Colorado Senate Democrats passed Senate Bill 3 on Tuesday morning, which aims to ban the purchase of firearms with detachable ammunition magazines in most cases. The bill was approved with a vote of 19-15, with three Democrats voting against it. The bill would prohibit the manufacture, distribution, transfer, sale, and purchase of specified semiautomatic firearms and classify devices that increase the rate of fire of a semiautomatic firearm as “dangerous” weapons.
Several amendments were added to the bill, including increased penalties for possessing high-capacity magazines and a section on safety education requirements for potential gun buyers. The bill exempts the 40 most common hunting rifles to accommodate the hunting community.
The passing of the bill comes after one of the co-sponsors, Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis, resigned amid an ethics investigation. The bill faced opposition from several Democrats, potentially resulting in a close vote. Some critics have referred to the bill as a de facto ban on “assault” weapons.
Sen. Tom Sullivan, one of the bill’s sponsors, emphasized the need for gun control measures to address gun violence and related deaths. The bill now moves to the House for further consideration.
If passed, the bill will have a significant impact on gun control measures in Colorado, potentially leading to stricter regulations on firearm purchases and ownership. Critics argue that the bill goes too far in restricting gun rights, while supporters believe it is a necessary step in addressing gun violence in the state.
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