JOINT RELEASE: Senate Democrats Introduce Bill to Raise Minimum Age to Purchase a Firearm to 21

Legislation will help prevent young people from committing gun violence, save lives in Colorado

DENVER, CO – The Senate today introduced legislation sponsored by Senators Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, and Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge, that would raise the minimum age to purchase a firearm in Colorado to 21.

Currently, individuals must be 21 years old to purchase a handgun, but only 18 years old to purchase long guns. SB23-169, sponsored in the House by Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, and Rep. Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial, would raise the age limit to purchase any firearm to 21.

“Gun deaths in Colorado climb higher every year, and a disproportionate number of them are committed by younger Coloradans,” Mullica said. “As an ER nurse I’ve seen firsthand the devastating ways gun violence impacts our communities, which is why I am proud to champion this bill that will reduce gun violence and save lives all across our state.”

“We lose over 600 Coloradans a year to suicide by firearm, many of whom are children, young adults, and rural Coloradans,” said Duran. “Although 18-20 year olds make up only four percent of the nation’s population, they account for 17 percent of homicide offenders. Increasing the legal firearm purchasing age to 21 will help us prevent tragic deaths and reduce gun violence in our communities.”

“Young people aged 12-24 make up one-fifth of the population, but commit just under half of all gun murders,” Danielson said. “There is an urgent need to do more to prevent gun violence in Colorado, and I am proud to champion this legislation that will do just that. Raising the age to purchase a firearm will keep more deadly weapons away from our youth, reduce youth suicide rates, and make our communities safer.”

“As a teacher, I’ve experienced countless lockdown drills and active shooter events, and I know firsthand how essential this bill is to address our gun violence issue and keep Coloradans safe,” said Hamrick. “Developing brains are not fully ready to evaluate risks, regulate emotion or implement self-control, leading to young people disproportionately engaging in violent acts involving firearms. By increasing the purchasing age, we can keep more people alive and reduce younger Coloradans’ access to deadly weapons.”

SB23-169 includes exceptions for 18-21 year olds who are peace officers and members of the military, antique weapons collectors, and those who have completed a hunter’s safety education course and hold a hunting license. The bill also allows individuals 18-21 to possess a firearm while under the direct supervision of an immediate family member.

According to Everytown for Gun Safety, firearms are the leading cause of death for young people in the U.S. ages 18 to 20, and the firearm suicide rate among this group has increased a staggering 61 percent in the last decade. 

18 to 20-year-olds commit gun murders at triple the rate of adults 21 years and older, and peer-reviewed research shows that adolescent and post-adolescents have less capacity for mature judgment and self-control, which often leads to risky behavior and aggressive impulses.