Colorado legislators have passed three gun-control bills aimed at regulating the sale of firearms and ammunition. The bills, which are now awaiting Governor Jared Polis’ signature, include Senate Bill 3, House Bill 1133, and House Bill 1238.
Senate Bill 3 would restrict the sale of certain semiautomatic firearms to individuals who have undergone a background check and training course. House Bill 1133 requires retailers to keep ammunition locked, while House Bill 1238 mandates additional security measures at gun shows.
Gun-control advocates have praised the passage of these bills, hailing Colorado as a national leader in gun violence prevention. Governor Polis is expected to sign the bills within the next 30 days, after which they will become law.
In addition to these measures, the House is also considering legislation to define “mass shootings” in state law and further limit the use of guns to intimidate election workers.
The ammunition bill prohibits the use of ammunition vending machines and imposes restrictions on the sale of ammunition to individuals under 21. The gun show measure requires event organizers to have security and liability insurance, as well as limits on minors attending without an adult present.
Senate Bill 3, co-sponsored by Senator Tom Sullivan, aims to ban gas-operated, semiautomatic firearms, commonly known as assault weapons. The bill allows for exceptions for individuals who pass background checks and training courses.
As Colorado continues to strengthen its gun control laws, the state remains at the forefront of the national conversation on gun violence prevention.
