Senate Bill 25-003 undermines Second Amendment in Colorado | OPINION
By: Leland Conway | Colorado Politics | March 4, 2025
A bill currently moving through the Colorado legislature poses a serious threat to the constitutional rights of Coloradans. Senate Bill 25-003 seeks to ban the buying, selling and manufacturing of semi-automatic firearms, used by thousands of law-abiding residents in the Centennial State to protect their families. This legislation not only jeopardizes the fundamental right to self-defense but also infringes on fundamental constitutional rights, potentially setting a dangerous legal precedent for the future of gun ownership.
This legislation is on track to be the most sweeping ban of its kind in the country. Supporters of the bill claim it will help curb gun violence, but in reality, the legislation, if passed into law, would have the opposite of its intended effect.
First, though proponents say banning certain firearms outright would make Colorado safer, they fail to realize the naivety of their argument. Analysis shows bans on so-called “assault weapons” historically have little impact on gun violence.
Second, the bill effectively targets law-abiding gun owners rather than criminals, who by definition do not follow the law. Blanket bans only affect law-abiding citizens who would otherwise responsibly own firearms and serve as the first line of defense for their families or in the absence of law enforcement. We have seen cities and states that introduce restrictive measures on firearms like Chicago and others across the country have contributed to increased gun violence and crime rates.
A ban on the legal purchase of firearms will have no impact on criminals’ intent on securing a firearm. These criminals often do not obtain firearms through legal processes, and according to a March 2024 Department of Justice (DOJ) report, a majority of criminals acquire firearms through illegal channels. This law will prohibit the ability of law-abiding, responsible Coloradans to secure a self-defense weapon to protect themselves.
The fact is millions of Americans rely on certain types of semiautomatic firearms for their self-defense, and a blanket ban on these tools puts responsible Coloradans at a disadvantage in protecting themselves and their families. Law-abiding gun owners, including concealed carry permit holders, who undergo various firearm training requirements are among the most law-abiding demographics in the nation, with lower crime rates than even police officers.
A growing group of self-defense advocates have called for the legislature to abandon this dangerous attempt to undermine gun rights. The U.S. Concealed Carry Association For Saving Lives Action Fund, supported by the nation’s largest and fastest-growing organization dedicated to responsible gun ownership, recently hosted a rally in Lakewood for gun owners to vocalize their opposition. The overwhelming turnout signals momentum for Coloradans to defend their constitutional freedoms. Thousands more have sent letters directly to Gov. Jared Polis, urging him to oppose this misguided legislation.
Read the full article from Colorado Politics HERE