A significant and controversial piece of legislation is making its way through Colorado’s political landscape — Senate Bill 3 (SB 3), widely regarded as the most extensive gun control measure in the state’s history. This proposed law, which recently passed the Colorado Senate, now heads to the state’s House for further debate. SB 3 specifically targets semiautomatic firearms, including a broad range of gas-operated rifles and shotguns. If passed, the bill would prohibit the manufacture, sale, and purchase of these weapons, with only a few exceptions for transfers to heirs, out-of-state residents, or licensed firearms dealers.
The bill defines “specified semiautomatic firearms” as those equipped with detachable magazines, including semiautomatic rifles, shotguns, and handguns. Under SB 3, the distribution and ownership of these weapons would be strictly regulated. However, some concessions were made before the bill cleared the Senate. Certain exemptions were included for prospective gun buyers who comply with rigorous prerequisites like extensive training and a vetting process similar to the requirements for obtaining a concealed carry permit. Despite these modifications, the bill remains highly divisive, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Rocky Mountain Gun Owners President Dudley Brown has been one of the bill’s most vocal opponents. Following the bill’s passage in the Senate, Brown criticized a last-minute amendment that introduced a firearms owner identification card requirement, comparing Colorado’s efforts to surpass California in adopting some of the nation’s strictest gun control laws. Brown vowed to fight against the bill as it moves through the legislative process, arguing that it infringes on Second Amendment rights and imposes excessive restrictions on law-abiding gun owners.
The push for this ban comes despite statistics showing that rifles, including the much-debated AR-15 and other so-called “assault weapons,” accounted for only a small fraction of gun-related homicides in the United States. According to data from PEW Research, rifles were involved in just four percent of gun murders in 2023, while shotguns were responsible for only one percent. Despite these figures, proponents of the bill insist that banning semiautomatic weapons is a necessary step to curb gun violence and enhance public safety in Colorado.
As the debate continues, SB 3’s future remains uncertain. The bill has sparked a broader conversation on gun control, individual rights, and public safety, drawing national attention to Colorado’s legislative efforts. Whether this sweeping measure becomes law or faces defeat in the House, it underscores the deep divide in American politics over how best to address gun violence without infringing on constitutional freedoms.