Authored by Zachary Stieber via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours),
Colorado Governor Jared Polis (D) signed a bill into law on April 10, mandating that individuals must obtain a permit and undergo safety training before purchasing certain firearms.
The new law also prohibits the sale and purchase of devices that facilitate rapid firing of guns, including bump stocks.
During a press conference on Thursday, Polis stated, “For individuals without prior gun safety training, it is crucial for them to receive such education, and this bill ensures that people will receive the necessary training on how to safely operate and store firearms.”
Senate Bill 25-003, the legislation, is scheduled to go into effect on August 1, 2026.
Under the law, individuals are unable to purchase semiautomatic rifles or shotguns with detachable magazines unless they have completed hunter education training provided by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife and a basic firearms safety course.
Applicants must undergo a background check, pledge to comply with state gun regulations, and have their completion of the course approved by local sheriffs.
Violators of the law will face a class 2 misdemeanor for the first offense and felony charges for subsequent violations. Dealers found in breach of the law will have their licenses revoked.
State Representative Andy Boesenecke, a Democrat who co-sponsored the bill, mentioned in a statement following the bill’s signing that the legislation “will aid in saving lives and preventing future tragedies in Colorado.”
Organizations such as Everytown for Gun Safety praised the bill, with John Feinblatt, the group’s president, stating, “Colorado’s new law embodies common sense: If you wish to purchase a military-style rifle capable of causing significant harm without needing to reload, you must obtain a permit that involves passing a background check and completing a safety course.”
However, some groups argue that the bill violates constitutional rights. Ian Escalante, executive director of Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, described the bill as “the most extensive gun restriction in U.S. history” and stated that the group is exploring legal options.
He added, “We will not tolerate it. We will not allow Jared Polis and the legislature to compel us to repurchase our right to acquire the most commonly used rifle in America.”
In 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a federal ban on bump stocks.
Representative Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) also criticized the Colorado legislation, claiming, “SB25-003 transforms our constitutional rights into a privilege that only those with the means can access.”
Boebert and other Republicans have urged the U.S. Department of Justice to take legal action against Colorado over the law.
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