DENVER -- State lawmakers debated a proposal Monday that would require people with concealed handguns to have a valid Colorado permit.

Sen. John Morse, sponsor of Senate bill 34, called it a common sense bill while gun owners said it is unneeded legislation.

The debate was held in the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing room where gun owner groups appeared to oppose the bill. The bill was passed by the committee with a vote of 3-2.

Morris said some gun owners rely on permits issued by other states, a loophole that needs to be closed.

"At the risk of wearing out an old legislative cliché, it sounds like this bill is a solution in search of a problem," said Anthony Fabian of the Colorado Gun Shooting Association.

Some gun owners said they couldn't meet the state's standards, while other gun owners may also be taking advantage of out-of-state permits that may have cost advantages.

"I think there are too many people doing that," said Morris. "If you live in Colorado and need a Colorado driver's license, I think you should need a Colorado concealed weapons permit if you want to carry a concealed gun."

"We know that there are actually firearm instructors in the metro area that are teaching these home defense pistol classes and advising their clients to go to other states because it's cheaper and has a longer expiration date," said Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle.

Opponents of the bill said permits issued by some other states are more widely honored in the U.S., an advantage for those who travel.

"In some areas he feels he needs to carry a concealed weapon and it's easy for him because ... if he has a Florida permit -- it applies to a great many states," said Dudley Brown with Rocky Mountain Gun Owners.

Those in favor of the bill were not able to cite many specific examples of times when having an out-of-state permit posed a problem in Colorado. However, local police and sheriffs are in favor of the bill.

Morris added some flexibility to the bill by giving out-of-state gun owners a 90-day grace period to get a Colorado gun permit.