A new law took effect on July 1 in Colorado, requiring an eight-hour training course for new concealed handgun applicants. HB24-1174 mandates that new applicants participate in a live-fire exercise and pass a written exam. Those who are renewing an existing permit will have to take a two hour refresher course or demonstrate competence with proof of experience as a firearm teacher, competitive shooter, peace officer, or veteran of the armed forces. The class must be taught by an instructor that is verified by the sheriff’s office. There are seven verified instructors for Boulder County with contact information, including two in Longmont. Weld County Sheriff’s Office has 40 verified instructors all with contact information, including three in Longmont. Weld County Sheriff Steve Reams said in a social media post that the new law imposes “ridiculous regulations” and is an unconstitutional infringement of 2nd Amendment rights. Reams said people have been flooding into the office for the last month and a record-high visited on Monday, the day before the law took effect. “Let’s make it clear, these changes in the law will not make Colorado safer but the Democrats in the State Legislature simply don’t want law abiding citizens to be armed and they continue to make it abundantly clear,” Reams wrote on Facebook. House Majority Leader Monica Duran celebrated the passage of the bill she sponsored. “With this lifesaving law going into effect, we’re ensuring that Coloradans with concealed carry permits are properly trained and educated on current laws, like Colorado's safe storage requirements, before they bring their firearm into their communities,” Duran said. Reams said that he “will continue to advocate for the recognition of Constitutional carry and fight against all these bills that infringe on 2nd Amendment rights.” HB24-1353 also took effect on July 1, which requires gun dealers to obtain a state license for $400 in addition to the federal license.
