(The Center Square) – Felons convicted of first-degree motor vehicle thefts now must wait at least 10 years before they can legally possess a gun in Colorado.
House Bill 25-1171, which was signed into law this week, added vehicle thefts to the felonies that makes a convict ineligible to possess, use or carry a firearm. But the convict can petition the court for that right if 10 years have passed since the final disposition of criminal proceedings or the felon’s release from supervision related to the vehicle theft.
The legislation was sponsored by four Democrats in the General Assembly, Colorado’s legislature: Reps. Shannon Bird and Andrew Boesenecker and Sens. Nick Hinrichsen and Dafna Michaelson Jenet.
“Today we are taking important steps to make Colorado one of the top 10 safest states in the nation,” Gov. Jared Polis said Monday when he signed HB 25-1171 at the Pueblo Chamber of Commerce. “From now on, anyone convicted of first-degree motor vehicle theft is ineligible to possess a firearm, keeping guns out of the wrong hands and protecting our communities.”
The law sends a clear message that Colorado doesn’t tolerate motor vehicle thefts, the Democratic governor said at the chamber.
But HB 25-1171 only applies to repeat offenders. Under Colorado law, motor vehicle theft is first-degree if the defendant has two prior convictions for motor vehicle theft or unauthorized use of a motor vehicle in the state or elsewhere.
Pueblo Police Chief Chris Noeller said he likes the new gun law, but wishes it were better.
“I would’ve liked to have seen it on a first offense of a felony conviction of motor vehicle theft, but you can’t have everything you want all the time,” Noeller told KKTV.
