shortly before her disappearance.
"Is this what it's come down to in American society?" Mauser said. "We've given up? The answer to violence is to put more hidden loaded guns on the streets?
"If that's what it's come to, it's a very sad day, a very, very sad day," he said.
People in favor of the measure said uniform standards would be better than the current law, which allows local authorities from sheriffs to magistrates the discretion to issue permits without a background check or a training course.
Jerry Jump, a resident of Denver since 1929, said he knows business people who are not allowed to get a permit in Denver even though they need a gun for protection. Denver rarely issues permits.
"This is common sense. Let's give them the right to have a weapon to protect themselves," he said.
Rep. Fran Coleman, D-Denver, said she voted for the bill because under current law many people in Denver are traveling to other counties to obtain permits.
"The truth of the matter is there are guns in Denver, and there are people here with permits to carry them," she said.
The bill would allow only county officials, not local police, to issue the permits.
"I would rather the background checks are done by my own county," Coleman said.
The measure is sponsored by Sen. Ken Chlouber, R-Leadville, and Rep. Al White, R-Winter Park.
http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0%2C1413%2C36%25257E61%25257E1212961%2C00.html
