By: Friedrich Seiltgen

Copyright © 2025

The war on the Second Amendment in Colorado is in full swing. Governor Jared Polis signed Senate Bill 3 into law, which, starting in August 2026, will outlaw the manufacture, sale, and purchase of certain semiautomatic firearms capable of accepting detachable magazines.

The new law defines a “specified semiautomatic firearm” as a semiautomatic rifle, semiautomatic shotgun with a detachable magazine, or gas-operated semiautomatic handgun with a detachable magazine.

“I really think this will make Colorado safer,” quoted Polis as he signed the bill.

The banned weapons would only be available for purchase to anyone who is otherwise allowed to purchase a gun if they have a magazine with a maximum capacity of 15 rounds that is permanently welded, epoxied, or soldered on. The bill also bans rapid-fire trigger devices, like bump stocks, and makes the unlawful sale, transfer, or possession of a large-capacity magazine a class 1 misdemeanor. An exception allows for the banned weapons to be manufactured in Colorado for military, law enforcement, corrections officers, Gunsmiths, or an armored-vehicle business.

The prohibition does not apply to the transfer or sale of a specified semiautomatic firearm to, and receipt or purchase of a specified semiautomatic firearm by, a person who:

  • 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, if they completed an extended firearms safety course.
  • The purchaser 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.

Other exceptions include:

  • A transfer that occurs by operation of law or because of the death of a person.
  • Certain firearms for use solely as a film prop.

The bill lists the requirements for a basic firearms safety course and an extended firearms safety course. To enroll in a basic or extended firearms safety course, a person must hold a valid firearms safety course eligibility card. The bill sets the requirements for being issued a firearms course card, which includes completing a fingerprint-based criminal history background check and receiving an eligibility slip from their county sheriff, who could deny it if they believed the person was dangerous.

When asked for comment, Huey Laugesen with the Colorado State Shooting Association said:

“This is going to put firearm ownership out of reach for a lot of people.   The expense associated with obtaining a permit, training, and background checks infringes on people’s constitutional right to keep and bear arms. Polis might think he’s scoring points with the anti-gun crowd, but as far as we’re concerned, he has just handed us a rallying cry. This fight is far from over, and we’re playing for keeps.”

Laugesen says the Colorado State Shooting Association plans to sue.

That’s all for now, folks! Please keep sending your questions, tips, and article ideas. And as always – “Let’s Be Careful Out There.”

Friedrich Seiltgen is a retired Master Police Officer with 20 years of service with the Orlando Police Department. His writing has appeared in RECOIL, www.floridajolt.com, The Counterterrorist Magazine, American Thinker, Soldier of Fortune, Homeland Security Today, Off Grid, and The Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International.

Contact him at [email protected].