04/24/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/24/2024 16:03
Important Gun Safety Laws Are Currently Advancing Through the Colorado Legislature;Here's What You Need to Know:
DENVER - In the last couple of days, Colorado lawmakers have advanced multiple critical gun safety bills. Here's this week's legislative advancement:
This session, the Colorado legislature is also considering legislation to prohibit the manufacture, sale, and transfer of assault weapons, House Bill 24-1292, which was assigned to the Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee last week, and House Bill 24-1348, legislation to require secure storage of firearms in cars.
"It's moments like this that show how far we've come to address gun violence in Colorado, and a huge part of this progress comes from the leadership of young people across the state," said Stella Kaye, a volunteer leader with the Denver East Students Demand Action chapter and Students Demand Action National Organizing Board Member. "Every gun safety law that passed this past week brings us closer to a future where we don't have to live in constant fear of gun violence. But there's still many missing pieces to the puzzle here like holding the firearm industry accountable and passing a first of its kind state-level firearm insurance mandate, and we'll rally behind these lifesaving bills until they're on the books too."
"This incredible action on gun safety makes it clear to Coloradans that their lawmakers are listening to our calls for progress on public safety," said Carol Callicotte-Belmon, a volunteer with the Colorado chapter of Moms Demand Action. "The passage of HB24-1174 is a massive win for Colorado. Expanding concealed carry training requirements will go far in making our state safer. With just two weeks left in the 2024 session, Colorado lawmakers need to continue pushing critical bills forward, like the assault weapons ban, insurance requirements, and restrictions on firearms in sensitive locations, through the chambers to the Governor's desk."
In an average year, 930 people die and 466 are wounded by guns in Colorado. Guns are the leading cause of death among children and teens in Colorado, and an average of 79 children and teens die by guns every year, of which 51% are suicides and 45% are homicides. More information about gun violence in Colorado is available here.