House Committee Advances Amended Senate Bill 25-3 on Semiautomatic Firearm Ban
As of March 13, 2025
This bill is an unnecessary attack on Second Amendment rights, burdening law-abiding Coloradans with excessive red tape and costs. The vague sheriff discretion threatens due process, while diverting wildlife funds for startup costs misuses resources. It’s a backdoor restriction masked as safety, ignoring the rights of responsible gun owners and setting a dangerous precedent for government overreach. Furthermore, this bill represents The Elitists in The Denver Metro agenda, NOT The People of Colorado.
Overview
– Senate Bill 25-3 regulates sales of semiautomatic firearms with detachable magazines in Colorado.
– Passed House Judiciary Committee on March 11, 2025, with a 7-4 vote after 12 hours of testimony.
– All four committee Republicans voted no; most witnesses opposed the bill, rallying outside the Capitol.
Legislative Journey
– Originally a broad ban, amended in the Senate after talks with Gov. Jared Polis’ office.
– Senate approved it in February (19-15); now includes a permitting process instead of an outright ban.
Key Provisions
– Buyers need sheriff approval, a safety course (4 or 12 hours, based on hunter safety certification), and a test for a 5-year eligibility card.
– Applies to semiautomatic rifles, shotguns, and pistols with detachable magazines.
– Does not restrict possession; effective September 2025 if passed.
Sponsors and Purpose
– Sponsored by Reps. Andrew Boesenecker (Fort Collins) and Meg Froelich (Englewood), Sens. Tom Sullivan (Centennial) and Julie Gonzales (Denver), all Democrats.
– Aims to reinforce the 2013 high-capacity magazine ban, per supporters.
Amendments in Committee
– Removed fingerprinting for background checks; now requires photo ID and name-based Colorado criminal/judicial record check.
– Sheriffs can deny applicants if “reasonable belief” exists that past behavior indicates danger to self or others.
– Due process concerns raised; sponsors plan House floor amendment to address this.
– Sheriffs may set vetting fees.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Role
– Oversees application process, safety course design, and fees.
– Amendment allows CPW to borrow from Outdoor Recreation and Wildlife Cash Funds for startup costs, repayable by 2030.
– Republicans, like Rep. Matt Soper (Delta), questioned legality of using these funds, meant for hunting licenses and parks.
Concerns:
– Republicans, including Asst. Minority Leader Ty Winter (Trinidad), criticized it as a Second Amendment infringement and a costly burden (training and sheriff fees).
– Concerns over CPW capacity, potential backlogs, and diversion from its core mission.
Next Steps
– Heads to House Finance Committee; likely to pass House with 43-22 Democratic majority if it reaches the floor.
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE AND VOICE YOUR POSITION:
https://leg.colorado.gov/agencies/house-representatives/all-representatives