07-02-2025
CO Senate to vote on semiautomatic weapon ban
(COLORADO) — A bill banning some semiautomatic firearm sales is up for a vote in the state senate on Friday, Feb. 7.
Senate Bill 3 would ban the purchase, sale, and manufacturing of semiautomatic weapons that accept detachable ammunition magazines, like AR-15s, AK-47s, TEC-9s, and MAC-10s, among others. Existing law prohibits the possession of a 'dangerous weapon,' and SB-3 would define a 'rapid-fire device' and classify rapid-fire devices as dangerous weapons under Colorado law.
One local gun store owner told FOX21 News he's worried about what this legislation could do to his business, and without having any real impact on gun violence.
'At the end of the day, with how these items are going to be required to have a fixed magazine, it does not prevent a criminal from detaching that magazine or modifying it with simple tools they can pick up at Home Depot,' said Ted Collins, Owner and CEO of Spartan Armory. 'So this law will not prevent any criminals from doing bad intent or doing bad things.'
Supporters of the measure say it's not about stripping rights, it's about requiring manufacturers to align with Colorado law.
'This isn't about taking away anybody's guns, but this about saying 'hey manufacturers, if you want to sell your products here in Colorado, follow our laws,'' said Colorado Sen. Julie Gonzalez (D-Denver), a prime sponsor of the bill.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis has not taken a position on the bill, and a spokesperson for his office told FOX21 News that the Governor 'will continue to review the bill as it moves through the process and changes.'
If passed, the bill would implement some of the strictest regulations in the nation.
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