A federal judge sided with pro-gun advocates this week and temporarily blocked Colorado’s new law raising the minimum age to purchase firearms to 21. 

The 44-page temporary restraining order halts the effective date of Senate Bill 23-169. The bill was passed earlier this year by the Democrat-controlled Colorado General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Jared Polis, a Dem who was elected last year with the assistance of a $2.7 million campaign push by the Everytown anti-gun group. 

The law increases the threshold age to legally purchase a firearm in the Centennial State from 18 to 21, with narrow exceptions for those who are active-duty military or certified law enforcement. The lawsuit, brought by two adults aged 18-20 allied with the pro-2A Rocky Mountain Gun Owners group, challenged the constitutionality of the measure, arguing it infringed on the right to keep and bear arms.

The judge in the case held this week that logic had merit and blocked the measure from taking effect.

"The Court agrees with the Individual Plaintiffs that the Second Amendment includes the right to acquire firearms and, therefore, protects the Individual Plaintiffs’ proposed conduct," said Chief U.S. District Judge Philip Brimmer, a 2008 appointment by President George W. Bush. "For purposes of a preliminary injunction, the Individual Plaintiffs have sufficiently demonstrated a likelihood of success in showing their proposed conduct is covered by the plain text of the Second Amendment." 

RMGO had warned earlier this year that the courts would soon overturn the new state law and took a victory lap Monday, with Taylor Roads, the group's executive director, saying, "Today, our crystal ball became a reality. But it does not stop here. We won't stop fighting until every single unconstitutional anti-gun law is struck down."

The temporary restraining order on SB 23-169 will remain in effect until the lawsuit challenging the law is resolved or it is overturned by a higher court.

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