Judiciary Committee Passes SB25-003

Legislation will save lives by prohibiting the purchase and sale of all rapid fire conversion devices, commonly known as “bump stocks”, and by creating a permit to purchase dangerous, semi-automatic military style firearms that can accept high capacity magazines

DENVER, CO - The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker and Representative Meg Froelich that would fully implement and enforce Colorado’s existing high-capacity magazine prohibition to save lives. SB25-003 passed by a vote of 7-4.

“Semi-automatic weapons and high-capacity magazines have been used far too many times to terrorize Colorado communities,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “The trauma, grief, and loss due to mass shootings are felt deeply in our communities, and as a former public school teacher and a parent of three children, I worry daily about the safety of some of the most vulnerable Coloradans. It’s crucial that we pass this legislation to save lives and prevent future tragedies in Colorado.”

“Semi-automatic weapons paired with high-capacity magazines result in a much greater loss of innocent lives, which is why we must properly enforce Colorado Democrats’ decade-old law to prohibit high-capacity magazines,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “Coloradans deserve to grocery shop, go to school, and worship without worrying about being a victim in the next mass shooting. This gun violence prevention bill would require a permit and additional training to purchase the most deadly weapons on the market to ensure that all firearm purchasers have completed a rigorous safety training course, passed a thorough background check, and that they are not a danger to themselves or our communities.”

SB25-003 would fully implement and enforce Colorado’s existing law by requiring a permit and firearm safety training to purchase high-powered firearms that accept detachable magazines. The bill would also prohibit the purchase and sale of after-market accessories that increase the rate of fire of a semi-automatic firearm, like binary triggers.

The bill would allow a person to purchase a semiautomatic firearm with a detachable magazine after undergoing a background check and completing a firearm certification course that includes information on safe gun usage, federal and state firearm laws, de-escalation and crisis intervention strategies, range time, and more. Certification would last five years and could be renewed after taking a refresher course and being properly vetted by a local sheriff. 

The bill would not impact the sale of shotguns, commonly used hunting rifles, semiautomatic firearms that have fixed magazines and almost all handguns. While SB25-003 would prohibit the sale of gas-operated semiautomatic handguns, the sale of recoil-operated handguns, which make up over 90 percent of the pistol market, would not be impacted by the bill. The bill also would not impact possession of currently-owned firearms.

In response to the 2013 Aurora theater shooting, Colorado Democrats passed legislation that prohibited the sale and transfer of magazines that hold more than 15 rounds of ammunition. Currently, individuals seeking to bypass existing law can legally buy magazines in neighboring states and attach them to high-powered, military-style firearms.

Semi-automatic weapons and high-capacity magazines have been used in numerous mass shootings in Colorado, including the 2021 Boulder King Soopers shooting, the 2022 Club Q shooting, and the Columbine High School massacre.