Controversial concealed-weapons bill fails -- then passes -- in Senate

A Democrat bill that most Republicans say treats law-abiding gun owners like criminals passed the Senate today with all GOP members opposing the measure -- and a key flip-flop in support of the bill by a Democrat.

House Bill 1174 gives a new lease on life to the state's database of Coloradans who have been issued concealed-carry weapons permits. The measure stops the list from expiring next year, as it is currently scheduled to do.

Right-to-arms groups are criticizing a standing database as being ripe for abuse and a slap at a group of people who all have passed criminal-background checks and firearms-training requirements.

The bill at first was killed by the Senate on a 17-17 vote as three dissenting Democrats sided with the majority GOP. However, on a second, procedural vote, Sen. Gail Schwartz, of Snowmass Village, changed her vote and helped push the measure over the top.

Leading the charge in favor of tracking concealed-permit holders was freshman Democrat Sen. John Morse, of Colorado Springs.

“These people are not law abiding completely and totally, and they’re not immune from mental illness,” Morse said.

Morse also denounced right-to-arms advocates who seek cover in the Bill of Rights.

"Concealed weapons are not covered by the Second Amendment," Morse said.  

Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray, called the bill “offensive” and referred to it as one that

lumps concealed-carry permit holders with criminals.

“There’s no reason to include law-abiding citizens in a criminal database,” Brophy said. “These folks are honest, true Americans who deserve not to be treated unfairly.”

In comments after the debate, Brophy added, “At least Sen. Morse has been consistent and honest in his contempt for gun-owners. I'm disappointed in Sen. Schwartz for actually voting for the bill after she voted against it."

In the end, Democrat Senators Lois Tochtrop, of Thornton, and Jim Isgar, of Hesperus, sided with the GOP on HB 1174.

HB 1174 is sponsored by Sen. Bob Bacon, D-Fort Collins, and Rep. Al White, R-Winter Park. Bacon has defined the measure as a “simple-little bill,” and mentioned that information the concealed-weapons database provides is vital to the public.

“The database offers a measure of assurance,” Bacon said. “It gives law enforcement a means to protect citizens.”

However, Sen. Jack Taylor, R-Steamboat Springs, noted that cataloging law-abiding citizens who are gun owners is “outrageous.”

“There are examples of cases where these databases, which supposedly are airtight, were abused,” Taylor said, while recounting how a Virginia database of permits was published in a newspaper, including the personal information of permittees.

“It's within the realm of possibility that this could happen in Colorado.”