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HB 1212

Constitutional Carry of Handgun

2026 Regular Session

HB 1212 eliminates Colorado's handgun concealed carry permit requirement, allowing permitless carry while maintaining federal background check laws.

House Committee on Judiciary Postpone Indefinitely
#crimes #corrections #&enforcement
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Bill Summary · HB 1212

Legislative bill overview

HB 1212 would allow Colorado residents to carry concealed handguns without obtaining a permit from the state. Currently, Colorado requires individuals to apply for and receive a concealed carry permit through their county sheriff's office. The bill eliminates this permitting requirement while maintaining existing federal firearms restrictions and background check laws.

Why is this important

This change would affect approximately 600,000+ active permit holders in Colorado and alter law enforcement's ability to track who carries concealed weapons. It represents a significant shift in gun access policy, as permit data currently helps police identify armed individuals during traffic stops and other encounters. The fiscal impact includes lost permit fee revenue ($30-50 annually per permit) that funds sheriff's office operations.

Potential points of contention

  • Law enforcement concerns: Police organizations typically oppose constitutional carry, arguing permit data is critical for officer safety during traffic stops and welfare checks
  • Background checks and verification: Debate over whether eliminating permits weakens the link between background checks and actual carry, though federal requirements would remain
  • Urban vs. rural divide: Cities may oppose the policy while rural areas sometimes support less regulation; Colorado has significant geographic and political splits on gun policy

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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