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DENVER, CO - The House State, Civic, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee today passed a bill, sponsored by Representatives Meg Froelich and Kyle Brown, to crack down on ghost guns by strengthening requirements for firearm barrel sales and transfers. SB26-043 passed by a vote of 8-3.
“Colorado Democrats have passed gun violence prevention legislation to prevent senseless gun deaths, and our bill would help keep illegal firearms out of our communities,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “We know that 3D printed gun barrels do not work well, meaning that most ghost guns need a gun barrel part. By requiring sales and transfers of this gun part to be done through licensed firearm dealers, we’re helping law enforcement agencies identify individuals who are illegally constructing these dangerous weapons. We’re closing this loophole to crack down on ghost guns and prevent gun violence in Colorado communities.”
“This gun violence prevention policy builds on our efforts to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “The number of ghost guns recovered at crime scenes has more than tripled in recent years, putting our communities at risk of gun violence with no way to trace who the gun belongs to. Our bill strengthens our efforts to reduce gun violence and improve public safety across our state.”
SB26-043 would require all firearm barrel sales or transfers to be done through a federally licensed firearm dealer. Gunsmithing schools are exempt from the bill. Under the bill, firearm dealers would also be required to keep a record of these transactions for at least five years.
Most firearm components can be easily printed and made functional using a three-dimensional (3D) printer, except for a firearm barrel. Typically, individuals who build a ghost gun must use an industrially-manufactured firearm barrel to finish the construction of the firearm.
Colorado Democrats passed a law in 2023 to ban “ghost guns” by prohibiting the possession, sale or transfer of unserialized firearms, frames and receivers. The legislature is considering a bill in this legislative session to strengthen this law by prohibiting the 3D printing of firearms, large-capacity magazines or other firearm components.