DENVER — A bill banning 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 Aurora theater shooting, is one of the sponsors.
He says the bill will expand on a 2013 Colorado law that prohibited the sale and transfer of magazines that hold more than 15 rounds.
Sullivan says in spite of the 2013 law, 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," Sullivan said.
Learn more about the debate on the bill after midnight, in the video player below:
Before the bill passed, 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 say 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 says he worries it 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 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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