On March 2, House Bill 1205 passed in the Colorado House by a 20 to 15 vote. House Bill 1205, introduced by state Representative Chris Holbert (R-44), would allow residents to carry a concealed handgun without a permit as long as they are legally eligible to purchase and possess a firearm. The NRA strongly supports the constitutional right of Coloradans to carry for self-defense.

Despite NRA support for this bill, HB 1205 faces an uphill battle as the Democratic leadership in the state Senate has consistently assigned pro-gun bills to the Senate State, Military & Veterans Affairs Committee. Their designated “kill committee” has predictably defeated pro-Second Amendment bills by 3 to 2 partisan votes during the last several years. In addition, Colorado Governor and former Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper (D) has been a member of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Mayor’s Against Illegal Guns and he would almost certainly veto such legislation.

Fortunately, the state Senate killed the legislation. But look for the drumbeat to build in intensity as the NRA will continue to push the concealed-carry "solution" as a response to this tragedy. Yes, if only numerous armed citizens had opened fire in the dark against a man wearing body armor. I'm sure that would have solved everything!