Colorado’s Strict Gun Bill Becomes Law
Keith Lusher 04.14.25
Colorado has passed one of the most restrictive gun laws in the country, with Governor Jared Polis signing Senate Bill 25-003 on Thursday despite significant pressure from gun rights advocates to veto the legislation.
The new law will require purchasers of certain semiautomatic firearms to pass two background checks, obtain a permit from a local sheriff’s department, and complete a firearms training course certified by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). The restrictions apply to new purchases only and will take effect in August 2026.
The legislation also outlaws rapid-fire conversion devices, such as bump stocks, which allow semiautomatic weapons to function like automatic firearms.
Of particular concern to hunting and shooting sports enthusiasts is the requirement for CPW to maintain a database of everyone who passes the mandated training course. Critics, including El Paso County Sheriff Joe Roybal, have characterized this as creating a “government-sanctioned list of gun owners” that could potentially be used for gun confiscation in the future.
“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 Sheriff Roybal. “Public safety experts from across Colorado flooded the Capitol, and sadly, our words of wisdom and experience fell on deaf ears.”
The Colorado State Shooting Association has announced plans to sue to block the law, arguing that the expenses associated with obtaining permits, training, and background checks infringe upon citizens’ constitutional right to keep and bear arms.
John Commerford, Executive Director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action, was particularly critical of the signing, stating: “Behind closed doors, Governor Polis cowardly signed into law the most anti-gun, anti-freedom bill in Colorado’s history. Instead of respecting the individual liberties of gun owners and hunters in his state, he bent the knee to the radical gun control element of his party.”
Governor Polis released a signing statement asserting: “I am focused on improving public safety and making Colorado one of the top ten safest states in the country. This bill ensures that our Second Amendment rights are protected and that Coloradans can continue to purchase the gun of their choice for sport, hunting, self-defense, or home defense.”
The governor emphasized that “this law is not a ban,” adding that he opposes banning types of firearms. “Proper gun safety education and training, however, are key components of public safety and responsible gun ownership.”
The bill targets semiautomatic rifles and shotguns capable of accepting detachable ammunition magazines, as well as certain semiautomatic pistols that also can use detachable magazines. Firearms that are manually operated by bolt, pump, lever, or slide actions are exempt from the law.
For Colorado’s hunting community, the new legislation raises concerns about increased barriers to access for commonly used hunting firearms, potential registration implications, and what many see as an erosion of Second Amendment protections in a state with a strong tradition of responsible gun ownership and sporting use.
The new regulations will likely face significant legal challenges in the coming months as gun rights organizations prepare to contest the constitutionality of the law.
