Recent legislation in Colorado appears to be aimed squarely at those exercising their Second Amendment rights, leading to a fresh wave of concerns among gun owners.
On Friday, The Colorado Sun reported that Democratic Governor Jared Polis has officially signed Senate Bill 3 into law, introducing stricter regulations on gun sales across the state.
Specifically, starting in August 2026, the manufacturing, selling, and purchasing of certain semiautomatic weapons that utilize detachable magazines will be banned in Colorado.
According to The Sun, this prohibition encompasses notable firearms such as the AR-15, AK-47, along with various shotguns and handguns.
A report by KMGH-TV indicates that Ian Escalante, executive director of Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, anticipates that this law will impact a staggering 85 percent of firearms in the market.
Under this new regime, firearms will need to be sold with magazines permanently affixed, whether through welding, soldering, or using epoxy. Moreover, these magazines will be limited to a capacity of 15 rounds.
While Colorado already has restrictions in place regarding magazine capacities, the newly enacted law reflects an apparent dissatisfaction among advocates for stricter gun control. The banned firearms can still be manufactured for military, law enforcement, and other specific personnel, leaving the average citizen facing significant obstacles in acquiring these weapons.
For the general populace, obtaining an eligibility card to buy such firearms will now require a vetting process through a county sheriff, a comprehensive background check, and the completion of a firearms safety course.
Even with a sheriff’s approval, prospective gun owners must undergo approximately 12 hours of additional training if they lack a hunter safety course, culminating in a test — all just to buy a firearm equipped with a detachable magazine.
This eligibility will last for five years, after which reapplication will be necessary. Federal law further complicates matters, as it prohibits individuals from circumventing Colorado laws by purchasing firearms out of state. Gun dealers must comply with state regulations for all customers from Colorado.
Though this heavy-handed legislation invites criticism, there is a silver lining: it does not retroactively affect firearms that Colorado residents currently own.
The chaos that would arise from a mandate instructing citizens to surrender their weapons for modification, or face penalties, is almost surreal and certainly raises eyebrows.
Escalante painted a grim outlook regarding the bill’s ramifications in his discussion with KMGH. “Manufacturers would need to completely redesign the firearm. This is bound to inflate both retail and wholesale prices dramatically,” he stated.
Escalante expressed concern that this could signal a downturn for the arms industry in Colorado. “This isn’t merely about enforcing a high-capacity magazine ban. It’s fundamentally about removing firearms from circulation, limiting the number of individuals who can purchase firearms in Colorado, and ultimately driving both the pro-gun voting base and the firearms industry out of the state,” he remarked.
The Sun has reported that gun rights organizations are already gearing up to challenge the constitutionality of this legislation through legal avenues.
“This could delay the law’s implementation and may take years to resolve in the courts,” the outlet noted. Should the Supreme Court decide to hear a challenge against this law, a favorable ruling could strengthen the resolve of gun owners in Colorado to defend their constitutional rights.
This article originally appeared on The Western Journal.
