Gov. Jared Polis has signed a bill into law that will implement some of the strictest gun regulations in the country in Colorado. Despite facing pressure from gun rights advocates to veto the bill, Polis believes it will make communities safer and save lives while still protecting Second Amendment rights. The new law requires individuals to pass two background checks, obtain a permit, and complete a certified firearms training course in order to purchase certain types of semi-automatic firearms. It also prohibits rapid-fire conversion devices like bump stocks and establishes a database of individuals who have completed the training course, which opponents argue is a form of gun registry.
State Sen. Tom Sullivan, who sponsored the bill and lost his son in a mass shooting, sees the new law as a necessary step in addressing gun violence. However, the Colorado State Shooting Association plans to sue to block the law, claiming that the requirements infringe on constitutional rights. The NRA Institute for Legislative Action also criticized the bill, accusing Polis of signing it in secret and suggesting that it restricts individuals’ liberties. The law will go into effect in August 2026 and aims to prevent accidents, reduce gun violence, and protect the public while balancing individual rights.
