Colorado: bill to invalidate nonresident permits near final vote

[ThatIsAFact]

In Colorado, a bill that would remove recognition from all nonresident permits (including those issued by Florida and Utah) is nearing a final, decisive vote in the state House of Representatives.

The bill, Senate Bill 34, has already passed the state Senate. Today (March 20), it passed the House Judiciary Committee on a 6-5 party line vote, with Democrats in support. Democrats also control the full House, 35 seats to 30.

Supporters of the bill talked mostly about a provision that would require a Colorado resident to obtain a permit through the sheriff-based Colorado system, rather than carrying on some other state's permit. But the bill has another provision that would remove recognition from any nonresident permit -- meaning, any permit held by a resident of a state other than the issuing state.

Thus, persons who live in no-issue or few-issue states, who can currently carry in Colorado with permits issued by Florida or Utah, for example, would lose that right under SB 34.

So, if you live in Colorado, or go there for business or pleasure, you might want to politely convey to the Colorado House members that this bill should be revised or killed. The contact information for every House member is on the legislature's website here:
http://www.leg.state.co.us/Clics/Clics2007A/csl.nsf/directory?openframeset

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Anti-Tourist Bill

You know, if that passes, I think I'll take my tourism dollars elsewhere.

Think I'll write them.

 

[jlbraun]

Called my Senator to register opposition.

But the bill has another provision that would remove recognition from any nonresident permit -- meaning, any permit held by a resident of a state other than the issuing state.

Where does it say that? I see that you have to get a CO permit if you're here for 90 days as a resident, but if you're a tourist it won't affect you.

I remember reading that the reason for this bill was that a CO resident applied for a CO permit, got denied for some reason or another, applied for a UT or FL permit, got it, and sent a copy of it to his local sheriff with a nasty note ("Neener, neener!").

That one guy is an idiot and so is this bill. CO should go Vermont carry.

 

[El Tejon]

So, they have enough money in Colorado?

I do not see the proposed language that would impact visitors. Maybe it is in another version???

 

[DrewH]

It says Colorado will not honor non-resident out of state permits. Or it says, more specifically, that Colorado will only honor your out of state permit if the state whose permit you are using honors Colorado, and you are a resident of that State (and you are 21 or older).

In my example, I live in Virginia and have a Virginia and Florida CCW. Virginia doesn't honor Colorado, Colorado therefore doesn't honor Virginia. Until this goes into effect I could carry on Florida's permit, but I am not a resident of Florida so that will stop working if this passes. Too bad because I have relatives in Colorado.

 

[wdlsguy]

I sent an email to each member of the Colorado House (with a listed email address) this evening.

I have already heard back from Rob Witwer, indicating he will be voting against the bill.

 

[Desk Jockey]

if you're a tourist it won't affect you.

Yes it will. If your DL (presumed state of residence) does not match the state issuing your CCW, then you won't be legal in Colorado if this bill passes.

Current version of the bill here.

Relevant language with my emphasis added:

18-12-213. Reciprocity. (1) A permit to carry a concealed handgun or a concealed weapon that is issued to a person twenty-one years of age or older by a state that recognizes the validity of permits issued pursuant to this part 2 shall be valid in this state in all respects as a permit issued pursuant to this part 2 IF THE PERMIT IS ISSUED TO A PERSON WHO IS:
(a) TWENTY-ONE YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER; AND
(b) (I) A RESIDENT OF THE STATE THAT ISSUED THE PERMIT, AS DEMONSTRATED BY THE ADDRESS STATED ON A VALID PICTURE IDENTIFICATION THAT IS ISSUED BY THE STATE THAT ISSUED THE PERMIT AND IS CARRIED BY THE PERMIT HOLDER; OR
(II) A RESIDENT OF COLORADO FOR NO MORE THAN NINETY DAYS, AS DETERMINED BY THE DATE OF ISSUANCE ON A VALID PICTURE IDENTIFICATION ISSUED BY COLORADO AND CARRIED BY THE PERMIT HOLDER.

 

[ThatIsAFact]

jlbraun wrote above, "I see that you have to get a CO permit if you're here for 90 days as a resident, but if you're a tourist it won't affect you."

Under SB 34, tourists are out of luck, unless they have a permit from their home state, and unless that home state has reciprocity with Colorado.

The 90-day provision to which you referred actually explicitly requires a Colorado-issued driver's license or Colorado-issued photo identification card. This is useful only for someone who has actually changed his residency to Colorado, and obtained the Colorado photo ID. Then he can carry for 90 days on the out-of-state permit, while he is waiting for a Colorado sheriff to process his application for a Colorado carry permit. If you have not actually changed your residence and driver's license to Colorado, this provision is of no use to you. The rest of the bill says that permits issued by reciprocal states will be honored only if the permit holder is a resident of the issuing state, and over age 21.

Today (March 22) the bill was on the House calendar, but postponed. An amendment could still be offered to fix it -- that is, to make it apply only to Colorado residents.