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The Colorado Senate just passed Senate Bill 25-003, a bill that started as a near-total ban on semi-automatic firearms and morphed into a permit-to-purchase scheme. The vote was 19-15, and it faced bipartisan opposition, signaling that even some Democrats aren’t fully on board with this legislation.
This bill isn’t just another piece of gun control—it’s a strategic attack on Second Amendment rights, hiding behind the guise of “public safety.” And if you’re not paying attention, you might miss the alarming implications.
Table of contents
What’s in Senate Bill 25-003?
Senate Bill 25-003 bans “specified semiautomatic firearms,” which the bill defines as:
- A semiautomatic rifle or shotgun with a detachable magazine
- A gas-operated semiautomatic handgun with a detachable magazine
These platforms have been around for over a century and are clearly “in common use”—a standard set by the District of Columbia v. Heller decision. Yet, the bill targets them under the pretext of reducing violence, ignoring the fact that millions of law-abiding Americans responsibly own these firearms.
The Permit-to-Purchase Loophole
After heavy criticism, lawmakers amended the bill to include a permit-to-purchase system, which grants exemptions for buying banned firearms. But the requirements are no joke:
- 4 hours of firearms education for those who already have a Hunter’s Safety Course or concealed carry permit.
- 12 hours of education for those without either credential.
This isn’t about safety—it’s about creating barriers. By making the process so complicated, they’re betting that fewer people will bother to apply. And that’s the goal: chilling lawful gun ownership.
Exceptions and Loopholes—But Not for You
The bill’s exceptions are telling. You can transfer a banned firearm to:
- An heir
- An individual residing in another state
- A federally licensed firearm dealer
It also exempts law enforcement agencies, military forces, armored vehicle businesses, gunsmiths, and educational programs. Notice a pattern? The government and its affiliates are off the hook.
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The bill even allows these firearms to be used as props in films—because apparently, they’re only dangerous in the hands of law-abiding citizens.
Serious Penalties Await
Violating the terms of this law isn’t just a slap on the wrist. If you:
- Manufacture, distribute, transfer, sell, or purchase a specified semiautomatic firearm, you’re looking at a Class 2 misdemeanor.
- A second or subsequent offense bumps it up to a Class 6 felony.
Get convicted, and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation will block you from buying any firearm for five years. If it’s a felony conviction, you’ll face a lifetime firearm ban.
This is how they plan to disarm law-abiding citizens—by turning them into criminals over paperwork.
Unconstitutional Overreach? You Bet.
This bill flies in the face of the Second Amendment and the District of Columbia v. Heller decision, which explicitly protects firearms “in common use.” The permit-to-purchase requirement is just a backdoor registration scheme, putting more hurdles between citizens and their constitutional rights.
The National Rifle Association (NRA) calls this out for what it is—unconstitutional and a blatant attempt at civilian disarmament. And they’re right. The bill’s complicated education requirements, severe penalties, and selective exemptions are designed to discourage lawful ownership while letting the government keep its arsenal untouched.
Take Action—Your Rights Depend on It
This bill is now moving to the Colorado House, where it’s crucial to make your voice heard. Contact your Representative and let them know that this legislation is an unconstitutional assault on your Second Amendment rights.
You can also contact Governor Jared Polis at (303) 866-2471 or by email at Governorpolis@state.co.us. Tell him to veto this overreaching legislation.
If you’re a Colorado resident—or even if you’re just concerned about the slippery slope of gun control—stay engaged.
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Shows how much they know about the law. YOU CAN NOT transfer ANY firearm legally to a resident of another state without going through a FFL dealer ! The only “exception” to that rule is interstate succession of a firearm in a will, IF it is legal in that state ! It is outlined in title 18 USC !
I had this argument with Bruen when he was Council for the NY State Police ! Yes, that Bruen from the Scotus case. He insisted that you could do this, and the next time i had him on the phone, i read that part of the law to showed you couldnt ! The NY State web site was implying that you could sell your NY registered “assault weapon” to someone in another state, and with that proof, they would remove it from the registry. However, if you did that, it was a federal crime if you did it direct without a FFL …
But guns as ‘movie props’ are OK? How quickly they brush aside Alec Baldwin’s fatal handling of single action revolver on the set of ‘Rust’.
What a bunch of cartoon characters.
I will keep saying this until people start getting their heads out of their anus and start listening!
The Communist Progressive Liberal Criminals, aka DEMONKRATS, do not hate guns, they only hate “gun owners”, because “they” want all the guns to point at you and enforce their tyranny!
SO pay attention!
What all these people that want to restrict law abiding citizens gun rights don’t understand, is that the criminals will be the only ones that will have guns, including the semi auto weapons, that are trying to be taken away from us. If it keeps on we will be left with sling shots as our only defense against the criminals. Hitler started out by taking guns away from law abiding citizens. This was his way of having total control.
“Gas operated semi-automatic handgun? Does that mean I’m off the hook with my 1911-style 45 but not my Wildey 45 win mag?
once you allow permits banning guns will be easy, pull the permits and those people will be instant criminals. also they will know who owns what and where they are!