Senate Approves Bill to Fully Implement and Enforce Colorado’s High-Capacity Magazine Prohibition

DENVER, CO – Senators Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, and Julie Gonzales’, D-Denver, legislation to fully implement and enforce Colorado’s existing high-capacity magazine prohibition passed the Colorado Senate today.

In 2013, Colorado Democrats passed legislation that prohibited the sale and transfer of magazines that hold more than 15 rounds of ammunition. Currently, those intent on evading existing law are able to cross state lines to legally buy magazines in neighboring states and attach them to high-powered, military-style firearms.

SB25-003 would fully implement and enforce Colorado’s existing law by prohibiting the manufacture, distribution, transfer, sale, or purchase of 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. 

“High-capacity magazines are what put the ‘mass’ into mass shootings, which is why over a decade ago Colorado Democrats passed legislation to prohibit magazines that hold over 15 rounds of ammunition,” said Sullivan. “This legislation is another in the list of policies I have worked on to develop evidence-based solutions and reduce gun violence of all types. The people of Colorado have mandated that we do something about the public health crisis that is gun violence, so that’s what we’re going to do.”

“Gun violence continues to have devastating effects on Colorado communities, and we must do more to protect lives,” said Gonzales. “The firearm industry’s profits come, time and again, at the expense of public safety and something has to change. Senate Bill 3 is about holding firearm manufacturers to account, ending the industry’s profit motivation, and enforcing the law we have had on the books for more than a decade. I’m honored to join Senator Sullivan on this legislation and in his work to reduce gun violence in Colorado.”

An amendment was added to allow a person to purchase a semiautomatic firearm with a detachable magazine after undergoing thorough vetting by a local sheriff 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. If after those five years, an individual seeks to purchase a semiautomatic firearm, they would again be required to be vetted by a local sheriff and take a refresher course. 

Additional amendments expand the definition of heir to include individuals beyond the next of kin to whomever one may designate in their will, and ensure a gunsmith instructor at a private or public school regulated by the state may purchase a semiautomatic firearm.

Additionally, 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 would not impact possession of currently-owned firearms.

SB25-003 now moves to the House for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.