The Democrat-controlled Colorado House this week gave a rubber stamp approval to a controversial ban on the sale and transfer of most semi-auto firearms by gilding it in a complicated new "permit-to-purchase" scheme.
The ban, SB25-003, has been inching through the deep-blue state's legislature, earning a 19-15 thumbs up from the state Senate last month. The House on Monday approved the measure in a vote of 36-28, sending it back to the Senate for concurrence on changes made to the bill since it left that body.
In its current form, the proposal would prohibit the sale and manufacture of almost all centerfire semi-automatic rifles and large format handguns in the state that accept detachable magazines – with some exceptions. Those still seeking such banned firearms would first have to obtain a permit to purchase one by completing a 12-hour educational course, which hasn't been developed yet. Alternatively, a valid concealed carry permit, or recent Colorado Parks and Wildlife hunter safety certificate and an additional four-hour extended firearm safety course, would meet the requirement.
The penalty for a violation is a Class 2 misdemeanor or a Class 6 felony for a second or subsequent violation.
Local sheriffs, who would be tasked with issuing the gun safety cards following background checks and fingerprints, are pointing out that taxpayers will be on the hook for millions to administer the new requirements, with little impact on crime. A fiscal note from the non-partisan Legislative Council Staff estimates that CPW alone would need an additional $1.3 million for the first year to set up the program and at least $500,000 annually to keep it running.
"I am deeply disappointed in how far politicians are willing to go to drive a political agenda, even at the expense of the safety of their communities," said El Paso County Sheriff Joe Roybal. "If passed, Senate Bill-25-003 will come at a high cost to the safety and pocketbooks of Coloradans."
Tossed into the bill for good measure are a host of other bans, including outlawing bump stocks and common binary triggers.
"Well, SB25-003 passed through the house today!" said Republican state Rep. Scott Bottoms on social media. "I received hundreds if not thousands of emails asking me to vote NO on this bill, not one to vote yes! The progressive democrats don't care what you think... they know best! They have no qualms about using money that's not there, potentially bankrupting Parks and Wildlife to take away your 2nd Amendment rights and putting millions of people in danger while claiming to do what is best for Coloradans. Extremely disgusting."
Should the state Senate concur with SB25-003, it will head to the desk of Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, who has signaled he would sign it into law.
Banner image: FN15 Guardian rifle with an Aimpoint Patrol Rifle Optic red dot. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
