Gov Signs Duran, Hinrichsen Bill to Crack Down on Gun Theft
DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis yesterday signed a bipartisan bill into law to help reduce the number of stolen guns in Colorado communities by increasing the penalty for certain firearm thefts.
“Whether a gun costs $100 or $10,000, it can cause tragic, irreversible loss, and the penalty for firearm theft should be the same across the board,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “Colorado Democrats have passed numerous bills to prevent firearms from getting into the wrong hands, but firearm theft acts as a loophole to these gun violence prevention measures and threatens the safety of our communities. Our bipartisan law ensures that the price of the weapon does not dictate the penalty of the crime, helping drive down gun violence and address the epidemic of firearm theft.”
“One of my top priorities as an elected official has been to pass legislation that ensures every Coloradan can live in a safe and thriving community,” said Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo. “Firearm theft of any kind increases the risk of violent crime for everyone, and we must do more to prevent such crimes before they occur. This bipartisan policy has been a multi-year effort, and I’m proud that this year we were able to get it across the finish line and see HB1062 signed into law.”
Currently, the penalty for firearm theft can range from a petty offense to a class 2 felony, depending on the value of the stolen firearm. HB25-1062, also sponsored by Representative Ryan Armagost, R-Berthoud, and Senator Byron Pelton, R-Sterling, will make theft of any firearm a class 6 felony.
Over 3,500 firearms were stolen in Colorado between 2019 and 2023. It is reported that 70-percent of those firearms were recovered, and criminal charges were filed.
Colorado Democrats have passed numerous laws to keep firearms out of the wrong hands, including laws to require gun owners to report when their firearm has been lost or stolen and properly store their firearms when not in use, including in their vehicles. The legislature also cracked down on “ghost guns” to keep unregulated, untraceable firearms out of our communities. This year, Colorado Democrats passed a law to help firearm dealers identify firearms that have been reported lost or stolen or involved in a criminal investigation.