Colorado Bill Could Help Banks Detect & Deter Gun Crime

March 29, 2024

Guns Down America Executive Director Testifies on CO Senate Bill 66 as a leading expert on gun store merchant category codes

DENVER — On Wednesday, Denver-based Guns Down America Executive Director Hudson Munoz delivered testimony before the Colorado House Business, Labor, & Technology Committee on SB66: Firearms Merchant Category Code.

Highlights from Hudson Munoz’s testimony are as follows:

“I support Senate Bill 66. The gun store code could help detect and deter gun violence without infringing on the right to keep and bear arms—something that I’m sure many Colorodoans who own guns would support.”

“This is not an infringement or effort to chill second amendment rights, it’s purely a method to categorize gun stores.”

“The only thing controversial about this is that the code didn’t already exist. This is an industry-led standard with codes that exist for everything from wig & toupee shops to bookstores to religious organizations—there’s even a code for something called a dolphinarium—but gun stores were uniquely exempt. This bill helps bring the gun retailing business into the formal system.”

You can listen to Hudson Munoz's full testimony here including his answers to representative’s questions.

Guns Down America recently released a first-of-its kind report looking at how payment processors could impact gun crime. You can read the findings here: The Gun Store Exception.