5D9A7BA3767F495987258527007597ED Hearing Summary

Representative Liston, sponsor, presented House Bill 20-1152, concerning a requirement that an adult offender convicted of a second or subsequent offense for illegal possession of a weapon by a previous offender, which can range from a class 6 felony to a class 4 felony, to be sentenced to the Department of Corrections (DOC). Individuals convicted of the class 4 felony must serve their sentence consecutively with any other sentences being served, under the bill. Representative Liston distributed Amendment L.002, which strikes everything below the enacting clause (strike below), and Amendment L.003, which amends the strike below amendment (Attachments C and D). Representative Liston answered questions from the committee.

The following panel testified on the bill: Maureen Cain, Office of the State Public Defender, testified in opposition to the bill. Tristan Gorman, representing the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, testified in opposition to the bill. The panel responded to questions from the committee.

The committee recessed.

The committee came back to order.

The following panel testified in support of the bill: Tom Raynes, representing the Colorado District Attorneys Council. John Kellner, representing the District Attorney's Office of the 18th Judicial District. The panel responded to questions from the committee.

The following persons testified in support of the bill: Greg Brophy, representing the National Rifle Association, testified in support of the bill as amended by Amendment L.002. Robert Edmiston, representing the Firearms Coalition of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. John Karakoulakis, National Shooting Sports Foundation, testified in support of the bill. The panel responded to questions from the committee.

Sophia San Miguel, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Representative Weissman announced that the bill would be laid over for action only on a date to be determined. Committee discussion ensued.