2nd Amendment Rights Trampled In Colorado

Colorado Governor Signs Bill Drastically Limiting the Sale of Semi-auto Firearms 

Gov. Jared Polis signed into law one of the most restrictive gun regulations ever adopted in Colorado.

Beginning in August 2026, the manufacture, sale and purchase of semiautomatic firearms that can accept detachable ammunition magazines will be outlawed in Colorado.

SB25-003, or Senate Bill 3, the so-called “assault weapons ban”, prohibits the sale of most semi-automatic firearms, including all semi-automatic rifles and shotguns that can accept a detachable magazine, along with gas operated pistols that can take detachable magazines. This will include AR-15 and AK-47 rifles, as well as a long list of their popular variants. The bill defines and classifies these “rapid-fire devices” as dangerous weapons. 

This Bill also creates a brand-new gun buyer ID card system with multiple burdensome requirements that if met, will allow you to purchase banned firearms.  To be eligible to purchase a semi-automatic firearm under the new law, a person must undergo a background check and complete a firearms safety course consisting of up to a dozen hours of training over two days, depending on whether they have already completed a hunter education course, and pass a test. 

The training course includes information on safe gun usage, federal and state firearm laws, de-escalation strategies, and range-time. Once complete, you must receive an eligibility card from your county sheriff. The vetting and training is valid for five years and then must be renewed if the person wishes to purchase additional weapons.

Going even further, the bill restricts the sale of bump stocks and rapid-fire trigger activators. 

This bill also implemented a 6.5% excise tax on the sale of firearms, firearm precursor parts, and ammunition, effective immediately. 

About the only thing this bill does not impact is the possession of currently-owned firearms. So if you have a weapon that would be banned under Senate Bill 3, you can still keep it.

Thankfully, gun rights groups have vowed to file a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Senate Bill 3, which could prevent the measure from taking effect.