Colorado gun shows could face more safety regulations under proposed bill
The Colorado House of Representatives approved a bill on Friday that would set new safety regulations and requirements for gun shows that operate in the state.
House Bill 25-1238 passed on a 34-30 vote, with eight Democrats joining Republicans in opposition.
'Just as we expect other large-scale events to have security measures in place, gun shows should also take responsibility for the safety of their patrons and the surrounding community,' Rep. Sean Camacho, a Denver Democrat, said during debate on the bill last week.
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Camacho ran the bill with Rep. Junie Joseph, a Boulder Democrat. It is sponsored by Democratic Sens. Cathy Kipp of Fort Collins and Jessie Danielson of Wheat Ridge in the Senate.
'This bill is about enforcing Colorado state law — laws that we have already passed. The intent of this is to make sure when you are going to a gun show, that it is safe for you and your family and your friends,' Camacho said. 'Many people are already doing this. This bill is about those who are not.'
A 2022 analysis found that there were 417 advertised gun shows in Colorado between 2011 and 2019.
The bill would require gun show promoters to create and submit a security plan to local law enforcement two weeks before the event that includes the anticipated vendors, estimated number of attendees, number of security personnel who will be at the show and a floor plan of the venue. Gun show promoters would also need to have liability insurance for the event.
Vendors would need to have a federal firearms license and the state firearms dealer permit created by the Legislature last year. They would need to attest that they will comply with state laws around background checks, waiting periods, high-capacity magazines and ghost guns. Various notices of those state laws would need to be displayed around the venue. Vendors would also need to keep ammunition out of easy reach to attendees to comply with a bill expected to pass into law this year about ammunition sales.
Additionally, the bill would set standards for video surveillance of the parking lot, entrances and exits in order to deter theft and record any instances of crime. The promoter would need to retain that video footage for six months.
'I have veterans that have gun shows that aren't going to be able to put cameras in parking lots in southeastern Colorado. Hell, they don't even have a paved parking lot in southeastern Colorado,' said Assistant Minority Leader Ty Winter, a Trinidad Republican.
Republicans argued that the requirements in the bill would limit gun show operations in Colorado and push the vendors to sell at shows in other states.
Camacho countered that there are companies that rent portable security cameras for parking lots at an affordable price.
The bill would also prohibit minors from attending gun shows unless they are with a parent, grandparent or legal guardian. The minimum age to buy a gun in Colorado is 21.
'Gun shows, in order to be able to continue selling guns, are likely going to say 'We're not admitting anyone 18 or younger,'' said Rep. Stephanie Luck, a Penrose Republican who questioned how a promoter could verify a familial relationship. 'It will switch from being a family-friendly event and a community-building event with food and quilts and all of the things we heard before, into just selling weaponry.'
First violations of the bill would be a Class 2 misdemeanor, and subsequent violations would result in a Class 1 misdemeanor and a five-year ban from holding gun shows for promoters.
The bill now heads to the Senate, where Democrats hold a 23-12 majority.
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