Colorado implements strict gun control measures requiring eligibility cards for certain semiautomatic weapons, sparking debate about Second Amendment rights and public safety.
Key Takeaways
- Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed legislation requiring background checks and eligibility cards for purchasing certain semiautomatic firearms, including AR-15s and AK-47s.
- The law mandates completion of a 12-hour safety course (or 4-hour course for those with hunters’ training) and will take effect August 1, 2026.
- Common hunting rifles, most handguns, and shotguns are exempt from the new restrictions.
- Gun advocacy groups like the Colorado State Shooting Association and Rocky Mountain Gun Owners are exploring legal challenges to the law.
- While proponents claim the law targets weapons commonly used in mass shootings, critics argue it infringes on constitutional rights and makes firearm ownership financially inaccessible.
New Requirements for Semiautomatic Firearm Purchases
Governor Jared Polis has signed legislation creating a new eligibility card system for Coloradans seeking to purchase certain semiautomatic firearms. The law specifically targets semiautomatic weapons with detachable magazines, such as AR-15 and AK-47 style rifles. Under the new regulations, prospective buyers must complete a training course, pass a background check, and obtain an eligibility card from their county sheriff before purchasing these firearms. Once implemented, names of eligible individuals will be entered into a state database for verification during purchase.
The law makes an important distinction by specifically exempting shotguns, common hunting rifles, and most handguns from these restrictions. This targeted approach focuses on weapons that supporters argue are commonly used in mass shootings. Critics, however, point out that the law does nothing to prevent criminals from acquiring banned firearms through illegal means, creating burdens only for law-abiding citizens seeking to exercise their constitutional rights.
“This isn’t about safety — it’s about control.” — @MrColionNoir slams Colorado’s new gun law as a power grab, not protection. https://t.co/nqNss0tmls
— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) April 14, 2025
Training Requirements and Implementation Timeline
The pathway to obtaining an eligibility card includes completing an extensive safety course that covers firearm deaths related to mental illness, Colorado’s red flag law, and victim awareness. Standard applicants must complete a 12-hour training course, while those who have completed hunters’ training may qualify for a shortened 4-hour course. Governor Polis has stated he aims to keep training costs under $200 and is exploring financial assistance options, though critics argue these requirements still create financial barriers to firearm ownership. “I am focused on improving public safety and making Colorado one of the top ten safest states in the country. This bill ensures that our Second Amendment rights are protected and that Coloradans can continue to purchase the gun of their choice for sport, hunting, self-defense, or home defense,” explained Polis.
The legislation takes effect on August 1, 2026, giving authorities time to establish the infrastructure needed to implement the eligibility card system. The process bears similarities to Illinois’ Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card system but is more narrowly applied to specific categories of firearms. Federal law prevents Coloradans from bypassing these restrictions by purchasing guns in other states, as interstate transfers must comply with the laws of the buyer’s home state.
Opposition and Potential Legal Challenges
Gun rights advocacy groups have strongly condemned the legislation and are preparing legal challenges. The Colorado State Shooting Association and Rocky Mountain Gun Owners have both expressed opposition to the law, citing concerns about funding, staffing, fairness, and constitutionality. These organizations argue that the eligibility card system creates an undue burden on law-abiding citizens exercising their Second Amendment rights, effectively forcing Coloradans to “buy back” their constitutional freedoms.
The legislation has intensified Colorado’s ongoing debate about gun rights and public safety. While the original bill proposed an outright ban on assault weapons, amendments resulted in the current system allowing ownership with verification and training. The law also includes provisions banning rapid-fire conversion devices like bump stocks. Significantly, the restrictions do not affect existing gun owners but apply only to new purchases of the specified semiautomatic firearms with detachable magazines.
Legislative Background and Additional Measures
This law is part of a broader push for gun control in Colorado led by Democrats who control the state legislature. State Representative Tom Sullivan, whose son was killed in the Aurora theater shooting, was a key sponsor of the bill and has been instrumental in passing nearly two dozen gun laws since 2019. Supporters frame these measures as necessary public health interventions to reduce gun violence, while critics see them as gradual erosion of Second Amendment protections.
Along with the eligibility card system, Governor Polis also signed Senate Bill 25-059 to improve the state’s response to mass shootings. This complementary legislation requires the Division of Criminal Justice to seek federal or other grant money to support victim services. Supporters view these measures as comprehensive approaches to addressing gun violence, while opponents argue they disproportionately burden responsible gun owners without effectively targeting criminal behavior.
Sources:
Polis signs watered-down semiautomatic gun restriction bill into law
Colorado now has one of the most restrictive gun laws in the country
Colorado to Require ‘Eligibility Card’ for Would-Be AR-15 Purchasers
