Colorado Gun Rights, Dialogue, and Next Steps After HB26-1021 Fails in Committee

The HB26-1021 Second Amendment Protection Act was killed in committee on a strict party-line vote. Despite the setback, the hearing produced strong debate and opened doors for future discussions about gun rights, constitutional limits, and policy direction. The fight over firearm law reform in Colorado is far from over.

HB26-1021 aimed to repeal a large number of Colorado firearm regulations. These included background check requirements for private transfers, safe storage mandates, age limits and waiting periods, permitting requirements for dealers, local ordinance authority, magazine restrictions, gun show rules, and the Office of Gun Violence Prevention. The bill’s sponsors and supporters argued that many of these laws have not demonstrated effectiveness in reducing criminal gun violence.

The bill was defeated in the House Judiciary Committee by a 7-4 vote along party lines. Opponents framed it as a threat to public safety because it would have repealed nearly all of Colorado’s gun violence prevention laws enacted since 2013, including universal background checks, red flag statutes, safe storage requirements, and more.

Dialogue Over Policy

The debate was intense. Proponents emphasized the need to protect lawful gun owners and restore constitutional rights that they believe are eroded by current statutes. Opponents emphasized public safety and pointed to existing laws as tools to keep guns out of dangerous hands.

Although the bill did not advance, the strong discussions signaled a sustained interest among some lawmakers to revisit firearm policy. Supporters made it clear that repeal efforts will continue and evolve through future legislative sessions.

Who Is a Law-Abiding Citizen?

Data show a consistent pattern in Colorado and the nation: individuals with legal permits are far less likely to be involved in gun crimes. According to state concealed carry data, holders of permits have a dramatically lower incident rate of criminal activity compared to the general population.

The Bigger Picture on Gun Violence in Colorado

Statistics from Colorado and national public health sources reveal persistent challenges:

• From 2014 to 2023, Colorado’s overall gun death rate increased roughly 36 percent, above the national average increase. (Source)
• In 2024, about 96 percent of firearm deaths in the state were attributed to homicides and suicides, with a significant share due to suicide. (Source)
• Suicide accounts for well over two-thirds of gun deaths in the state, highlighting complex social and public health problems beyond simple legal controls. (Source)
• Colorado sits in the middle of national gun law strength rankings but still ranks near the top for firearm death rates compared to other states. (Source)

Advocates for reform argue that many of Colorado’s restrictive laws have limited measurable impact on reducing criminal gun violence. Research on the causal impact of gun laws varies and is highly contested, with some studies showing associations between stricter laws and lower firearm homicide or suicide rates, and others noting the complexity of isolating effects from broad policy packages.

What Comes Next

Although HB26-1021 failed, supporters say:

• The debate has raised public awareness of constitutional concerns.
• Lawmakers and stakeholders have new data points and testimonies to build future proposals.
• Efforts will focus on targeted solutions that aim to keep firearms out of criminals’ hands while protecting lawful ownership.

The legislative session showed that gun policy remains a core issue in Colorado. With ongoing crime concerns and polarized views, future conversations will refine strategy, gather evidence, and aim for approaches that respect personal rights and improve public safety.

The outcome of HB26-1021 does not mark an endpoint. It marked the beginning of deeper engagement on gun rights, crime statistics, constitutional interpretation, and public policy in Colorado.