Colorado’s latest gun-control measure (SB 25-003) is facing growing backlash because it infringes on constitutional rights and places undue burdens on law-abiding citizens.
SB 25-003, signed into law by Gov. Jared Polis (D), will take effect on August 1, 2026. The law mandates that prospective buyers of semi-automatic rifles, shotguns or handguns that are equipped with detachable magazines must complete safety training courses, pass written and practical tests, and obtain sheriff-issued eligibility permits before making a purchase. The measure also regulates the sale, transfer and manufacture of most semi-automatic firearms, with noncompliance punishable under state law.
Critics, including members of Colorado’s Republican caucus, view the legislation as a direct assault on the Second Amendment. They argue that the new requirements transform a fundamental right into a state-administered privilege, accessible only through compliance with layers of regulations, fees and bureaucratic red tape.
“The right to keep and bear arms is not a privilege you buy through permits, fees, and red tape. It is an unalienable Constitutional right,” said State Rep. Ty Winter (R), one of the most vocal opponents of SB 25-003. “Colorado’s new gun law is an assault on that right and I will fight it every step of the way.”
In response to the law’s passage, Colorado Republicans have formally appealed to the state’s Supreme Court and to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, urging her to investigate the legality of SB 25-003 under federal constitutional standards. They cite recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions—notably New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen (2022)—which reaffirms that the right to bear arms is not a second-class right.
In their appeal, Republican lawmakers argue that SB25-003 appears to violate the clear precedents established by the high court. These precedents emphasize that any regulation burdening the Second Amendment must be deeply rooted in the nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation—a standard the Colorado law fails to meet.
Meanwhile, supporters of SB 25-003, mainly from the Democratic majority in the Colorado legislature, defend the law as a necessary step toward addressing “the public health crisis that is gun violence,” as if law-abiding citizens are behind crimes.
The gun-control law is focused on regulating the lawful purchase of firearms; after all, it does not target criminals who are unlikely to follow the new permitting procedures.
“They don’t actually want to stop crime,” said Winter. “We’re horrible on crime in Colorado. We’re number one in bank robberies. I think we’re number two in auto theft. We’ve got kids overdosing from fentanyl every day, and all they talk about is guns—how guns are a health issue in Colorado. But they don’t ever want to go after criminals.”
This criticism is amplified by the slow movement on other legislative efforts aimed at crime prevention. HB 1171, which proposes stronger penalties for certain violent crimes, has languished in committee, further fueling accusations that the legislature prioritizes gun control over targeting criminal behavior.
Gun dealers and shooting range owners across Colorado, who already operate under stringent background check requirements and established safety measures, are also preparing for the potential impact of the new law. Many anticipate significant declines in firearm sales and worry about the economic consequences for small businesses already trying to stay afloat in a heavily regulated environment.
Nevertheless, the passage of SB 25-003 has energized grassroots Second Amendment practitioners, who are organizing protests, educational campaigns and voter registration drives ahead of the 2026 elections. Many see the legislation as a catalyst for broader political mobilization around gun rights in Colorado and beyond.
National observers are watching the developments closely, as Colorado has historically been viewed as a bellwether for gun policy debates. Whether upheld or struck down, the law’s fate could influence similar legislation proposed in other states.
For now, the battle lines are drawn. Colorado Republicans and Second Amendment advocates are preparing for a protracted legal fight, confident that the courts will ultimately find SB 25-003 incompatible with the U.S. Constitution.
“Gun rights aren’t a red or blue issue. Gun rights are an American issue. We forget what the Constitution is for—it’s not to go hunting,” said Winter. “It’s not to go target shooting. It’s to keep a nation free. It’s to keep a government in check. And I think that’s the first thing our colleagues across the aisle don’t realize.”
