Critics of gun legislation billed as “constitutional carry” – an envelope-pushing proposal allowing Coloradans to carry concealed weapons without a permit – will converge on the Capitol Monday to meet with lawmakers and rally opposition. As announced in a press release this afternoon:

Volunteers with the Colorado chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and gun violence survivors from the Everytown Survivor Network, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety, will gather at the capitol for an annual advocacy day to meet with lawmakers and urge them to oppose SB 116, a dangerous bill that would allow people to carry hidden, loaded handguns in public without a permit or any handgun safety training.

They seem to think it could pass. As if.

ColoradoPolitics.com’s Joey Bunch observed here just a few weeks ago that 56-year-old John Elway will don No. 7 once again and lead the Broncos to another Super Bowl  – and then run for governor – before Senate Bill 116 becomes law. Actually, that’s not what Joey wrote though he probably came up with something even more colorful. Point is, the bill seems intended more as a right-to-arms manifesto by its Republican authors than a realistic attempt at lawmaking.

Even more to the point: The bill may have passed a couple of committees on party-line votes last month in the GOP-ruled state Senate, but it is dead on arrival if it makes it to the door of the Democratic-controlled house.

It was only relatively recently in Colorado history that the legislature pushed through the state’s standardized concealed-carry policy, allowing citizens who meet certain basic standards and comply with a training requirement to be issued a permit to carry a gun discreetly under a jacket, in a handbag, etc. It was a hard-fought, years-long effort getting that far; previously, concealed-carry permits were issued entirely at the discretion of county sheriffs, which in most counties meant none at all.

Just for the record, Sen. Tim Neville, R-Littleton, the bill’s sponsor, provided this rationale for the legislation when it debuted in committee: “If you’re legally eligible to possess a firearm, you should be able to carry that weapon concealed for self-defense without begging for government’s permission.”

Also for the record: Moms Demand Action called the measure a “reckless bill that would undermine Colorado’s public safety” in today’s press release.

So, just in case, the Moms will be at the Capitol Monday to ensure the long odds against SB 61 are even longer. Here are the details of the gathering as stated in the group’s press release:

WHAT:

More than 100 Colorado Moms Demand Action volunteers from across the state will meet with lawmakers to urge them to put the safety of their constituents first and oppose SB 116.

WHO:

Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America

Amy Chambers, volunteer chapter leader with the Colorado chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America

Jane Dougherty, whose sister, Mary Sherlach, was shot and killed in the Sandy Hook School shooting on December 14, 2012, and a member of the Everytown Survivor Network

Tom Sullivan, whose son, Alex Sullivan, was shot and killed on his 27th birthday at the Aurora movie theater shooting and a member of the Everytown Survivor Network

Other volunteers with the Colorado chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America

WHEN:

Monday, March 69 AM

WHERE:

Colorado State Capitol200 E Colfax AveDenver, CO 80203