12-04-2025
Teller County and other local sheriffs frustrated by new gun bill being signed into law
TELLER COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — Gov. Jared Polis signed some of the nation's strictest gun control bills into law Thursday afternoon, and local sheriff departments feel the burden is falling on them.
The law will require anyone wanting to buy a semiautomatic firearm with a detachable magazine to get a permit through a local sheriff's office first. It also bans the sale of rapid-fire conversion devices.
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With this law, local sheriff departments will be responsible for permitting and vetting out potential buyers of semiautomatic firearms. Something Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell said is going to be a nightmare.
'This is going to be a heavy burden for everyone in law enforcement. It will have no impact on criminal acts. It will have no effect on mental health impacts. This law is just really a bad law and is probably the worst in the United States history,' Mikesell said.
Governor Polis said this law isn't a ban, but proper gun safety education and training are key components of public safety and responsible gun ownership. As of right now, there are no guidelines for how the vetting process will work.
'The problem is the state doesn't have guidelines on a vetting process yet. So, the state doesn't have guidelines on instructors yet. They have nothing set up, and they're actually burdening the departments that have very few people,' Mikesell said.
Other sheriff's departments were not happy either; in fact, all 64 counties sheriff departments came out against it. Mikesell said it's what they call an unfunded mandate.
Rio Blanco County Sheriff's Department and County Commissioners sent a letter to Polis in opposition.
'We believe this bill poses significant threats to the economic well-being and cultural identity of our county and other rural communities across Colorado. Sheriffs across the state testified that this bill will not make our communities any safer,' the letter said.
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The letter also goes on to criticize the bill's cost, claiming the increased demand will divert resources and require additional staff at a cost of $75,000 for local agencies.
'We're not happy about it. I mean, it's going to be a huge cost to this county. It's a travesty he even signed it.' Sheirff Mikesell said.
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