State Affairs Committee Advances Bill to Fully Implement and Enforce Colorado’s High-Capacity Magazine Prohibition
DENVER, CO – The Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee today voted to advance Senators Tom Sullivan, D-Centennial, and Julie Gonzales’, D-Denver, legislation to fully implement and enforce Colorado’s existing high-capacity magazine prohibition.
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 not impact possession of currently-owned firearms.
“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.”
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.
SB25-003 now heads to the Senate floor for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.