- Mandatory safety courses and background checks implemented
- Full implementation delayed until August 2026
- Lawmakers cite Club Q and Columbine tragedies as motivation
- Gun rights groups threaten constitutional challenges
- Compromise version removes outright semiautomatic sales ban
Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed landmark firearm legislation Thursday establishing new purchasing requirements for semiautomatic weapons. The measure marks the state's most significant gun control effort since the 2013 theater shooting that killed 12 people, including the son of bill sponsor Senator Tom Sullivan.
Firearm safety experts note the three-year implementation timeline allows state agencies to develop standardized training curricula. Preliminary estimates suggest certification courses could cost buyers $85-$150, excluding range fees. Background check processing times may extend to 14 business days during peak application periods.
Law enforcement leaders remain divided on enforcement logistics. Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen praised the safety training component, telling reporters: 'We respond to dozens of accidental discharges annually. Proper handling education saves lives.' Conversely, El Paso County Sheriff Roy Boyd vowed non-enforcement, calling the law 'constitutionally dubious bureaucracy.'
The legislation's magazine modification requirements present technical challenges. While original proposals banned detachable magazines outright, the final version permits modified fixed-magazine systems requiring tools for removal. Firearm engineers caution that amateur installation attempts could create dangerous malfunctions.
Regional comparisons reveal Colorado's centrist approach. Unlike California's assault weapons ban, the Rocky Mountain compromise allows modified semiautomatics. However, it exceeds Utah's permitless carry policies, reflecting Colorado's evolving political demographics. Urban counties report 68% approval ratings versus 29% in rural districts.
Industry analysts predict short-term sales surges as buyers rush to acquire firearms before restrictions take effect. Local gun shops reported 300% inventory turnover increases this week. 'We're selling more AR-15s in three days than we typically move in six months,' said Aurora Arms manager Clint Weber.