HB 24-1174

HB 24-1174, which has been signed into law in Colorado, changes the requirements for obtaining and renewing concealed carry permits. Starting July 1, 2025, applicants must complete a specific training class within one year of applying, rather than the previous 10-year window. The new classes will cover topics like firearm safety, laws related to firearms, self-defense, and interactions with law enforcement. Additionally, permit holders can renew their permits by completing shorter refresher courses or through other means such as military service or police certification. This bill affects anyone applying for or renewing a concealed carry permit in Colorado. The parts of the bill that require immediate action from county sheriffs to verify instructors are already effective as of August 7, 2024, while most provisions will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Official Summary

Under existing law, an applicant for a permit to carry a concealed handgun (permit) must demonstrate competence with a handgun. An applicant may demonstrate competence with a handgun in a number of ways, including by completing a training class offered by a certified instructor within 10 years before submitting an application for a permit. Pursuant to the act, beginning July 1, 2025, an applicant may demonstrate competence with a handgun by completing a training class only if the class satisfies the minimum standards for a training class, described below, and the applicant completes the class within one year before submitting an application for a permit. The act also allows a person to demonstrate competence with a handgun for the purpose of obtaining a permit by holding a current certification as a peace officer. An initial concealed handgun training class is a law enforcement training firearms safety course or a firearms safety course taught by an instructor verified by a county sheriff (verified instructor) that is held in person and includes instruction regarding: Knowledge and safe handling of firearms and ammunition; Safe storage of firearms and child safety; Safe shooting fundamentals; Federal and state laws pertaining to the lawful purchase, ownership, transportation, use, and possession of firearms; State law pertaining to the use of deadly force for self-defense; Best practices for safely interacting with law enforcement personnel who are responding to an emergency; and Techniques for avoiding a criminal attack and how to manage a violent confrontation, including conflict resolution and judgmental use of lethal force. A student must achieve a passing score on a written concealed handgun competency exam and in a live-fire exercise to complete an initial concealed handgun training class. An initial concealed handgun training class must provide at least 8 hours of instruction, including the live-fire exercise and written exam. Beginning July 1, 2025, the act requires an applicant to renew a permit to demonstrate competence with a handgun. A renewal applicant may demonstrate competence with a handgun through participation in organized shooting competitions, current military service, or current certification as a peace officer; by being a verified instructor for firearms safety courses; by showing honorable discharge from a branch of the United States armed forces or retirement from a Colorado law enforcement agency with pistol qualifications within 10 years prior to submitting a renewal form; or completing an initial concealed handgun training class or a concealed handgun refresher class (refresher class) within 6 months prior to submitting a renewal form. A refresher class must be held in person, be taught by a verified instructor, include instruction on changes to laws related to firearms, and require a passing score on a live-fire exercise and written exam. A refresher class must provide at least 2 hours of instruction, including the live-fire exercise and written exam. The act requires a county sheriff to verify as training instructors any person whose principal place to conduct firearms training is in the sheriff's county. To be a verified instructor, a person must hold a valid concealed carry permit and be certified as a firearms instructor by a law enforcement agency, college or university, nationally recognized organization that customarily offers firearms training, or firearms training school. Denial, suspension, or revocation of an instructor verification is subject to judicial review. It is a deceptive trade practice for a person to claim to be a verified instructor for a concealed handgun training class unless the person is verified as a firearms instructor by a county sheriff. The act prohibits a person from being issued a permit if the person was convicted of certain misdemeanor offenses within 5 years before submitting a permit application. APPROVED by Governor June 4, 2024 PORTIONS EFFECTIVE August 7, 2024 PORTIONS EFFECTIVE July 1, 2025(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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