Colorado has made it a misdemeanor to knowingly carry a firearm onto school grounds, into a polling place or inside a government building under a law signed Friday by Gov. Jared Polis.
The ban, which takes effect July 1, includes the open and concealed carry of firearms, and it applies to public and private schools as well as colleges, universities and child care centers. It contains exemptions for law enforcement, military and security personnel, along with some others who carry guns as part of their official duties. Permitted concealed-carry permit holders can have a firearm in parking lots adjacent to banned locations.
Several other proposed gun-free zones were stripped from the bill as it moved through the legislature.
The ban applies to the State Capitol and members of the General Assembly. During the debate, Republican lawmakers — some of whom carry firearms in the Capitol — questioned the constitutionality of applying the ban to them if it interferes with their ability to represent their constituents.
Local governments also may opt out of the ban for their jurisdictions. Douglas County’s Board of Commissioners did so by passing a resolution on May 14.
Senate Bill 131 was one of several new bills regulating the possession and sale of firearms to clear the legislature this year. Polis has already signed bills requiring secure storage of firearms in vehicles, providing more money for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to investigate gun-related crimes, and requiring specific merchant codes for firearm and ammunition sales. Bills to require licenses for gun dealers and new requirements for concealed-carry permits await his decision.
Voters will decide in November on a proposed tax on sales of guns and ammunition to fund mental health services and support for victims of domestic violence and other violent crimes.
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