s_sa_2017a_2017-01-24t09:52:26z1 Hearing Summary

Date: 01/24/2017

Location: SCR 357

09:56 AM -- SB 17-005



Majority Leader Holbert introduced SB 17-005. Under the bill, a person with a permit to carry a concealed handgun (permittee) may carry a concealed handgun onto the grounds of a public school if:



• the permittee completes a school employee handgun safety course provided by a county sheriff;

• the local school district board of education or state Charter School Institute (CSI) has approved the safety course curriculum;

• the permittee receives permission from the local board of education or CSI to carry a concealed handgun on school grounds; and

• the permittee has notified the school administration that he or she may be carrying a concealed handgun on school grounds.



The bill allows local school district boards of education or the CSI to approve a safety course curriculum and allow a permittee who has completed the above requirements to carry a handgun on school grounds. Each board may establish a maximum number of employees who may carry a concealed handgun in each school. Should school districts adopt these policies, they must incorporate them into the district's safe school plan. Majority Leader Holbert responded to questions from the committee.



10:33 AM -- Karen Tonso, representing herself, testified regarding her concerns with the bill.



10:37 AM -- Marnie Kamensky, Colorado Ceasefire, testified in opposition to the bill.



10:40 AM -- Peg Ackerman, County Sherriffs of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.



10:42 AM -- Richard Williams, Mothers Demand Action, raised a number of questions regarding the bill. Majority Leader Holbert responded. Mr. Williams discussed his concerns with the bill.



10:48 AM -- Dudley Brown, Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, testified in support of the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.



10:53 AM -- Scott Lynch, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.



10:59 AM -- Jane Dougherty, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.



11:03 AM -- Carly Dougherty, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.



11:05 AM -- Laura Carno, representing herself, testified regarding firearm training for school personnel in other states and in support of the bill.



11:09 AM -- Evie Hudak, Colorado PTA, testified in opposition to the bill.



11:11 AM -- Laurie Langley, Colorado Ceasefire, read the testimony of Edie Widoff in opposition to the bill. Majority Leader Holbert commented.



11:15 AM -- Robert Edmiston, Firearms Coalition of Colorado, testified in support of the bill and distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment A).



170124 AttachA.pdf



11:19 AM -- Ken Toltz, Safe Campus Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. Majority Leader Holbert commented, and Mr. Toltz responded.



11:26 AM -- Jason Hopfer, Colorado Rural Schools Alliance, testified in a neutral position. He responded to questions from the committee.



11:30 AM -- Amy Petre-Hill, Colorado Faith Communities United to End Gun Violence, testified in opposition to the bill. She responded to questions from the committee.



11:37 AM -- Ronald Dietz, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.



11:39 AM -- Julie Meyers, Colorado Faith Communities United to End Gun Violence and Colorado Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, testified in opposition to the bill.



11:42 AM -- Betty Matter, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill and distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment B).



170124 AttachB.pdf



11:46 AM -- Geri Barela, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.



11:51 AM -- Eleanor Cabell, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.



11:54 AM -- Don Macalady, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill and distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment C).



170124 AttachC.pdf



11:58 AM -- Jean Grattet, League of Women Voters, testified in opposition to the bill.



12:03 PM -- Eileen McCarron Colorado Ceasefire, testified in opposition to the bill.



12:06 PM -- Phil Ross, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.



12:11 PM -- Melissa Wickes, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.



12:14 PM -- Dave Kopel, Independence Institute, testified in support of the bill, and discussed the states with laws related to firearms on school campuses.



12:19 PM -- Sheryl Wilson, representing herself, commented on the testimony of the previous witness.



12:20 PM



Majority Leader Holbert distributed amendment L.001 (Attachment D).



170124 AttachD.pdf

12:23 PM



Majority Leader Holbert gave concluding remarks regarding the bill.



12:26 PM



Members of the committee commented on the bill.

12:28 PM



The committee adjourned.