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GOP bill would have repealed nearly every gun violence prevention law passed by Colorado Democrats since 2013 including universal background checks, Colorado’s Red Flag law and laws that prevent perpetrators of domestic violence from possessing a firearm
DENVER, CO - The House Judiciary Committee today defeated a Republican bill that would have repealed nearly every gun violence prevention law passed by Colorado Democrats since 2013. The bill would have repealed laws that save Colorado lives, like universal background checks, Colorado’s “red flag” laws, high-capacity magazine limits and safe storage requirements.
“As Colorado Democrats build on our efforts to prevent gun violence and keep Coloradans safe, House Republicans just tried to throw out every single gun violence prevention law we have passed in recent years, including our red flag law,” said Rep. Michael Carter, D-Aurora. “We have made a lot of progress in Colorado, passing data-driven policies like universal background checks and Extreme Risk Protection Orders that protect people from senseless gun violence. This bill would have repealed every tool that we have to prevent dangerous people from accessing firearms. Colorado Democrats remain committed to improving public safety and saving countless lives.”
“Colorado Democrats have passed gun violence prevention laws to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals and dangerous individuals, and this bill would have undone all of that work and put our communities at risk,” said Rep. Chad Clifford, D-Centennial. “As a law enforcement officer, I’ve seen how Colorado’s gun laws equip law enforcement agencies with important tools to prevent and reduce gun violence. This bill would have completely overhauled Colorado’s laws that keep Coloradans safe, which is why Colorado Democrats defeated this bill in committee so we can continue to prevent gun-related deaths and protect Colorado communities in every corner of our state.”
HB26-1021, sponsored by Representatives Brandi Bradley, R-Roxborough, and Max Brooks, R-Castle Rock, would have repealed gun violence prevention laws, including universal background checks, Extreme Risk Protection Orders, limits on high-capacity magazines, safe storage in homes and vehicles, waiting periods and gun show regulations.
The bill would have repealed the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, shutting down a grant program that uses evidence-informed strategies to reduce gun violence in communities across Colorado.
The 2021 legislative session was one of the most productive for gun reform in Colorado history. The legislature passed six gun violence prevention laws to strengthen the background check system, further restrict those with violent records from accessing any firearms, mandate safe storage requirements, and remove the statewide preemption so that local governments could pass their own gun violence prevention ordinances.
In 2023, Colorado Democrats built on this progress by expanding Colorado’s “Red Flag” law, raising the minimum age to purchase a long gun to 21 years old, establishing waiting periods and removing Colorado’s overly-broad firearms industry immunity protections so survivors of gun violence can better seek accountability and justice through civil court.
Last year, the legislature passed historic legislation to enforce Colorado’s high-capacity magazine ban. The legislature also passed laws to create safeguards on ammunition purchases, improve security at gun shows, increase penalties for firearm theft and prevent suicides by allowing people to voluntarily waive their own right to purchase a firearm when in a state of mental or emotional distress.