By Even Pliego
The SB25-003 was introduced in Colorado on January 8th, 2025 by four major sponsors: Tom Sullivan and Julie Gonzalez, along with Andrew Boesnecker and Meg Froelich.
The bill immediately sparked controversy. It prohibits knowingly manufacturing, distributing, transferring, selling, or purchasing a specified semi automatic firearm. These specified semi automatic firearms are stated in the bill as semi automatic shotguns, rifles, and pistols, with a detachable magazine, and any firearm classified as semi automatic firearm weaponry. This is an interesting and new take on gun bills, seeming to push into nearly uncharted territory.
Although the bill is listed as a ban, and many people are viewing it as a ban, in reality it’s more of a reform and restriction. It states that semi automatic firearms are banned, unless you fulfill the necessary requirements, which are as follows:
- Completed a hunter education course certified by the division of parks and wildlife and, within 5 years before making the purchase, completed a basic firearms safety course
- Within 5 years before making the purchase, completed an extended firearms safety course
- Completed an extended firearms safety course more than 5 years before making the purchase and completed a basic firearms safety course within 5 years before making the purchase.
It’s similar to enforcing background checks in a way, and only limiting and restricting the purchase of semi auto firearms if you do not have any of the credentials listed above.
Why is this so interesting or strange? The average American—despite what Europeans may believe—doesn’t actually know a whole lot about firearms, so when hearing about this bill, many people may jump to the conclusion that it is another simple gun ban.
However, what is different with this bill is that it’s going after Semi-Automatic firearms. A phrase that has been used by many politicians and parties—oftentimes being more left leaning—is “we aren’t coming after your hunting rifles.” Political groups usually focus on “assault” weapons or full automatic weapons. In this case, this bill seems to be going after hunting rifles and firearms. These oftentimes consist of magazine fed, simple, semi-automatic rifles, which caused some negative backlash. Some gun owners stormed to social media to show their disdain. Many people seem to be worried that this is just the start of more hyper radical and restrictive gun laws, even restricting to the most simple of firearms.
This leaves us with only one last question: will it be passed? It’s currently in the process of being passed, and passed the Senate on February 18th, even though it had been postponed multiple times.
Furthermore, on the 19th, it was introduced into the House, so the final fate of the bill is still to be determined. Bills affecting hunting rifles or simple firearms are not a new thing. Many of said bills aren’t targeting these simple firearms, yet end up indirectly affecting these firearms and their owners. Acts and bills like this are commonly amended and removed, so the bill may pass. However, it may not hold forever. Follow this link to track the progress of the bill: https://fastdemocracy.com/bill-search/co/2025A/bills/COB00006994/
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