DENVER — A bill that would ban the manufacture, distribution, transfer, sale or purchase of semiautomatic weapons with detachable magazines was given preliminary approval by the Colorado Senate just before 2 a.m. Friday.
Senate Bill 25-003 would also prohibit the sale or purchase of accessories that increase how many rounds a semiautomatic firearm can shoot.
State Sen. Tom Sullivan, D-Aurora, who lost his son in the 2012 Aurora theater shooting, is one of the sponsors. He said the bill would expand on a 2013 Colorado law that prohibited the sale and transfer of magazines that hold more than 15 rounds.
In spite of the 2013 law, Sullivan said people are still able to access these types of weapons.
"These 100-round drums, for the life of me, I can't figure out what they're for other than walking into places like the movie theater, a King Soopers, and a school and trying to kill as many people as you can," he said.
- Watch our initial coverage of the bill in the video player below
Before the bill passed Friday, lawmakers made some notable changes to the legislation.
Multiple amendments were added, including an exemption for people who take an additional gun safety training course. The course must include information on firearm deaths associated with mental illness, Colorado’s red flag law, and victim awareness and empathy.
Before they can take the course, applicants must undergo a criminal background check and obtain a firearms safety course eligibility card.
Opponents said the bill infringes on Second Amendment rights.
"It shows a huge lack of respect for the people of Colorado and for their rights,” said Ian Escalante, executive director of the Rocky Mountain Gun Owners.
Senate Republican leader Paul Lundeen worries the legislation will hurt small gun shops if would-by gun buyers hold off on purchases.
“I think there will be significant friction,” Lundeen said. “People that would have bought a firearm and may or may not buy the firearm.”
Anyone who violates the proposed law would face a Class 2 misdemeanor on the first offense and a Class 6 felony on second or subsequent offenses.
SB25-003 would not apply to any firearms Coloradans already own.
The measure passed on a voice vote, meaning lawmakers did not have to go on the record with their support or opposition.
The Senate must take one final vote on the bill, when lawmakers will have to go on the record. If it passes, it will be sent to the Colorado House of Representatives for consideration.
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