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Panel approves misdemeanor for reckless celebratory gunfire and adds safety-course language
Summary
The subcommittee adopted an amendment requiring handgun-safety courses to include new material and approved HB 17-57, making reckless discharge near public gatherings a class A misdemeanor; vote 9–0 to send to full judiciary.
The committee unanimously approved an amendment to HB 17-57 that would require information from the bill to be included in all department-approved handgun-safety courses and then voted 9–0 to send the measure to full judiciary.
Sponsor described a local fatality in which a stray celebratory bullet struck and killed John Cobb during Fourth of July festivities; the proposed law would create a class A misdemeanor for recklessly discharging a firearm "in proximity to a person" or at a public gathering of at least 25 people and would incorporate the course-content amendment into handgun-safety training.
Chair and members discussed whether the misdemeanor would conflict with existing reckless-endangerment felony statutes. The sponsor said he consulted the district attorney and that prosecutors saw no conflict; the bill report recorded committee support and the clerk reported 9 ayes and 0 nos.
HB 17-57 now goes to full judiciary for further consideration.
