DENVER, MAY 9, 2024 —Eight new common-sense gun violence prevention measures were passed in the 2024 Colorado Legislative session, which ended late Wednesday, Colorado Ceasefire announced today. A measure to require merchant category codes has already been signed into law by Governor Jared Polis, and Ceasefire looks forward to bill signings on the others within the next 30 days.
Among the bills passed were three Colorado Ceasefire considered to be most critical for improving public safety: requirements to securely store firearms in vehicles, firearms dealer requirements and permits and sending voters a request for an excise tax on firearms and ammunition to fund victims’ services, including for domestic violence, mental health services for veterans and youth and school safety programs.
Other gun violence prevention bills passed this session include:
- SB24-003, giving the Colorado Bureau of Investigation authority to investigate firearm crimes;
- SB24-131, designating ‘sensitive’ spaces, including schools (preschools through universities), voting sites, the state capitol, and local government offices, where firearms are not allowed;
- HB24-1122, requiring firearm relinquishment by persons subject to temporary domestic violence protection orders;
- HB24-1174, establishing minimum standards for CCW classes, including safe firearm handling, live-fire exercise, education on gun laws and conflict resolution; and
- SB24-066, requiring that a merchant category code be established for Colorado firearms retailers to aid in stopping large-scale weapons trafficking.
Other measures, including agricultural and workplace suicide prevention, firearm liability insurance requirements and an assault weapons ban, did not pass this year.
“We are pleased that this year’s legislature strongly answered citizens’ calls for thoughtful action to address gun violence,” said Eileen McCarron, president of Colorado Ceasefire Legislative Action. “We believe these measures will make Coloradans safer in their homes, workplaces and schools.”
“These legislative reforms show that elected officials know the support for common-sense gun legislation is both broad and deep,” said Colorado Ceasefire Executive Director Adam Shore. “Colorado Ceasefire and other gun-violence prevention groups remain committed to legislative action, education and outreach to enhance public safety and reduce the gun violence that plagues Colorado and every other state.”
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About Colorado Ceasefire
Colorado Ceasefire has been working for freedom from gun violence since 2000. Ceasefire initiated and was instrumental in the enactment of the 2013 Colorado firearms laws and began advocating for an Extreme Risk Protection Orders law in 2016, which became effective January 1, 2020. Ceasefire worked closely with members of Colorado’s General Assembly to help enact six gun reform measures in both 2021 and 2023.
For more information, contact:
David Plank, Communications Director
Colorado Ceasefire
719-623-7639
davidplank@coloradoceasefire.org
Eileen McCarron, President
Colorado Ceasefire Legislative Action
303-946-6959
