Senate Advances Teen Military Concealed Carry Bill

DENVER (AP) — Colorado's Republican-led Senate has advanced a bill to allow military members who are at least 18 years old to obtain concealed carry gun permits.

Colorado currently restricts concealed carry holders to those 21 and older.

Sen. John Cooke of Greeley said Tuesday his bill recognizes those who often serve the country in wars abroad by allowing them to better defend themselves against crime at home.

He and other Republican senators, including Tim Neville of Littleton and Vicki Marble of Fort Collins, argued that more guns and more bullets in the hands of trained military make for a safer society.

Democrats disputed that premise. They were outvoted.

The bill will pass the Senate after a formal third vote — but it has no sponsors in the Democrat-led House.

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